Hawk 20 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Two distinct variants circulate on the secondhand market. The original dayboat version is the purer expression of the designer's intent: a vast open cockpit, a cavernous watertight foredeck compartment that doubles as stowage, and no pretence at overnight accommodation. The cabin or Cruiser version — sometimes called the Lidded Hawk — adds a snug two-berth cabin forward of the mast by converting that oversized bow compartment with a few extra inches of height, a pair of small windows and a proper companionway. The cabin version proved enormously popular and outsold the dayboat, so it is the more commonly encountered variant on the brokerage market, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland where the class has its strongest following. The cockpit on the Cruiser is only fractionally shorter than that of the dayboat, and the sailing performance of the two is effectively identical for practical purposes. Both versions compete on equal terms in class racing, so a dayboat is no faster and no slower than a Cruiser of similar age and condition.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The Hawk 20 left the factory better-equipped than many of its contemporaries, so used examples tend to carry a solid baseline of hardware. Harken blocks and cleats, a Seldén mast and an Easykick rod kicker are standard features that owners have seldom needed to replace. The spinnaker is often fitted, and boats on the market commonly carry either the original chute arrangement — which runs beneath the foredeck on dayboat versions — or the bag-launched system used on the Cruiser. A Spiro self-launching pole system appears on a good number of examples. The outboard well is a defining feature of the design and will usually dictate the engine size a buyer inherits: anything from a small two-and-a-half horsepower unit up to a six-horsepower motor is period-correct. A frequently seen owner upgrade is the fitting of a mainsheet traveller or bridle, which the factory omitted in the interest of cockpit space but which owners seeking better light-air upwind performance have added over the years. Moving the jib fairlead tracks inboard from the gunwale position — or rigging a barber-hauler — is another modification owners have made to tighten the tacking angle beyond what the class rules permit for racing. Cabin-version boats sometimes have a single-burner gas cooker on the slide-out shelf to port and a chemical toilet installed, though many owners have left these spaces as simple stowage. Battery and navigation light installations are a further owner-fit addition seen occasionally.

What to Inspect

The aluminium centreplate and its Delrin pivot are the component most worth examining on any used Hawk 20. The aluminium is a high-grade alloy chosen for its resistance to corrosion and its ability to flex when it touches bottom without shattering, but years of use in tidal waters can result in wear at the pivot point and galvanic interaction where dissimilar metals have been used in repairs or modifications. Inspect the plate for scoring, pitting and any play in the pivot, and confirm the lifting purchase — a line leading to a swivel cam on top of the case — operates freely and that the case itself shows no delamination or cracking at the hull join. The outboard well deserves attention too: the fairing plugs that close the well when the engine is raised should fit flush with no weeping, and the foam blocks enclosing either side of the well should be intact and dry. The self-draining cockpit sole sits above the waterline, and the self-bailers at the aft end should be checked for operation and seal. On cabin versions, the compression post and centreplate case arrangement dividing the two berths should be checked for any signs of movement or stress cracking. The GRP mouldings were noted to be fair and free of flexing when the boat was new; any soft spots now indicate water ingress that needs investigation before purchase. The rudder stock is aluminium, the blade timber — check both for delamination or corrosion at the pintle fittings. Finally, the road trailer supplied with the boat is integral to its value as a trailer-sailer, so inspect the braked, break-back mechanism, wheel bearings and the multi-roller system for wear.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Hawk 20 is most widely available in the United Kingdom, where the class association remains active and a modest fleet circulates through brokerage. Ireland also produces secondhand examples with some regularity. Outside these markets the boat is uncommon; buyers in continental Europe or further afield should expect to consider importing from Britain, which is straightforward given that the boat travels on a standard road trailer. The tight geographic concentration of the fleet is a genuine advantage for a buyer: class association support, knowledgeable owners and specialist parts knowledge are all close at hand.

Before committing to a purchase, work through this checklist:

• Centreplate pivot play and condition of the lifting purchase
• Centreplate case integrity — no delamination or cracking at the hull join
• Outboard well plugs fit flush and foam buoyancy blocks are dry
• Self-bailers operate correctly and seal properly
• GRP hull free of soft spots, particularly in the bow compartment and cabin floor
• Aluminium rudder stock and timber blade sound, no corrosion at pintles
• Seldén spars and standing rigging inspected for corrosion and fatigue
• Road trailer brakes, bearings and rollers in serviceable condition
• Spinnaker and sail inventory confirmed complete and undamaged