Triangle Superstructure • 3× NACA 0030 Legs • Flat-Pack for 40' Container • Qty 10 Production Run
This MVP preserves your core geometry and hydrodynamic concept while engineering all structural components to flat-pack into a single standard 40' shipping container. The superstructure is a 70'×70'×35' isosceles triangle space-frame, 7 ft floor-to-ceiling, fully enclosed with marine acrylic glazing. Three vertical NACA 0030 legs provide small-waterplane-area buoyancy, dynamic stabilizers damp pitch/roll underway, and helical tension-leg anchors enable near-stationary parking. All primary structural members are CNC-cut and robotically welded in China from marine-grade aluminum, shipped as a bolt-together kit, and finished in the Caribbean.
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Triangle Sides (L/R) | 70 ft | Isosceles layout, point forward |
| Triangle Base (Aft) | 35 ft | 2:1 aspect ratio for aerodynamic/hydrodynamic efficiency |
| Altitude (Front to Back) | 67.8 ft | Geometric height of triangle floor plan |
| Floor Area | 1,185 ft² | Unobstructed interior truss layout |
| Ceiling Height | 7 ft | Floor-to-ceiling clear height |
| Legs (3×) | 19 ft L × 10 ft chord × 3 ft max thickness | NACA 0030 symmetric foil, leading edge forward |
| Leg Draft (Operating) | 9.5 ft (50%) | Top 9.5 ft enclosed within triangle floor structure |
| Rear Deck Extensions | 5 ft wide (L/R of dinghy) | Cantilevered aluminum grating deck |
| Dinghy Mount | 14 ft RIB + Yamaha HARMO | Transverse davit/rope system, wind-shielded aft center |
| Walkway Interfaces | Fore & Aft hardpoints | ISO-aligned coupling for tandem seastead connection underway |
Each NACA 0030 leg has a cross-sectional area of ~20.25 ft². With 9.5 ft submerged per leg, total submerged volume is 577 ft³. In seawater (64 lb/ft³), this yields 36,900 lb of buoyancy at exactly 50% draft.
| Condition | Displacement | Draft | Reserve Buoyancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightship (empty structure + fixed systems) | ~13,200 lb | ~3.4 ft (18%) | High |
| Design Operating Load | ~33,000 lb | 9.5 ft (50%) | 50% (legs half-submerged) |
| Max Safe Load (before deck immersion) | ~41,000 lb | ~11.8 ft (62%) | Reserved for storm ballast/safety margin |
| Component | Weight (lb) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum space frame & leg shells | 6,800 | 5083-H116 plate/extrusions, optimized rib spacing |
| Marine acrylic glazing & seals | 950 | 3/8"–1/2" Plexiglass, UV-coated, bolted gasket system |
| 6× RIM drive thrusters (1.5 ft dia) | 620 | ~4 kW each, integrated nozzles, SS hardware |
| 3× Stabilizer assemblies | 380 | Aluminum frame, composite skins, servo-tab actuators |
| Solar array & mounting | 1,150 | ~13.5 kW, low-profile rail system |
| Electrical, wiring, plumbing, HVAC | 900 | Marine-rated, lightweight PEX, mini-split heat pumps |
| Interior fit-out (flooring, cabinets, fixtures) | 1,400 | Marine plywood, honeycomb panels, modular furniture |
| Dinghy, outboard, davits & rigging | 480 | 14' RIB + Yamaha HARMO + dual rope/strap system |
| Lightship Total | ~12,680 | Before batteries, water, cargo, people |
| Available Payload Capacity | ~20,300 | To reach 33,000 lb design displacement (50% draft) |
Payload can be allocated to: LiFePO4 batteries (40–80 kWh = 800–1,600 lb), fresh water, provisions, personal cargo, and optional water ballast for extreme weather stability.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Roof Area Available | ~1,050 ft² (after edge clearances & mounts) |
| Panel Efficiency | 22–23% monocrystalline (bifacial optional) |
| Peak Array Output | 13.5 kW |
| Estimated Daily Yield (Caribbean) | 65–75 kWh/day (5.0–5.5 peak sun hours) |
| Battery Bank (Baseline) | 50 kWh LiFePO4 (expandable to 100 kWh) |
| Propulsion Power | 6× 4 kW RIM drives = 24 kW total |
| Cruising Speed / Consumption | 3–4 knots @ 6–10 kW (small waterplane + foil legs) |
| Hotel Load (AC, lights, comms, watermaker) | 2–4 kW average |
All structural components are engineered to nest and bolt together on-site. No field welding required for primary structure.
| Component | Packing Strategy | Max Packed Dimension |
|---|---|---|
| Triangle Truss Frame | 7× 10-ft modules per side. Flat lattice chords with gusset plates. Stacked. | 10' L × 2' W × 8" H per module |
| Floor & Roof Cassettes | 4'×8' aluminum sandwich panels with integrated stiffeners. Palletized. | 8' L × 4' W × 3" H |
| Leg Shells (3×) | Split into fore/aft halves along chord. 19-ft length fits container. Nested. | 19' L × 5' W × 1.5" H (flat shell) |
| Internal Leg Ribs/Braces | CNC-cut plates, bundled flat. | 3'×3' stacks |
| Stabilizers | Wings split at centerline, elevator detached. Flat-packed. | 6' L × 1.5' W |
| Hardware & Mounts | Marine SS bolts, flanges, thruster brackets, mooring eyes, sealant kits. Crated. | 2 pallets |
Total Packed Volume: ~1,850 ft³
Total Packed Weight (Structure Only): ~7,200 lb
Container: Standard 40' (39.5'×7.7'×7.9' internal, ~2,390 ft³, 58,000 lb payload limit)
Fits with ~22% volume margin and massive weight margin.
Pricing assumes a Chinese robotic marine fabrication facility using CNC plasma/laser cutting, robotic MIG/TIG welding on precision jigs, marine epoxy/anodized coating, and flat-pack crating. Based on current 5083-H116 aluminum markets and automated labor rates.
| Cost Category | Per Unit (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Aluminum (plate, extrusions, tube) | $24,500 | ~7,000 lb @ $3.50/lb marine grade |
| CNC Cutting & Robotic Welding | $18,000 | Automated cells, fixture amortization over 10 units |
| Surface Treatment & Coating | $6,500 | Chemical clean, anodize primer, marine polyurethane |
| Hardware & Fasteners | $8,200 | 316SS bolts, flanges, gaskets, sealant, alignment pins |
| QC, Jigs, Packaging & Crating | $5,800 | Dimensional verification, desiccant, steel crate frames |
| Factory Margin & Overhead | $11,500 | ~15% on volume run |
| Total Structural Kit | $74,500 | Per seastead, order of 10 units |