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→Length on Water Line
Past the bow, the hull should shift from a gentle to a rapid increase in beam. If this is done right, the boat will sail in a pool of calm water. The bow generates a positive pressure wave, which is cancelled out by the negative wave caused by the rapid increase in hull form. Such a boat will have a low Prismatic Coefficient ([[#Prismatic Coefficient|also see below]]).
== Length on Water Line ==
A boat’s length on the water line (LWL) affects its resistance to capsizing, and the [[$Maximum Hull Speed|maximum speed ]] of a displacement hull. (A [[BulbousBowGeneral|bulbous bow]] can increase maximum speed.) If the height of a beam abaft wave breaking at the bow or stern exceeds the boat’s length, it won’t be able to motor up it to the top. It is likely to pitchpole, i.e., tumble end over end. Also in general, in heavy weather and high waves or offshore, a longer boat performs better, and has better directional stability. (See [[#Length to Beam Ratio]].)
The significant height of an ocean wave on a normal day runs three to five ft, with storm thresholds around 10 ft. Severe storm areas usually run up to 35 ft;