A SWATH trimaran that ships in one 40-foot container and assembles in days
The Triton MVP is a minimal viable seastead — the simplest, most affordable version of the full seastead concept that still delivers the core value proposition: a remarkably stable, self-sufficient home on the open water that can be manufactured overseas, shipped in a standard container, and assembled on-site with basic tools.
Small Waterplane Area Triple Hull design means your coffee stays in the cup. A desk on this vessel is more stable than on almost any yacht in its size class.
3 kW of solar, 15 kWh of LiFePO4 batteries, and a reverse-osmosis watermaker let you live off-grid indefinitely in the Caribbean sun.
Every part — foil hulls, truss frame, panels, and all systems — packs into a single standard 40-foot shipping container for affordable global deployment.
No welding required. Marine-aluminum extrusions and stainless hardware mean 2–3 handy people can assemble the structure in 1–2 weeks with basic hand tools.
SWATH stands for Small Waterplane Area Triple Hull. The three foil legs carry all the buoyancy deep below the surface, while only a small cross-section of each leg intersects the waterline. This means waves have very little surface area to push against, resulting in dramatically less motion than conventional boats.
In a conventional boat, the hull sits at the waterline with a large waterplane area — the bigger the footprint at the surface, the more wave energy couples into the vessel. Our design inverts this: the buoyancy bodies (NACA 0030 foils) are 7 feet wide but only the thin edges cross the waterline. The total waterplane area of all three legs combined is approximately 30 sq ft — compared to 200–400 sq ft for a conventional 35-foot vessel.
The result is a very long natural heave and pitch period (10+ seconds) that doesn't match typical Caribbean wave periods (4–7 seconds), so the platform simply doesn't respond to passing waves. Your desk stays level. Your coffee stays in the cup.
| Vessel Type | Roll | Pitch | Vertical Accel. | Desk Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull sailboat (35 ft) | ±15–20° | ±8–12° | 0.3–0.5 g | ⚠️ Difficult |
| Catamaran (35 ft) | ±8–12° | ±5–8° | 0.2–0.4 g | 🔶 Moderate |
| Trawler motor yacht (35 ft) | ±10–15° | ±6–10° | 0.2–0.4 g | 🔶 Moderate |
| Triton MVP SWATH | ±2–4° | ±1–3° | 0.05–0.1 g | ✅ Excellent |
* Estimates based on SWATH vessel performance data. Actual motion depends on sea state, heading, loading, and speed.
Each of the three legs uses a NACA 0030 symmetric hydrofoil profile — the same family of shapes used in aircraft wings and submarine sails, optimized here for low drag and high buoyancy at the vessel's operating speeds.
NACA 0030 symmetric hydrofoil cross-section — 7 ft chord, 2.1 ft maximum thickness at 30% chord.
The triangular platform sits approximately 7 feet above the waterline, supported by the three foil legs at each corner. A bolt-together aluminum truss frame 7 feet tall (floor to ceiling) provides the enclosed living space. The wide back wall is almost entirely glass for panoramic views.
Side profile view — not to scale. Platform sits 7 ft above waterline; foils extend ~6 ft below.
The triangular platform provides surprisingly comfortable living for two. The wide back section (18 ft) accommodates the queen berth, galley, and head, while the center of the vessel offers a dinette that doubles as a stable desk workspace. Forward areas taper to storage and utility use.
Floor plan — top view looking down. The back (18 ft wide) faces aft; the apex faces forward. All three foil leg attachment points are at the triangle corners.
Aft-port, 5 × 6.5 ft queen mattress with storage drawers underneath. Headboard against the panoramic back wall — wake up to ocean views.
Aft-starboard. 8 ft of counter with deep sink, induction cooktop, food-prep area, and upper cabinets. Compact marine fridge/freezer adjacent.
Center-aft. 4 × 4 ft wet room with marine toilet, hand sink, and shower. Ventilated with deck hatch and fan.
Center. Table with bench seating for two. Converts to a guest berth. This is the stable desk — minimal vessel motion here even in moderate seas.
Port and starboard lockers flanking the dinette, plus forward utility zone for dry goods, clothing, tools, and anchor gear. Under-berth drawers for heavier items.
Zone 2 houses batteries, inverter, watermaker, water tanks, and electrical panel — accessible but separated from the living area.
Every system is selected for reliability, efficiency, and Caribbean operating conditions. The MVP is designed for energy independence — no generator required.
Monocrystalline panels cover the entire roof (~300 ft²). In the Caribbean (5–6 peak sun hours), this generates 15–18 kWh/day. Enough for all house loads plus 2–3 hours of motoring daily. Panels are marine-grade with salt-resistant frames.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) for safety and longevity. 3,000+ cycle life. Powers all systems 24/7, with 2+ days of reserve even without sun. MPPT charge controller optimizes solar harvest. 3 kW pure sine wave inverter for AC loads.
Compact reverse-osmosis unit converts seawater to fresh drinking water. ~600 liters/day at full capacity, drawing only ~200W. 100-gallon freshwater tank for storage. More than enough for two people with conservative use (showers, cooking, drinking).
