Аннотация:The problem of exact mathematical models of potential surface waves propagation is considered. The existing models converting the original system of hydrodynamic equations and boundary conditions into some new form are analyzed. A new approach to the above mentioned problem is presented resulting in the single equation for the waveform. The relations permitting to reconstruct all physical fields on the base of this waveform are formulated. It is shown how on the base of the equation received to construct all well-known results of approximate theories of stationary surface waves.