The Minimal - Sized Ships with a Small Water-Plane Area

Abstract

In theory, a small water-plane area results in a larger than usual
immersion of the main displacement volume of a ship’s hull(s).
Although practical realization of this theory typically involves an
unusually large draft, small vessels tend to have small enough
drafts. This contradiction demonstrates the problem associated
with a minimal-sized ship with a small water-plane area (SWA
ships). Here restrictions in terms of possible displacement and
dimensions are described, with the range of minimal displacement
and dimensions of an SWA ship estimated and alternative options
outlined on the base of [1], [2],, [3], [4]. (A SWA hull consists of
an under-water gondola as the main displacement volume,
together with one or more struts connecting the gondola to the
above-water platform. Evidently, the struts intersect the water
surface at design draft.).