What DLBA does

DLBA (Donald L. Blount & Associates, Inc.) is a specialized naval architecture and marine engineering consulting firm founded in 1988 by Donald L. Blount, a former 35-year U.S. Navy civilian engineer. The firm provides professional services across five core disciplines: Design & Styling, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Construction Management, and Research & Development, serving clients from project inception through construction support. DLBA is a division of Gibbs & Cox, Inc., which was acquired by defense and technology company Leidos in 2021. The firm is headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, and operates with 11-50 employees.

The company's technical platform is built around computational engineering tools, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for hydrodynamic analysis validated against model test data within 3% error margin, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using Altair HyperWorks for structural analysis, and 3D modeling with VR visualization and 3D printing for client design review. DLBA maintains a proprietary database of performance data on over 2,500 vessels ranging from 20' to 150', which serves as a design reference asset. The firm has published over 100 technical papers, designed record-setting vessels including DESTRIERO (fastest Atlantic crossing at 53.09 knots), and counts 1 of 3 of the world's fastest yachts among its portfolio. Its service offering spans high-performance planing and stepped hulls, advanced propulsion systems including Volvo Penta IPS, electric propulsion, and autonomous vessel design (DARPA NOMARS program).

DLBA operates a project-based professional services revenue model with custom quotes tied to project scope and complexity. The firm serves four primary customer segments: luxury yacht and superyacht builders, recreational boat manufacturers, commercial marine and workboat operators, and government/defense agencies. Client engagement is direct and project-anchored, with the firm interacting with customers throughout the design spiral. The go-to-motion is enterprise field sales targeting yacht builders, government agencies (US Army Corps of Engineers, DARPA), and commercial marine operators. Distribution is direct professional services with no retail or self-service channels. The firm markets through industry conferences (FAST, IBEX, MACC, Fort Lauderdale Boat Show), technical webinars, white papers, and a monthly newsletter, with a focus on thought leadership content as a primary demand generation mechanism.

Name

DLBA

Legal name

Donald L. Blount & Associates, Inc.

Website

https://dlba-inc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DLBA is a naval architecture and marine engineering consulting firm specializing in high-performance marine craft design, serving yacht builders, commercial marine operators, and government agencies including DARPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers. It operates as a division of Leidos subsidiary Gibbs & Cox.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vausseroux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Marine Design Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for the design and construction management of motor yachts, fiberglass recreational boats, aluminum workboats, and high-performance marine craft. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements from project inception through construction support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DLBA is a naval architecture and marine engineering consulting firm that provides design, engineering, and construction management services for motor yachts, fiberglass recreational boats, aluminum workboats, and high-performance marine craft. The company supports clients from project inception through construction, with specialized expertise in hydrodynamics for planing hulls, stepped hulls, and advanced propulsion systems. DLBA operates as a division of Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (a Leidos company).

Product overview

DLBA is a naval architecture and marine engineering consulting firm that provides design and construction management services for motor yachts, fiberglass recreational boats, aluminum workboats, and high-performance marine craft. The company operates across five core service disciplines: Design & Styling, Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Construction Management, and Research & Development. Their portfolio includes record-setting high-speed race boats, commercial marine vessels, and luxury yachts. Notable completed projects include Jupiter 43 sportfish, Marquis M42 sportyacht, MY Serque motor yacht, ProJekt 54 aluminum boat, Thoroughbred Boats U23i, and the CRAB 2.0 coastal research amphibious buggy. DLBA is a division of Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (a Leidos company).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design & Styling Services

