Dykstra Naval Architects

What Dykstra Naval Architects does

Dykstra Naval Architects is a Dutch private limited company (Gerard Dijkstra & Partners B.V., CoC 33124728) founded in 1969 by Gerard Dykstra and headquartered at Kruithuisstraat 21, Amsterdam, with a secondary office in Southwest Harbor, Maine, USA. The firm specializes in naval architecture and marine engineering for high-performance and classic sailing yachts and vessels, working across concept design, exterior styling, naval architecture, and refit engineering for projects ranging from 30m production cruisers to 140m+ superyachts.

Its core technology is the proprietary Dynarig system — free-standing rotating carbon-fibre masts with individually controlled sails — first implemented on the 88m Maltese Falcon and now deployed on vessels including Black Pearl (106m), Greenpeace's forthcoming 75m sailing vessel, and the 57m Echo Yachts catamaran. This is supplemented by an in-house Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) developed with the Wolfson Unit, CFD analysis, and physical model testing in wind tunnels and towing tanks. Recent innovation has centred on zero-emission concepts: the 69m SY Zero (launched 2026) and the WASP/VEER wind-assisted and hydrogen-fuel-cell cargo-ship platforms.

The firm operates a bespoke professional services model: every engagement is a custom, multi-year, project-based contract with no public pricing, sold directly to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, shipyards, governments, and NGOs via relationship-driven field sales, industry reputation, and presence at major shows (Monaco, Palma). The boutique team of ~8 naval architects is led by CEO/owner Thys Nikkels (with the firm since 1991, CEO since 2004) and Partner Mark Leslie-Miller (since 2023). Customer segments span UHNW owners, environmental organizations (Greenpeace, Foundation Zero), naval/maritime training institutions (Royal Navy of Oman, Brazilian Navy), and sustainable-shipping startups (Clippership).

Name

Dykstra Naval Architects

Legal name

Gerard Dijkstra & Partners B.V.

Website

https://dykstra-na.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dykstra Naval Architects is a 1969-founded, Amsterdam-based (~8-person) naval architecture firm designing custom high-performance and classic sailing yachts for ultra-high-net-worth owners, governments, and NGOs, with proprietary Dynarig rotating-mast technology and a portfolio of 100+ award-winning vessels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval Architecture and Yacht Design Services

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Project Management & Owner’s Engineering / Technical Consultancy (Spec Writing, Bid Support, Site Support) (IMAJAGAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Custom Yacht Building & One-Off Projects (IMAJAEAL), Semi-Custom Luxury Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAA), Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM)

Keywords

• Naval architecture services
• Yacht design
• Superyacht design
• Marine engineering
• Sailing vessel design

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Naval Architecture & Design Services: Custom naval architecture and yacht design services for superyachts, including concept design, naval architecture, exterior styling, and engineering for both new builds and refits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dykstra Naval Architects provides bespoke naval architecture, concept design, exterior styling, and engineering services for classic and modern performance sailing yachts and vessels, ranging from semi-custom cruising yachts (Bestevaer and Bestewind series) to large superyachts, J-Class restorations, and innovative wind-assisted commercial ship concepts. Each engagement is a custom multi-year design project delivered directly to yacht owners, shipyards, navies, NGOs, and commercial operators.

