A cabin version later joined the range. Known as both the Hawk 20 Cruiser and the Lidded Hawk, it uses a different deck mould on the same hull. Writing in Practical Boat Owner, the reviewer noted that nearly 36 years after the Hawk 20 burst onto the dayboat scene, it could still be described as fast, unsinkable, self-draining, self-righting and easy to trail, launch and recover. The cabin variant sold faster than the open dayboat.
Design and Construction
Reid Marine developed the Hawk 20 with Chris Hawkins, setting out to make the best boat they could, using the most appropriate materials and the best equipment they could find.
The double-chined hull has a fine entry, broad stern, flat bottom and flat sections. Those flat sections contribute to high form stability, while the fine bow prevents slamming. Nearly half the boat’s weight consists of lead castings in the bottom of the hull, making the Hawk effectively a ballasted dinghy.
Rather than a steel plate, the boat uses a high-grade aluminium centreplate with a proper foil section for efficiency. It pivots on Delrin to avoid electrolysis. Blocks of polyurethane foam are enclosed on both sides of the outboard well, beneath the cockpit and below the cabin bunks, rendering the boat unsinkable.
The mouldings are fair and free from flexing. The rudder blade is made from tongue-and-groove timber and mounted on a substantial aluminium stock and tiller assembly.
Rig, Performance and Handling
The Hawk 20 handles like a big dinghy and is just as stable with the centreplate raised as it is with the plate lowered. Its generous rig provides plenty of punch, while the large mainsail is easy to depower. As a result, the two reef points are seldom needed.
The sail controls are straightforward. The Cunningham hole has no purchase, while the jib sheets run 2:1 through gunwale tracks, avoiding the need for a winch in a breeze. The helm can reduce the 6:1 mainsheet purchase to 4:1. The spinnaker flies from a self-launching Spiro pole system that keeps handling simple.
Downwind is where the Hawk excels. It readily surfs down waves and has been clocked at 12 knots. Upwind, its tacking angle is close to 90°.
The fine entry, broad stern and flat bottom also shape the boat’s manners when pressed. She tends to round up beyond a certain point, and at about 20° of heel the helm becomes heavy. The large rudder blade keeps her on track most of the time, but she rewards attentive rather than passive steering.
Cockpit and Accommodation
The open dayboat has an enormous cockpit, 2.5 metres long and roomier than those on many large cruising yachts. Lockers run along either side. They are flowcoated and fitted with rubber seals and padlockable clasps. The cockpit sole sits above the waterline and drains through a pair of self-bailers aft.
The Cruiser makes use of space already present in the dayboat. Its cockpit is only 15 centimetres shorter, while the cabin contains two 2.03-metre bunks beneath 90 centimetres of headroom. There’s also a slide-out shelf to port for a single-burner gas cooker and space for a chemical toilet.
The Cruiser weighs the same as the dayboat, and its additional windage is negligible, so there is little to choose between them in performance. The two versions compete on equal terms at the Hawk National Championships off Christchurch. The Cruiser’s spinnaker launches from a bag on the port bulkhead, the biggest handling difference from the dayboat.
Trailing and Equipment
The Hawk 20 is straightforward to trail. Its mast hinges down, and the outboard sits in a well that allows it to be lifted clear of the water. Once the engine is raised, fairing plugs drop flush to reduce turbulence. The designed outboard range is 2.5 to 6 hp.
The specification includes Harken deck hardware, Seldén spars and Sanders sails with luff sliders, all chosen for durability. An Easykick rod kicker and topping lift keep the boom from dropping onto heads when the mainsail is lowered.
Known Issues and Trade-offs
The flat-bottomed, fine-entry hull form isn’t a defect, but it does involve a clear trade-off. When pressed beyond a certain point, the boat inevitably rounds up. By roughly 20° of heel, the helm loads up and requires an attentive hand.
Although the aluminium centreplate pivots on Delrin to avoid electrolysis, the pivot and foil remain the moving structural elements most exposed to abrasion and fouling inside the case.
The tongue-and-groove timber rudder blade is mounted on a substantial stock, but it’s the only wooden structural component in an otherwise glass-and-foam hull. Its longevity therefore depends on the condition of its finish and seals.
The lack of toe straps reinforces the Hawk’s family-boat intent, but it also means the crew must rely entirely on the 2.5-metre cockpit and its side lockers for purchase.
The Verdict
The Hawk 20 is a thoughtfully engineered small dayboat that trades elegance for competence. Its flat-sectioned, foam-filled and lead-ballasted hull is unsinkable and self-righting. It’s quick enough to surf at 12 knots and stable enough for a grandmother, yet it will round up if mishandled.
The Cruiser adds genuine shelter without a weight or performance penalty. Neither version is the most elegant of boats, but both are well built and honest about their purpose.
Pros
- Unsinkable, self-draining and self-righting by design
- Flat-sectioned hull provides high form stability and the ability to surf at 12 knots
- Cruiser cabin uses the existing space without a weight or performance penalty
- Easy to trail, launch and recover, with a hinged mast and liftable outboard
Cons
- Flat bottom and fine entry cause the boat to round up when pressed
- Helm becomes heavy at about 20° of heel
- Timber rudder blade is the only wooden structural component
- No toe straps for crew purchase
