Design and Construction
The 820 is a solid fiberglass hull and deck with a wing keel and a ballast package that blends lead with water. The water ballast is of the open type, and under way the remainder of that ballast drains away, shedding load once the boat is moving open water ballast drains while underway. This scheme lets the boat sit lightly for docking, beaching, or trailering, yet carry useful stability when needed. Testers praised the mechanics and the evident attention to detail, and noted that the open ballast, raised engine, and lowered rudders and board could be set from motoring to sailing configuration within minutes.
Rig and Handling
The fractional sloop wears a furling jib and a main stowed in a cradle pack, so sail handling needs no time on deck: you furl the jib and drop the main into its pack and zip it up. That makes for a minimum of exposure aloft or forward when the weather is dirty. Under power a 75hp Honda four-stroke outboard lifts the hull onto a plane quickly and the boat reached about 18 knots, with maneuverability the tester rated as good as many power boats in a light chop. Getting off the dock was easier than with a fixed drive, though some cavitation showed on really tight turns and was not a concern. Under sail, in an 8-knot breeze the boat made 4 knots on a reach and handled well on all points, proving not to be a slug for a motor sailor.
Accommodations
For a 28-footer the interior is well-appointed with lots of space, and a 6-foot, 200-pound tester found ample comfort for standing, sleeping, and sitting. The galley is functional and stylish, and access to cupboards, storage, and mechanics is easy and innovative, which matters when you are servicing a boat that doubles as a weekender and a planing motorboat. There is simply a lot of room on this boat, and the detailing reads as considered rather than crammed.
Refits and Ownership
The outboard installation is refreshingly practical: the tester was shown how easy it is to refill on board from a gas can, a small but real advantage over inboard diesels when you are away from a fuel dock. Because the engine is an outboard, routine service and replacement stay simple, and the water-ballast system's drain-while-underway behavior means there is little to manage once clear of the slip.
The Verdict
The Odin 820 is a genuinely dual-natured craft: a planing motorboat that converts to a credible sailboat in minutes, with a roomy and well-detailed interior that punches above its length. Its open water ballast and outboard power make it approachable for trailering and beachable cruising, while the furling jib and packed main keep sail handling safe and brief.
Pros
- Quick plane and about 18 knots under a 75hp outboard, with powerboat-like maneuverability
- Minutes-long switch between motoring and sailing setups via open water ballast and board
- Roomy, well-detailed interior with easy access to storage and mechanics
- Furling jib and cradle-pack main remove the need to handle sails on deck
Cons
- Some cavitation on very tight turns under power
- Open water ballast drains underway, so stability is load-dependent rather than fixed