Two electric RIM-drive thrusters (12″ diameter), one on each side of the aft leg. 3–5 kW each, powered by the main battery bank. Provides 2–3 knot cruise speed with differential thrust steering. Silent operation, no exposed propellers. Upgradeable to full 6-thruster system.
GPS chartplotter, VHF marine radio, battery monitor, depth sounder. WiFi hotspot when in cellular range. All NMEA 2000 networked for future expansion. Shore power inlet for initial hookup or marina stays.
Compact marine fridge/freezer combo (~4 cu ft). High-efficiency DC compressor draws only 40–60W average. Can maintain freezer temps in Caribbean heat on minimal solar power.
| System | Avg Draw | Hours/Day | kWh/Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration | 50 W | 24 | 1.2 |
| Watermaker | 200 W | 4 | 0.8 |
| Lighting & electronics | 100 W | 8 | 0.8 |
| Cooking (induction) | 1,500 W | 1 | 1.5 |
| Misc (pumps, fans) | 50 W | 12 | 0.6 |
| House total | 4.9 kWh | ||
| Propulsion (optional) | 6,000 W | 2 | 12.0 |
| Solar generation | 15–18 kWh |
Every component is designed to fit within a standard 40-foot shipping container (internal: 39′5″ × 7′8″ × 7′10″). This enables affordable global manufacturing and deployment — build in China, ship to the Caribbean, assemble on-site.
Container packing plan — all foil hulls, frame segments, panels, windows, and systems fit within a single 40-foot container.
Unload container. Inventory parts. Prepare assembly area (dock, calm beach, or boatyard).
Assemble aluminum truss frame with bolted connections. Attach floor panels.
Join foil hull halves. Attach legs to platform. Install wall/roof panels and windows.
Install solar, batteries, watermaker, galley, head, furniture. Wire and plumb everything.
Launch. Ballast and trim. Systems checkout. Sea trials. Move aboard! 🎉
Assembly requirements: 2–3 people with basic mechanical skills. No welding — all connections are stainless-steel bolts and structural adhesive. Standard hand tools (wrenches, drill/driver, riveter, level). A detailed assembly manual with step-by-step photos is provided.
| Platform | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Isosceles triangle |
| Side beams | 35 ft each |
| Back beam (base) | 18 ft |
| Altitude (front to back) | 33.8 ft |
| Floor area | 304 sq ft |
| Truss height (floor to ceiling) | 7 ft |
| Floor elevation above waterline | ~7 ft |
| Frame material | 6061-T6 marine aluminum (bolt-together) |
| Enclosure | Aluminum-framed panels, polycarbonate, tempered glass |
| Foil Legs (×3) | |
| Profile | NACA 0030 (symmetric) |
| Length | 18 ft |
| Chord | 7 ft |
| Maximum thickness | 2.1 ft (30% of chord) |
| Cross-section area | ~9.8 ft² |
| Construction | Fiberglass composite, foam-core, internal ribs |
| Design draft (50%) | 9 ft below waterline |
| Bottom slope | 5° (fore higher than aft, for lift at speed) |
| Ladder | Integrated on above-water forward face |
| Displacement & Buoyancy | |
| Estimated displacement (loaded) | ~5 tons (11,000 lbs) |
| Buoyancy at 50% immersion | ~7.7 tons (16,900 lbs) |
| Reserve buoyancy | > 50% |
| Estimated draft at displacement | ~6 ft (33% immersion) |
| Propulsion (MVP) | |
| Thrusters | 2 × RIM drive, 12″ diameter |
| Motor power | 3–5 kW each |
| Cruise speed | 2–3 knots |
| Steering | Differential thrust (no rudder) |
| Daily range (solar budget) | 5–9 nm/day |
| Orientation | Flat sides fore/aft, thrust axis along seastead direction |
| Power System | |
| Solar array | 3 kW monocrystalline (roof-mounted) |
| Battery bank | 15 kWh LiFePO4 |
| Inverter | 3 kW pure sine wave |
| Charge controller | MPPT, 60A |
| Shore power | 30A inlet with automatic transfer |
| Daily solar generation (Caribbean) | 15–18 kWh |
| Water System | |
| Watermaker | Reverse osmosis, 25 L/hr (600 L/day) |
| Freshwater tank | 100 gallons |
| Watermaker power draw | ~200W |
| Head | Marine toilet with 25-gal holding tank |
| Living Space | |
| Sleeps | 2 (queen berth) + 1 (dinette converts) |
| Galley | Induction cooktop, deep sink, 8 ft counter |
| Refrigeration | Compact marine fridge/freezer (~4 cu ft) |
| Head | 4 × 4 ft wet room (toilet, shower, sink) |
| Desk/Dinette | Table with seating for 2, converts to berth |
| Storage | Lockers, under-berth drawers, forward bay |
| Shipping & Assembly | |
| Shipping | 1 × 40-foot standard container |
| Assembly team | 2–3 people |
| Assembly time | 1–2 weeks |
| Tools required | Basic hand tools (no welding) |
| Skills required | Mechanical aptitude, basic wiring |
These are rough estimates for early-unit production. Costs will decrease significantly with volume manufacturing and supply-chain optimization. All figures in USD.
