HAWK 16 (PEARSON)

About the HAWK 16 (PEARSON)

This, the smallest of the Carl Alberg designs for Pearson, was in production for only a short time in the US. A few were built under license in Germany, where the design was altered somewhat and, reintroduced as the CONGER, which became an extremely popular class and was still being built as of 2014.

The Pearson Hawk 16 is a compact, high-performance fractional sloop designed by Carl Alberg and built by Pearson Yachts (USA) between 1961 and 1963. With a displacement of 575.0 lb and a LOA of 16.33 ft, this vessel represents a specialized niche of lightweight, trailerable racing yachts from the early 1960s.

Best for:

This boat is best suited for experienced single-handers or couples seeking a lightweight, trailerable racer for protected coastal waters and bay racing. Its low displacement and high sail area-to-displacement ratio make it ideal for short-handed sailing where ease of transport and quick acceleration are prioritized over heavy-weather comfort.

Bluewater capability:

With a displacement of 575.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.89, the Hawk 16 is not designed for offshore bluewater cruising and is strictly limited to coastal and protected water use.

Comparables:

Comparable vessels include the Pearson 16 and other Alberg-designed trailerables like the Pearson 18, which share similar fractional rig configurations and lightweight hull forms. These boats are comparable due to their shared era, designer philosophy, and role as accessible entry-level racers.