Ships often have different bow types, with each design catering to various purposes and operational requirements. Some common types of bows include the flare, clipper, raked, plumb, and inverted bows, among others. Each bow type offers specific advantages, such as increased water displacement or improved hydrodynamic properties.

There are several types of bow designs that have evolved over time to improve a boat's resistance to drag, speed, and overall stability. Some of the most common bow types include the plumb bow, raked bow, spoon bow, and bulbous bow.

In ships and power boats it is possible to see bulbous bows (below water), raked and flared bows (above water), plumb bows, axe bows, X bows, destroyer/Dreadnought (or inverted) bows, wave piercer bows – the list goes on.

Still, broadly speaking, some of the bow design types are: The Bulbous Bow A Normal Bow without a Bulb Other Special Bows The Plumb, the Clipper and the Spoon