Back to Search
Hawk 16 Pearson
Designer: Carl Alberg  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts  ·  First built: 1961
+ Add to Compare
About the Hawk 16 Pearson

Small boat sailing enthusiasts often gravitate toward designs that balance simplicity with performance, and this compact Pearson model fits that description well. Built during an era when the Rhode Island-based manufacturer was establishing its reputation for quality fiberglass construction, the Hawk 16 represents the company's attention to creating accessible sailing craft for newcomers and experienced sailors alike. This daysailer excels in protected waters where its manageable size allows for easy single-handed operation or comfortable sailing with a small crew. The boat's proportions make it particularly well-suited for learning fundamental sailing skills, while still providing enough performance to keep experienced sailors engaged. Its Pearson pedigree suggests solid construction techniques that the builder became known for throughout their production years. The Hawk 16 works best for coastal exploration, sailing instruction, and recreational day trips where easy handling takes priority over accommodation space. Weekend sailors and sailing schools would find this design appealing for its straightforward sailing characteristics and the confidence that comes with Pearson's reputation for building boats that can handle typical small-craft conditions with predictable behavior.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 16.33 ft / 4.98 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
Beam 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Max Draft 3.58 ft / 1.09 m
Min Draft 0.50 ft / 0.15 m
Displacement 575.00 lb / 261 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 123.00 ft² / 11.43 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard (Trunk)
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Alberg
Builder Pearson Yachts
First Built 1961
Last Built 1963
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
28.5
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
5.83
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.89
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.83
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
5.55
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 278.7
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 15.42
J (Foretriangle Base) 6.3
P (Mainsail Luff) 20.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 7.42
SA Fore 48.57
SA Main 74.2
How It Compares

vs. Capri 165 Catalina, Overnighter 16, Rebel 16

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
16.3 ft
Capri 165 Catalina
16.5 ft
Overnighter 16
16.3 ft
Rebel 16
16.1 ft
LWL
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
13.0 ft
Capri 165 Catalina
14.7 ft
Overnighter 16
15.6 ft
Rebel 16
Beam
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
6.0 ft
Capri 165 Catalina
6.8 ft
Overnighter 16
6.2 ft
Rebel 16
6.6 ft
Displacement
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
575 lbs
Capri 165 Catalina
950 lbs
Overnighter 16
500 lbs
Rebel 16
700 lbs
Sail Area
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
123 sq ft
Capri 165 Catalina
103 sq ft
Overnighter 16
135 sq ft
Rebel 16
166 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
28.5
Capri 165 Catalina
17.0
Overnighter 16
34.3
Rebel 16
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
5.8
Capri 165 Catalina
Overnighter 16
4.3
Rebel 16
6.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
2.89
Capri 165 Catalina
Overnighter 16
3.11
Rebel 16
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
Capri 165 Catalina
134
Overnighter 16
59
Rebel 16
121
Hull Speed
Hawk 16 Pearson ★
4.8 kts
Capri 165 Catalina
Overnighter 16
5.3 kts
Rebel 16
5.0 kts
Find a Hawk 16 Pearson For Sale