Odyssey 18™ Touring Rowboat - Design & Specifications

Odyssey 18™ touring rowboat set up for doubles rowing.
Odyssey 18™ touring rowboat set up for doubles rowing.
The Odyssey 18™ touring rowboat is designed specifically for one or two FrontRower™ rowing stations. It is large enough for two oarsmen plus gear yet small enough for solo rowing or solo with a passenger.

Our Odyssey rowboats are pure touring rowboats designed solely to enhance the pleasure of rowing. They have a comfortable blend of seaworthiness, stability, efficiency, and carrying capacity. 

Odyssey touring rowboats are narrower and more lightly built than traditional oar-on-gunwale type row boats, and will move through the water more easily.  Unlike shells, they will have enough stability to handle chop and wakes from motor boats, and will be roomy enough to bring some gear along. They are comfortable for all day long rowing.  They are also perfect for exercise rowing.  They are great for flat water rivers, lakes, and bays.  They are not suitable for extreme conditions (white water rapids, heavy surf, breaking waves, high winds).

Some of the design features incorporated into the Odyssey rowboats:
  • Laminated cell core bottom panel adding extra strength and floatation, and eliminating the need for frames.
  • A relatively narrow flat bottom with side planks that continue outward above the waterline. This makes for a narrow waterline (for efficiency) with the secondary stability of a beamier boat.
  • Reverse curve in the chine at the bow. This reduces the twist in the side plank (as compared to an upturned chine line). This allows easy construction without "torturing" the planks into place.
  • Only two planks per side simplifies construction.
  • The side planks come together at the stern to form a v under the waterline, making the boat an efficient double-ender below the waterline. They then open into a reverse transom above the waterline, giving additional secondary stability.


​Odyssey rowboats are only available as plans.
Lines plan of Odyssey 18 rowboat.
Odyssey 18™ lines drawing
Specifications
Length overall: 18'-2" 
Max. beam: 35-½ in. 
Center depth: 12 ½ in. 
Bow height: 25 in.
Planking: 4mm
Bottom planking: plywood/foam core/plywood laminate (4mm-1/2"-4mm) 
Hull weight: about 70 lbs.
Capacity: 2 adults 
Designer: Ron Rantilla
Resistance Data
At 287 lb. displacement (one adult rower): 
Waterline length: 17'-1" 
Waterline beam: 26.8" 
Draft: 2.7" 
Prismatic coefficient: 0.64
Hull speed: 5.54 kt (6.4 mph) 

At 503 lb. displacement (two adult rowers): 
Waterline length: 17'-7" 
Waterline beam: 31.5" 
Draft: 4.3" 
Prismatic coefficient: 0.62
Hull speed: 5.61 kt (6.5 mph)