In this paper, formation of ship hull shapes from tangent developable and hydrodynamic surfaces given by analytical formulas is analysed. Six analytical methods of construction of tangential developable surfaces are presented and every method is illustrated by a specific surface. In this study, thirteen analytical surfaces suitable for the application on early stage of ship shape design are presented. Eight tangential developable and six hydrodynamic surfaces suitable for ship and boat hull forms are presented. The main cross-sections of hydrodynamic surfaces are in three coordinate planes: the design waterline, the midship section, and the maim buttock line, and the shapes of the lines are determined by predetermined conditions. The analytical definition of the surfaces of ship and boat hulls allows for the optimization of ship shapes, the creation of well-streamlined shapes, the construction of ship hull skin developments on the plane, and the simplification of strength problem solutions. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.