Shape
The Bible does not detail the shape of the Ark, it only gives three proportions (length, width, and height). Asserting the three dimensions point to the shape of a box is totally false.

It's time to think outside of the box.

The term tebah (taw-bah) or tbh is the Masoretic Hebrew text to describe Noah's Ark. But the word Tebah only appears in two places - the Ark of Noah and the reed basket baby Moses was placed in. The Ark of the Covenant was referred to as "arown" not Tebah.

Ancient Egyptian reed baskets were coiled or circular and not shaped like a box. It makes more sense to conclude that the word "Ark" symbolizes safety or refuge and not an actual shape.

The shape of the hull for the model was built around the concept that the ark must be structurally sound when the waters receded. Therefore, a concept of "three keels" was employed, rather than a hard chine as would be found on a typical semi-displacement boat today.

The result was a "soft chine," as we would make reference to such a design on ocean going trawler yachts. The bilge line was softened a bit to allow for a less choppy "role" effect, while the bow and stern were rounded to minimize "pitch".

Had the ark been a pure rectangular shape, as portrayed by some illustrators, several negative factors would have been encountered. First, there is considerably less strength in a square corner as compared to a rounded shape. In addition visualize two objects in water: One is a bottle or can, the other a 2 x 4. A bottle will roll with the punch dealt by heavy seas, while the 2 x 4 has three major surfaces of water or wave forces to act upon; a blunt fore and aft plane, flat, unyiendling bottom, and flat sides.

A compromise of the two shapes resulted in the final design of the ark model.

Now, considering the fact that the ark had no propulsion and was simply built for long-term survival, there was no need for a "pointed bow" or sharp entry for the parting of waters underway. The ark was not "uderway... it was designed to simply float. No more, no less.

A pointed hull would also offer less "lift", and encourage a diving effect in heavy seas. It is interesting that in many of the larger vessels designed today, including a large number of yachts, that a "bulbous bow" (under water) decreases the amount of pitch by limiting the "dive" factor.

We are not naval architects, ...nor was Noah... However, considering the task at hand and the forces surrounding it, logic was the prevailing factor. I.E., Form following function.

With the information that we have researched and the consultation of nautical engineers and architects, Bob Kyle along with Jeff and Andy Kyle from Captain's Models have constructed perhaps the most accurate and professional looking model of Noah's Ark to this day. Check out the finished model!

Check out the Noah's Ark Model Pictures

Thanks Bob for all your hard work. www.CaptainsModels.com

Jeremy