Wave-piercing hull

A wave-piercing boat hull has a very fine bow, with reduced buoyancy in the forward portions.

When a wave is encountered, the lack of buoyancy means the hull pierces through the water rather than riding over the top - resulting in a smoother ride than traditional designs, and in diminished mechanical stress on the vessel and crew. It also reduces a boat's wave-making resistance.

Design theory calls for very long thin hulls, so in practice most are multi-hulls such as catamarans.

The main current usage areas are passenger ferries and naval ships.

The reduced buoyancy can be a problem in rough sea, because the ship is not lifted above the wave as much.

See also