It is claimed by many people that the shape of the leading edge of the Falk irk Wheel has no engineering purpose. Well, even if the engineers didn't think about it (which I don't believe), the sharp leading edge is a better shape when entering the water than a blu nt 1300 tonne object hitting the water, causing rather a splash I imagine. It would also lessen the strain on the very small motors driving the wheel around.
I also find it hard to imagine that miserly Scottish engineers would waste quite a lot of extra money making the pointed bits. It would be much easier and cheaper to just make it round.
If the points make no difference, why not run it the other way around, blun t part first? No, it make engineering sense to have the point enter the wat er first.
Do boats have flat bows or pointed bows? I rest my case.