Design and Construction
The Hawk 20's hull is a double-chined, flat-sectioned shape that sits closer in character to a single-chined plywood design — think Mirror or GP14 — than to more refined double-chined dinghies such as the Enterprise or Wayfarer. Form stability is enormous as a result, with minimal deadrise and the lower chine running below the static waterline for much of its length. The fine bow entry and broad, relatively high stern give the boat a characteristic look that some find bow-down in appearance, though this is an optical illusion rather than a trim issue. She was built in GRP from the outset, despite the hull geometry suggesting plywood origins, and the mouldings are described as fair and free of flexing. Reid's ambition was to build with the most appropriate materials and equip her with the best kit available, which meant deck hardware from Harken, spars from Seldén, and sails by Sanders. The result is a boat with almost nothing to criticise on quality grounds.
Rig and Handling
The Hawk 20 carries a mainsail that rewards careful trim. The backstay, Cunningham, outhaul, sheet, and kicker each play a role in dialling in the right shape, and the large, easy-to-depower mainsail means reefing is rarely necessary. Jib sheeting tracks sit on the gunwale, which produces a tacking angle of close to 90 degrees on the cruiser version — a limitation upwind that the Practical Boat Owner test identified as the one meaningful performance shortfall. Moving the tracks inboard or rigging a barber-hauler arrangement would address this, though doing so falls outside class rules for one-design racing. The spinnaker is handled via a self-launching Spiro pole system and is notably simple to deploy; the boat has been clocked at 12 knots downwind, and surfing runs in a breeze are where the flat hull really comes alive. Upwind, she handles like a ballasted dinghy — delightfully positive and responsive, rewarding every tweak of sheet and tiller.
Seakeeping and Safety
Self-righting, self-draining, and with a cockpit sole above the waterline: a pair of self-bailers at the aft end disposes of any water that comes aboard, and the enclosed blocks of polyurethane foam on both sides of the outboard well, beneath the cockpit, and below the cabin bunks mean the boat remains buoyant in extreme conditions. Nearly half her displacement is lead ballast cast into the bottom of the hull, contributing to the stiff, reassuring character that owners consistently remark upon. The aluminium centreplate — a high-grade alloy on a Delrin pivot to avoid electrolysis problems — provides a proper foil section and lifts with a simple purchase leading to a swivel cam. The outboard lives in a well immediately forward of the rudder, keeping the prop immersed in a chop and delivering good manoeuvrability under power; fairing plugs drop flush into the hull to eliminate drag when the engine is raised.
Cockpit and Accommodation
The Hawk 20 exists in two versions: the original pure dayboat and the Cruiser, which adds a cabin by converting what was already an oversized watertight stowage compartment under the raised foredeck. The cabin is shorter than the dayboat cockpit by a mere 15 cm, and the two versions compete on equal terms in class racing. Two berths run to 6 ft 8 in, and a slide-out shelf for a single-burner gas cooker and space for a chemical toilet complete the below-decks inventory. Headroom above the bunks is 2 ft 11 in — workable for sitting up, not for standing. The cockpit itself, at 8 ft 2 in long, is roomier than many cruising yachts far larger, with lockable lockers on both sides. Most owners use the cabin as a weekending base, extending its utility with a cockpit tent over the boom. Batteries and lights can be fitted, though most owners choose not to bother.
Known Limitations
The test review in Practical Boat Owner catalogued the Hawk's genuine shortcomings with refreshing candour. By around 20 degrees of heel, the helm becomes heavy and the rudder progressively loses grip just before the gunwale meets the water — a behaviour that functions as a natural safety valve but makes sustained hard-pressed sailing less comfortable. A small adjustment to the blade angle at the bottom of the stock would reduce tiller load in normal mode, though this remains a point worth monitoring on older examples. The wide jib sheeting angle on the cruiser is the other identified weakness. The spinnaker on the cruiser version launches from a bag rather than a chute, making a port-tack set harder to manage than on the dayboat. Neither flaw is serious, but both are worth understanding before extended offshore work.
Trailer and Launch
The mast hinges down for road travel, and the boat sits on a tilt-back trailer with a multi-roller, nylon-bearing system designed for single-handed launching and recovery without waders. Drawing only 9 inches with the plate raised, she floats on and off a gentle slope with ease, and the whole operation can be completed in minutes in ordinary sailing shoes. This ease of trailing is a core part of the boat's appeal for owners who want to access tidal estuaries, sail-training venues, or simply keep the boat at home between trips.
The Verdict
The Hawk 20 is the trailer-sailer that settled the question of what a 20-foot performance dayboat should be. Chris Hawkins and Reid Marine chose quality over cost and function over fashion, and the result has accumulated a following across decades of active use. The competition remains minimal for a boat that is fast, unsinkable, self-draining, self-righting and easy to trail. The cabin version extended the formula without diluting it. For the sailor who wants genuine seakeeping ability, spirited downwind performance, and the freedom to launch from a trailer at will, the Hawk 20 is close to a definitive answer.
Pros
- Genuinely self-righting and self-draining; extensive foam buoyancy makes swamping a non-issue
- Flat hull planes readily; documented high-speed downwind runs
- Outboard in a flush well with fairing plugs eliminates drag under sail
- Two versions (dayboat and cruiser) compete on equal class-racing terms
- Single-handed trailering and launch in ordinary shoes, no waders required
- High-specification fittings throughout; mouldings fair and without flex
Cons
- Tiller becomes heavy by 20 degrees of heel; rudder balance could be improved
- Cruiser's jib tracks on the gunwale produce a wide tacking angle that costs upwind efficiency
- Spinnaker set on a port reach is harder on the cruiser than on the dayboat
- Styling is utilitarian; traditional-aesthetic sailors will prefer other options
- Cabin headroom limited to sitting height; no standing room below