Quantifiable outcome

• CFD analysis correlated with model test data within 3% error margin
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Blue Gulf CatminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2021Collaboration with Blue Gulf Cat (UAE) on hydrodynamic design of a 42' high-speed catamaran with design top speed exceeding 65 knots.
• LeidosflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Leidos acquired Gibbs & Cox (parent of DLBA) in 2021. The acquisition brought together experts in naval architecture, hydrodynamics, composite structures, and manufacturing. Leidos contributes additional composite engineering capability and experience from Seahawk and Sea Hunter autonomous vessel programs.
• Gibbs & CoxflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Gibbs & Cox, the parent company of DLBA, is the largest naval architecture and marine engineering firm in the United States. Since founding in 1929, 24 classes of combatants and nearly 7,000 vessels have been built to G&C designs. DLBA operates as a division focusing on small craft and high-performance vessels.
• Virginia TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA partnered with Virginia Tech for the modernization of the towing carriage system for their ship model basin. Trade studies for the carriage upgrade started in 2019, and students used the new carriage for lab experiments in Spring 2022. DLBA team member Joe Messer is pursuing a Master's degree in Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech.
• Edinburgh DesignscoreTechnology or IntegrationDLBA partnered with Edinburgh Designs for the Virginia Tech towing carriage system modernization project.
• ProJekt BoatworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProJekt Boatworks is a collaboration between Coastal Craft and Jasper Marine to develop innovative aluminum boats for recreational markets. DLBA Naval Architects provides design and engineering for the ProJekt 54 featuring Volvo Penta IPS propulsion.
• Thoroughbred Boat CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA consulted on running surface and provided shaftline arrangement and tunnel geometry for the U23i luxury performance boat. Continuing with additional design and engineering work for new options.
• Volvo PentacoreTechnology or IntegrationVolvo Penta IPS propulsion is featured in multiple DLBA-designed vessels including the ProJekt 54, Van Dam's Dreamboat, and Thoroughbred boats.
• Hodgdon YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA provides ongoing engineering for Hodgdon Yachts including VALYRA and ZARKAVA yachts, with work including sea trialing, model testing, CFD analysis, and noise reduction engineering.
• Van Dam Custom BoatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Dreamboat - a 39-foot custom cold molded vessel with DLBA providing naval architecture, structures, and driveline engineering.
• Cruisers YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongtime relationship with DLBA providing naval architecture and structural design for Cantius 56 and Cantius 60 models, with new collaborations underway.
• Century BoatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA worked with Century team to develop the all-new 4100 CC center console boat design to very specific requirements.
• Duffie BoatworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA provides naval architecture and engineering support for new builds, with vetting for hull form focusing on efficiency and seakeeping.
• Almeida Yacht DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between DLBA and AYD on a new 60' yacht combining cruising and fishing design cues.
• Ritchie HowellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA provides naval architecture and design services including hull form development, machinery layouts, powering and performance development for Ritchie Howell custom sportfishing yachts.
• Haig Point TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA assists with repower engineering for ferry vessels including HAIG POINT IV (55') and previously HAIG POINT II.
• Lindell YachtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA partnered with Lindell Yachts for a new design in their growing product line.
• Norfolk Dredging CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLBA selected to support stability testing for crane barge NDC-160 for USCG Certificate of Inspection - third vessel in NDC fleet.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Glosten: Glosten is an independent naval architecture and marine engineering firm in Seattle serving commercial, government, and recreational marine clients with similar consulting, design, and engineering capabilities to DLBA. Both firms compete for high-performance craft, workboat, and government marine design work.
• Robert Allan Ltd. Robert Allan Ltd. is a Vancouver-based naval architecture firm specializing in working vessels, tugs, and patrol boats, directly overlapping DLBA's aluminum workboat and commercial marine segment. Both firms provide hull form design, structural engineering, and construction support for similar end markets.
• Diana Yacht Design: Diana Yacht Design is a Dutch superyacht design firm offering naval architecture, exterior, and interior design for luxury motor and sailing yachts. It competes with DLBA for high-end yacht builder clients and shares a similar high-performance, design-led positioning.
• Sparkman & Stephens: Sparkman & Stephens is a historic New York-based naval architecture firm with deep superyacht and offshore racing credentials. It is comparable to DLBA in providing premium design services to yacht builders and high-net-worth owners, though with greater sailing-yacht emphasis.
• Dubois Naval Architects: Dubois Naval Architects is a UK-based superyacht design house known for sailing and motor yacht naval architecture. It competes with DLBA for premium yacht design mandates and shares a focus on performance-led, customized vessel design.
• Farr Yacht Design: Farr Yacht Design is a performance-focused yacht design firm with deep hydrodynamic and CFD expertise, comparable to DLBA's planing and stepped-hull specialization. It serves a similar high-end yacht builder and racing client base with engineering-led design.
• Burness Corlett: Burness Corlett is a UK-based independent naval architecture and marine engineering consultancy serving superyacht, commercial, and offshore clients. It directly overlaps with DLBA on hull form design, structural engineering, and project consulting for similar vessel types.
• Philippe Briand: Philippe Briand is a France-based yacht designer offering naval architecture and exterior design for sailing and motor yachts. He is comparable to DLBA as a high-end, design-led independent competing for premium yacht builder engagements.

Broad incumbents

• BMT Group: BMT is a global maritime engineering, design, and consulting firm with a much broader service portfolio than DLBA. It competes for marine design and engineering work across defense, commercial shipping, and offshore, making it a broad incumbent rather than a niche specialist.
• Gibbs & Cox: Gibbs & Cox is DLBA's direct parent and the largest U.S. naval architecture and marine engineering firm, with deep defense and commercial vessel heritage. While DLBA operates as a division within G&C, G&C's broader naval architecture capabilities make it the closest corporate sibling and internal peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DLBANavalArchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/donald-l.-blount-and-associates-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/dlba.naval.architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DLBA