What type of hull is designed to push water aside and move through it with minimal propulsion?

Displacement hulls are specifically engineered to move through the water by displacing it rather than planing over the surface. This design allows for a smoother ride at lower speeds and typically results in greater fuel efficiency for vessels. As a displacement hull moves, it creates a wave in front of it as it pushes the water aside, enabling the boat to cruise more steadily thanks to its submerged shape.

Planing hulls, on the other hand, are designed to lift out of the water at higher speeds, allowing them to ride on top of the water instead of pushing it aside. This requires more power to reach those speeds. Catamarans and trimarans have dual or triple hull configurations that offer stability and speed characteristics different from traditional displacement hulls. While all hull types serve unique purposes, displacement hulls are distinctive in their efficiency at lower speeds, effectively pushing water aside with minimal propulsion.