| Component | Low Est. | High Est. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Foil hulls (composite) | $18,000 | $30,000 | Fiberglass/foam core, shipped as halves |
| Aluminum truss frame | $12,000 | $22,000 | 6061-T6 extrusions, bolted connections |
| Floor, wall & roof panels | $8,000 | $15,000 | Marine plywood, polycarbonate, glass |
| Hardware & fasteners | $3,000 | $5,000 | SS bolts, structural adhesive, seals |
| Solar panels (3 kW) | $3,000 | $5,000 | Marine-grade monocrystalline |
| Battery bank (15 kWh) | $5,000 | $8,000 | LiFePO4 with BMS |
| Inverter, MPPT, electrical | $2,500 | $4,000 | 3 kW inverter, 60A MPPT, wiring |
| Watermaker | $2,000 | $4,000 | Compact RO unit, 25 L/hr |
| Thrusters (2 × RIM drive) | $4,000 | $8,000 | 12″ electric, with controllers |
| Fridge/freezer | $600 | $1,200 | Marine DC unit |
| Marine head & plumbing | $1,500 | $2,500 | Toilet, holding tank, plumbing |
| Galley (cooktop, sink) | $800 | $1,500 | Induction cooktop, SS sink |
| Furniture & bedding | $1,500 | $3,000 | Mattress, table, seating, storage |
| Navigation electronics | $1,500 | $3,000 | Chartplotter, VHF, battery monitor |
| Container shipping | $3,000 | $6,000 | China → Caribbean (varies by port) |
| Assembly labor | $5,000 | $12,000 | If hiring local help (optional) |
| Miscellaneous & contingency | $5,000 | $10,000 | 10% buffer for unforeseen items |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED COST | $76,400 | $140,200 | Per unit, first-production pricing |
Estimated cost per MVP seastead (first units, fully equipped, delivered to Caribbean)
For comparison: a comparable 35-foot cruising yacht costs $150K–$400K+ and lacks the stability, self-sufficiency, and modularity of this design.
The MVP is designed as a starting point. Every upgrade builds on the same platform. Customers can start small and expand over time, or we can deliver a fully-loaded version from the start.
No propulsion. Pure living platform with solar, watermaker, and all amenities. Anchored or moored with helical screw mooring system and tension legs. Ideal for protected Caribbean anchorages. Lowest cost entry point.
Adds 2 RIM-drive thrusters for basic maneuvering (2–3 knots). Enough to relocate between anchorages, position for mooring, and handle currents. This is the recommended starting point for most customers.
Upgrade to 6 RIM-drive thrusters (1.5 ft diameter, one on each side of each leg). Adds a dinghy (14 ft RIB with Yamaha HARMO electric outboard) on stern tethers. Increases cruise speed to 4–5 knots and range to 20+ nm/day.
Add the 3 stabilizer foils (mini-airplane assemblies with actuated elevators) near the aft of each leg. These provide active pitch and roll damping at higher speeds. Enables 5–8 knot cruise in comfort. Add aft deck extensions (5 ft wide) on each side of the dinghy.
Scale up to the full 70 × 35 ft triangle with 19 ft legs, 10 ft chord foils, and 18″ RIM drives. Full living suite for 4+ people. Commercial-grade systems. This is the complete vision — and every lesson learned from the MVP feeds directly into this design.
| Feature | Stage 0 | Stage 1 (MVP) | Stage 2 | Stage 4 (Full) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living area | 304 ft² | 304 ft² | 304 ft² | 1,200 ft² |
| Sleeps | 2+1 | 2+1 | 2+1 | 4+ |
| Self-sufficient | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Desk stability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Propulsion | None | 2 thrusters, 2–3 kn | 6 thrusters, 4–5 kn | 6 thrusters, 5–8 kn |
| Dinghy | — | — | ✅ 14 ft RIB | ✅ 14 ft RIB |
| Stabilizer foils | — | — | — | ✅ 3 units |
| Aft decks | — | — | — | ✅ 5 ft wide |
| Container shipping | 1 × 40′ | 1 × 40′ | 1 × 40′ | 1–2 × 40′ |
| Est. cost | $60–100K | $80–140K | $120–180K | $250–400K |
A catamaran (two hulls) is simpler, but three legs provide several advantages for a seastead:
The NACA 0030 is a thick, symmetric airfoil profile. "Symmetric" means it has no camber — the upper and lower surfaces are identical — which is ideal for a vertical strut that experiences flow from any direction. The 30% thickness-to-chord ratio is deliberately thick for several reasons:
Shipping a fully-welded 35-foot structure in a container isn't practical. Bolt-together aluminum construction solves this:
Each foil leg has its bottom surface angled at 5°, with the leading (forward) edge about 7 inches higher than the trailing edge. At higher speeds (5+ knots), this angle generates hydrodynamic lift — the water flowing under the flat bottom pushes the leg upward, reducing effective displacement and drag. This is a simple, passive feature that improves performance without any moving parts or control systems.