🔍 Key Concepts

• Water resistance (drag) on different hull shapes • How bow shape affects water flow and wave-making in a river • The difference between ship-shaped, square, round, and raked bow designs

💭 Think About

• Which bow or end shape lets water flow smoothly around the barge with the least turbulence and wave-making? • In shallow, confined rivers, which hull form is usually preferred to reduce resistance for towing multiple barges? • Think about what type of vessel or barge shape is commonly used in modern river tow operations and why.

✅ Before You Answer

• Compare how sharp vs blunt ends affect drag at low to moderate speeds • Consider real-world inland towing practice: which barge type do towboats most often push on rivers? • Think about how entry and exit angles of the hull into the water influence resistance.