Changes

= Bulbous Bow Overview =

Bulbous bows were developed in the 1950’s for large cargo vessels, to improve their penetration of the water, and reduce fuel consumption. The underwater bulb creates a wave 180 degrees out of phase with the original bow wave. This cancels or reduces the bow wave. The first merchant vessel with a bulbous bow was the <i>Yamashiro Maru</i> delivered in November 1963 by the Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, Ltd. Nagasaki Shipyard in Japan.<ref> Ripples in Time, Bulbous Bow – Introduction of wave-making resistance reduction technology, http://www.nykline.co.jp/english/seascope/200010/</ref> Today all the largest ships, including Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, have bulbs.<ref> Reagan Takes a Bow, http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/Reagan/About_the_ship/Bow.htm</ref>

A bulbous bow will reduce fuel consumption 3% to 15%; increase sea keeping by dampening pitching motions by up to 20%; and increase speed slightly. The greatest benefit to fuel and horsepower will be at speeds over 6 knots, lessening as speed decreases.<ref>Bray Yacht Design and Research, http://www.brayyachtdesign.bc.ca/</ref> <ref>Nordhavn, http://www.nordhavn.com/design/full/bulbous.htm/</ref> <ref>Cape Horn Yachts, http://capehornyachts.com/</ref>