A numerical optimization method of the hydrodynamic hull form characteristics in calm water is presented. The procedure is based on a non-linear potential flow method as flow solver, and the genetic algorithm is used as optimization tool. The idea is to optimize the hull form by just changing the bulbous bow and the fore part shape, while keeping unmodified the other characteristics. A computer program based on the potential flow with nonlinear boundary conditions has been developed to determine the characteristics of the flow. An automatic mesh generator has also been developed, in order to arrange and display the current shape of the wetted surface and the free surface. The verification and the validation of the developed method have been performed, and the results of the numerical calculation have been compared to the available experimental results. Furthermore, the optimization procedure has been described. Two different objective functions have been considered: the wave resistance and the wave elevation in the bow area, and the obtained results have been analyzed and graphically presented. The flow characteristics of the initial and optimized hull form have been compared over a speed range. Considering the predefined parameters of the optimization algorithm, an improvement of the hydrodynamic characteristics has been achieved, so a total resistance reduction can also be expected.