Performance by Design

Although the primary audience for this book is undergraduate university students studying naval architecture and marine engineering, the content will certainly be of interest to most designers working with high-speed craft.

Donald Blount has worked as a naval architect in the marine industry since 1954 while studying part-time to earn his mechanical engineering degree. The diversity of working opportunities provided real-world experiences for practical knowledge of hydrodynamics for the design of high-performance vessels. His early years began with model testing at a Navy research facility learning about predicting hull resistance which was followed by experimental validation. He then moved on to sea trials of ships, submarines and high-speed craft. 

High-speed craft became his passion in the late 1960s when he volunteered to provide direct technical support to naval combatants operating in littoral waters. This passion has not waned with continuing work for research to extend technology and design of military vessels for special operations. 

Eventually, in 1988 Donald established his design firm, Donald L. Blount and Associates, Inc. offering naval architecture and marine engineering design and consulting services. His company continues to conduct research to extend both hydrodynamic and aerodynamic technologies to support the design of performance marine vessels. This book captures the knowledge base of this naval architect with the hope of enticing students to follow the passion of high-performance marine vessels operating in open seas.