Bow (ship)

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View from the forward superstructure of the Scharnhorst, looking toward the bow, as the ship throws spray while underway during the winter of 1939-40

Bow of the Cruise ship Spirit of Endeavour

The bows of lifeboat 17-31 (Severn class) in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England

The bow is the forward part of the hull of a ship or boat, the point that is most forward when the vessel is underway. The adjectives fore/forward and aft mean towards the bow and stern, respectively.

The bow is designed to reduce the resistance of the hull cutting through water and should be tall enough to prevent water from easily washing over the top of it. On slower ships like tankers, a fuller bow shape is used to maximise the volume of the ship for a given length.

The forward part of the bow, usually on the ship's centreline, is called the stem. Traditionally, the stem was an upright timber or metal bar into which side planks or plates were joined.

A "wet bow" results from seawater washing over the top of the hull. A raked stem can help to reduce the wetness of the bow. Aside from making the deck slippery, water can corrode the metal of the ship. If the temperature is low enough this water can also freeze on the deck, rails, turrets, and other exposed surfaces, increasing the topside weight.

In naval slang, 'bows' can also refer to the foremost guns of a ship.