For other meanings, see Bow (disambiguation). 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 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.