The front part of a boat is known as the bow. The bow is designed to enable efficient movement through the water and comes in different shapes depending on factors like speed, function, and waterways.
See also: What is the back of the boat called?
Types of Bows
Bow designs vary but should reduce resistance and minimize water coming over the top. Popular types include:
Plumb Bow
- Straight vertical bow perpendicular to water
- Provides stability and smooth ride
- Enables efficient movement with minimal resistance
Clipper Bow
- Tall, straight sides
- Sleek, stylish appearance
- Cuts through water quickly with low resistance
Raked Bow
- Long, sloping shape
- Increases seaworthiness of wooden boats
- Popular on cruising boats
Axe Bow
- Narrow, long shape with vertical stem
- Smooth gliding through waves
- More maneuvering power needed
Bulbous Bow
- Protruding bulb below waterline
- Reduces resistance and increases efficiency
- Found on large ships
Inverted Bow
- Bottom extends outwards more than top
- Improves hydrodynamics and reduces pitching
- Highly maneuverable and fuel efficient
Cylindrical Bow
- Flat bottom and circular cross-section
- Strong and less likely to snag objects
- More surface area reduces drag
You might also want to read our article: What is the beam of a boat?
Conclusion
The front of a boat is called the bow. It comes in many shapes like plumb, clipper, raked, axe, bulbous, inverted, and cylindrical bows. The design impacts the boat’s performance through water.
