: I was discussing kayaks with an x-kayaker and he mentioned tests that were
: conducted in Norway of various kayak designs. Apparently the best design
: was an Arctic [Eskimo] kayak, years of evolution beat out the 'max-surfs'.
: Has anyone heard of these tests, what the criteria were, and which kayak
: design came out on top? Also, I would like to know what a 'fish-form' is.
: What distinguishes it and what is it good for? My last question has to do
: with the hi-volume [bulbous] bow of the Greenlander. One site mentioned
: that the high volume bow made the kayak more sea worthy. I can see that
: coming down off a wave the bow would help prevent the kayak from
: nose-diving but wouldn't it also
: prevent the bow from slicing through the crest of a wave the way most
: commercial yaks seem designed to do? Or maybe the designs can be combined?
: Or maybe the Eskimo needed the hi-volume bow to pack home all those seals?
: What do you think? [ps. thanks to Mike and Bill for the feedback, you
: helped get my yak one step closer to the water, now is that going to be
: 9oz or 13oz poly hmmm.]mark

Paul has given you an excellent answer on hull shapes. FWIW, a bulbous bow is actually a protrusion below the water line of a motor vessel which I understand creates a longer bow wave for given hull length providing greater speed and efficiency to ships. I doubt it would have any effect whatsoever at kayak or canoe speeds.

The shape of a kayak bow can be higher volume and still slice it's way thru waves by having flare, sides sloping out up to the sheer. The upswept bow can provide additional volume well above the water line which will help buoyancy in big waves while keeping waterline entry narrow and cut thru little waves.