Product overview

Dykstra Naval Architects is a naval architecture firm founded in 1969 specializing in the design, redesign, and engineering of classic and modern performance sailing yachts and vessels. The company offers preliminary and concept designs for both pleasure and commercially operated yachts. The product portfolio includes proprietary Dynarig technology (rotating mast sail system), the Bestevaer and Bestewind semi-custom cruising yacht series, J-Class yacht restorations and new builds, large superyachts (Big Class), wind-assisted propulsion concepts (WASP), zero-emission cargo vessel concepts (VEER), square-rigged ships, and wing mast concepts. The firm also provides yacht refit and redesign services. The Dynarig system represents the core proprietary technology enabling automated sail handling on vessels like Maltese Falcon and Black Pearl.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bestevaer Series
• Bestewind Series
• J-Class Yachts
• Big Class Yachts
• Square Rigged Ships
• Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion (WASP)
• VEER Sailing Cargo Ship
• Wing 100 Concept
• Yacht Refit and Redesign Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Maltese Falcon: All 2,900 square meter sails can be set in 7 minutes, tacking in 90 seconds
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vripack Yacht DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Vripack handled exterior and interior design for SY Zero (69m renewables-powered vessel), collaborating with Dykstra Naval Architects for naval architecture. Long-standing partnership on multiple superyacht projects.
• Vitters ShipyardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Builder of SY Zero, responsible for construction and mast stepping. Long-term partner for multiple superyacht projects.
• KM YachtbuilderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Construction of 24-meter zero-emission autonomous cargo vessel for Clippership. Also builds Bestevaer series yachts.
• Freire ShipyardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Selected by Greenpeace International after exhaustive tender process for 75m sailing vessel. Known for high technical, environmental, sustainability, and human rights standards.
• Longitude EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Partnered for innovative system design and alternate fuels for Greenpeace 75m vessel.
• Marine Construction Management NewportminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction management for SY Zero project.
• Echo YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian superyacht builder constructing world's largest sailing catamaran (57m). Partnership with Dykstra Naval Architects and One2Three Naval Architects.
• One2Three Naval ArchitectscoreTechnology or IntegrationAustralian aluminium multihull experts providing detailed naval architecture and structural design for 57m catamaran project.
• GlostencoreTechnology or IntegrationSeattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm completed structural engineering for Clippership project.
• Southern SparscoreTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of Dynarig systems, proven on Maltese Falcon and Black Pearl, now used for Greenpeace 75m vessel.
• Royal HuismancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch superyacht builder responsible for multiple projects including Aquarius 65m, Hetairos refit, and Windjammer Project.
• Damen ShipyardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilt Stad Amsterdam (2000), Cisne Branco, and Shabab Oman II. Major partner for tall ship and training vessel projects.
• Baltic YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilt Hetairos and Perseverance. Finnish builder known for high-performance sailing yachts.
• Pendennis ShipyardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK shipyard that carried out Adix refit (2013) and Shamrock V refit. Major restoration partner.
• Spirit YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based yard building modern classic yachts including Falcon Study (Q Class).
• Vaan YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable electric catamaran builder using circular economy principles. Dykstra provides naval architecture for R5 and future R6/R8 models.
• Alan C. McClure AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designers with Dykstra Naval Architects on VEER zero-emission sailing cargo ship project.
• Foundation ZerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioning organization for SY Zero - the groundbreaking 69m zero-emissions renewables-powered vessel. Foundation leads the project with open-source data sharing.
• J-Class AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDykstra developed the VPP-based rating system for J-Class yachts with the Wolfson Unit in Southampton. Deep involvement in J-Class revival and fleet management.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Glosten: Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering firm. Already a documented subcontractor on Clippership and operates in the same small-firm specialist design space, including sustainable cargo vessel work.
• Philippe Briand Yacht Design: French/UK-based naval architect known for performance sailing yachts and superyachts, with deep experience in semi-custom and custom designs for leading yards — directly comparable client roster and design philosophy.
• Hoek Design Naval Architects: Amsterdam-based independent naval architecture firm specializing in classic and modern performance sailing yachts and superyachts — the closest geographic and product peer, with overlapping customer base among HNW owners and similar Bestevaer-era heritage.
• Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design: US-based yacht design firm focused on high-performance sailing yachts, supermaxis and offshore racers — comparable technical profile (VPP, CFD-driven design) and similar HNW / racing clientele.
• German Frers Yacht Design: Argentinian/Italian naval architect with a 60+ year portfolio of sailing yachts and superyachts, including multiple award winners. Comparable legacy brand, comparable HNW customer base.
• Farr Yacht Design: International sailing yacht design firm (US/Australia/NZ) with deep IOR, IMS, and IRC-era pedigree; competes for performance sailing superyacht and one-off design commissions globally.
• Vripack Yacht Design: Dutch yacht design studio offering naval architecture, exterior and interior design for motoryachts and sailing yachts up to 70m+. Already a documented partner on SY Zero, Vripack competes head-to-head with Dykstra on sailing superyacht commissions.
• Dubois Naval Architects: UK-based performance sailing yacht naval architects with a portfolio of J-Class, superyacht and large cruising yacht designs. Long-standing direct competitor in the premium custom sailing yacht segment.

Broad incumbents

• Winch Design: Large UK-based multidisciplinary yacht design house covering exterior, interior and naval architecture for sailing and motor superyachts up to 100m+. Broader portfolio and larger headcount than Dykstra, but competes for the same premium commissions.

Emerging players

• Vaan Yachts: Dutch builder of sustainable aluminium catamarans using recycled materials and circular-economy design. Dykstra is its naval architecture partner on R5/R6/R8 — represents the emerging sustainable-yacht segment that overlaps with Dykstra's zero-emission push.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DykstraNavalArchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dykstra-naval-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Dykstra Naval Architects