Design and Construction
The Odin 820 has a 26.9-foot solid-fiberglass hull, an 8.2-foot beam, and a solid-fiberglass deck and hull. Its wing keel draws just under five feet. Displacement is 4,874 pounds, including 1,821 pounds of lead-and-water ballast.
The boat uses an open water-ballast system. Under way, the remainder of the ballast drains away, reducing the load once the boat is moving. The open water ballast drains while under way. This arrangement allows the boat to sit lightly for docking, beaching, or trailering while providing useful stability when needed.
Testers praised the mechanics and attention to detail. They also noted that the boat could be changed from motoring to sailing configuration within minutes by managing the open ballast, raising the engine, and lowering the rudders and board.
Rig and Sail Handling
The fractional sloop rig rises 35 feet above the waterline. It carries a furling jib and a mainsail that drops into a cradle pack. The jib can be furled and the main lowered into its pack and zipped up, so sail handling requires no time on deck. That keeps exposure aloft or forward to a minimum when the weather turns dirty.
Under sail, the Odin 820 made 4 knots on a reach in an 8-knot breeze. It handled well on all points and proved not to be a slug for a motor sailor.
Performance Under Power
A 75hp Honda four-stroke outboard lifts the hull onto a plane quickly. The test boat reached about 18 knots, with maneuverability that the tester rated as comparable to many powerboats in a light chop.
Leaving the dock was easier than with a fixed drive. Some cavitation appeared during very tight turns, but it wasn’t considered a concern.
Accommodations
For a 28-footer, the interior is well appointed and spacious. A 6-foot, 200-pound tester found ample room for standing, sleeping, and sitting.
The galley is functional and stylish, while cupboards, storage spaces, and mechanical systems are easy to reach. Some of that access is handled in innovative ways, a useful quality in a boat intended to serve as both a weekender and a planing motorboat. Overall, the detailing feels considered rather than crammed.
Engine and Ownership
The outboard installation is practical. The tester was shown how easily it could be refilled aboard from a gas can—a small but real advantage over an inboard diesel when the boat is away from a fuel dock.
Because the engine is an outboard, routine service and replacement stay simple. The water-ballast system also requires little management once the boat is clear of the slip because its remaining water drains while under way.
The Verdict
The Odin 820 is a genuinely dual-purpose boat: a planing motorboat that can convert into a credible sailboat within minutes. Its roomy, carefully detailed interior also offers more space than its length might suggest.
Open water ballast and outboard power suit trailering and beachable cruising, while the furling jib and cradle-pack main keep sail handling brief and reduce the need to work on deck.
Pros
- Planes quickly and reaches about 18 knots with a 75hp outboard
- Powerboat-like maneuverability
- Converts from motoring to sailing configuration within minutes using the open water ballast, board, rudders, and raised engine
- Roomy, well-detailed interior with easy access to storage and mechanical systems
- Furling jib and cradle-pack main remove the need to handle sails on deck
- Practical outboard installation simplifies refueling, routine service, and replacement
Cons
- Some cavitation during very tight turns under power
- Open water ballast drains under way, so stability is load-dependent rather than fixed
