By WPS News Guest Analyst
When the Stealth Runner was first envisioned in May 2024, its purpose was far more urgent than a hobby project or speculative design exercise. It was conceived in response to a public admission by the Philippine Coast Guard: they did not have enough operational vessels to properly patrol the West Philippine Sea, even as Chinese incursions, harassment, and unlawful territorial blockades intensified.
The Stealth Runner was designed as a civilian-built, small-footprint patrol craft—fast, quiet, affordable, and capable of supporting non-military monitoring in contested waters. Though never intended as a fighting vessel, the concept was inspired by the long history of civilian maritime craft supporting national defense, such as the United States’ use of private boats during World War II for coastal patrol, courier duties, and reconnaissance (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, 2023).
This final article provides the technical and narrative blueprint for what the Stealth Runner would have been. It is not a proposal. It is an archival record — the last chapter of a project that has now reached its natural end.
Design Philosophy: Agility, Efficiency, and Accessibility
The Stealth Runner’s mission required a vessel that could be:
- Built with local materials
- Operated safely by a 1–2 person crew
- Fast enough to reposition rapidly
- Quiet enough to observe without escalation
- Stable enough for West Philippine Sea surface chop
- Affordable enough for community or organizational adoption
This design philosophy placed the vessel in the category of light reconnaissance craft, not heavy patrol assets.
Hull Design: Modified Semi-Displacement for Patrol Stability
A modified semi-displacement hull was selected to balance speed, efficiency, and seakeeping.
Target Hull Specifications
- Length: 24–28 feet
- Beam: 7.0–8.2 feet
- Draft: 1.4–1.9 feet
- Approximate displacement: 2,000–3,600 lbs
This hull form offers:
- Low resistance at cruising speeds
- Reduced wake signature
- Ability to plane when needed
- Improved stability compared to pure planing hulls
For the choppy, unpredictable waters west of Palawan and Luzon, a flared bow and wide chines helped deflect spray and enhance roll resistance.
Material Choices: The Case for Coconut Lumber
While unconventional in modern marine construction, coconut wood offered several advantages:
- Naturally resistant to marine borers due to its silica content
- Affordable and widely available in the Philippines
- Flexible enough for plank-on-frame construction
- Lightweight when properly dried
Its limitations—uneven grain structure and variable density—were addressed through hybrid construction:
- Keel, stem, and transom: laminated hardwood
- Ribs and bulkheads: marine-grade plywood
- Hull exterior: coconut lumber planking, epoxy-bonded
- Reinforcement: fiberglass sheathing at stress points
This approach balanced economy and performance.
Structural Reinforcement Points
Critical reinforcement zones were mapped as follows:
- Keel spine: laminated hardwood with epoxy fillets
- Forward bow section: fiberglass wrap for repeated slamming loads
- Transom: doubled plywood core with full epoxy saturation
- Deck beams: strengthened for optional sensor mast or micro-cabin
- Midship bulkhead: load-bearing for hull rigidity
This structure allowed the vessel to stay light but durable, and easy to repair with local materials.
Propulsion: Quiet Power Over Raw Speed
The propulsion system that best fit the mission profile was a 60–90 HP four-stroke outboard.
Performance Estimates
- Cruise: 10–14 knots
- Top speed: 22–28 knots
- Fuel consumption: optimized for multi-hour patrols
- Acoustic profile: significantly quieter than two-stroke engines
Four-strokes are widely available across the Philippines, simplifying maintenance and logistics.
Buoyancy and Stability
To handle variable sea states without sacrificing maneuverability:
- Forward buoyancy tanks controlled pitch
- Aft foam blocks provided emergency flotation
- Wide chine rails improved roll stability
- Low center of gravity reduced capsize risk
This kept the vessel operational even during sudden squalls or aggressive wake encounters.
Interior Layout: Compact and Functional
The interior plan prioritized simplicity and utility:
- Forward compartment: gear, camera systems, portable batteries
- Center cockpit: helm, radar/GPS mount, VHF radio
- Aft section: fuel tank and storage
- Optional micro-cabin: bunks, small workspace, weather shelter
The “Kraken’s Kiss” variant incorporated a low-profile cabin for extended observation missions.
Sensor & Utility Mounting
Designed to support observational—not military—roles:
- Mast mount: thermal camera + daylight camera
- Deck mount: AIS receiver, small radar dome
- Bow cleat: towing small debris or assisting stranded vessels
- Port drawer: grappling tools and recovery equipment
The craft was meant to document, not escalate.
Build Timeline: 7–9 Weeks With a 3–4 Person Crew
- Keel & frame construction: 2–3 weeks
- Planking (coconut lumber): 2–3 weeks
- Fiberglass & sealing: 1 week
- Cabin/console assembly: 1 week
- Engine + electronics installation: 1 week
- Sea trials: 3–5 days
This blueprint emphasized practicality, not theoretical perfection.
Why the Stealth Runner Was Never Built
The vessel was feasible.
The mission mattered.
The timing did not.
- No maritime or civic partners emerged.
- Institutional interest was nonexistent.
- Personal loss halted all prototype planning.
- And civilian-led maritime defense sits in a legal gray zone.
By late 2025, the project had reached a natural end — not through failure of design, but through the absence of a path forward.
This article preserves the blueprint for anyone who may one day revisit the idea.
APA References
de Silva, K. (2022). Durability of coconut timber in marine environments. Journal of Tropical Wood Science.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command. (2023). Civilian small craft in World War II naval service.
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