With the new RM 1080 model, the yacht builders in La Rochelle are taking extremely bold steps with regard to the layout on deck, causing a stir in the industry. The coaming of the new boat, a Marc Lombard Yacht Design design, is now built right to the outside, directly against the freeboard. This means that the dents in the cockpit can be as wide as possible and can therefore be used for many different purposes. For example, as wide sunbeds. The surfaces are covered with additional cushions for this purpose. When sailing, attachable backrests ensure good and safe seating positions for the crew.
At the same time, the dykes also become a walkaround deck with direct access via a step from the helm station. RM Yachts has thus adopted the exciting idea of the walkaround cockpit, albeit in a completely new interpretation in this case. In any case, it is an exciting novelty that we can look forward to. Because in this case the running deck no longer extends laterally to the stern, the steering wheels can be positioned as far out as possible. Folding seats for the helmsman are available as an option.
For the layout in the cockpit, RM continues to rely on the concept typical of the brand. This means: halyards, mainsheet and the trim lines run back over the cabin superstructure to the two winches on the companionway. There are two more winches for the genoa and gennaker sheets, set back and recessed. They are mounted on separate platforms and can be operated efficiently at a good height. With a small crew of two or three people, this arrangement works excellently in the test with the larger sister RM 1180 (YACHT 20/2019). However, if you are often travelling alone and want to sail single-handed, there is no way around using an autopilot. As standard, the RM 1080 is equipped with a short overlapping genoa and centreboards on deck. The concept does not include a self-tacking jib.
The hull is made of wood, the deck of GRP - a rare mix of materials
Like all boats from RM, the hull of the new model is built from plywood in a multi-buckling frame. The hull is subsequently covered with a layer of GRP laminate to further stiffen the structures. The deck, however, is a GRP construction, built using the vacuum infusion process. The RM 1080 is available with a fixed keel and a draught of 2.04 metres or in a dry-draft version with two chine keels (draught of 1.72 metres).
Only one layout without variants is planned for the interior below deck. The owners live in the voluminous foredeck and sleep on an island bed. However, there is no option to integrate a second wet room in the foredeck. Instead, the toilet room at the rear, to the side of the companionway, is all the larger, with plenty of floor space and a separate shower compartment. The designers have also planned the galley very generously, according to the plans with a large work surface and plenty of storage space. Another double cabin is planned aft on the port side. No further cabin is possible on the starboard side due to the huge wet room. There will therefore remain a large forecastle which is accessible both from the outside directly from the cockpit and from the inside through the toilet room.
The first RM 1080 is scheduled for completion in summer 2024. The shipyard has also already given an initial price estimate: the new 36-footer from RM Yachts will cost 297,500 euros, gross including 19% VAT and with a single set of Amwind sails as standard.
Technical data RM 1080
- Designer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design
- Hull length: 10.80 m
- Width: 4.00 m
- Draught with fixed keel: 2.04 m
- Draught with twin keels: 1.72 m
- Weight: 5.5 tonnes
- Mainsail: 39.0 m2
- Genoa 106%: 39.0 m2
- Stagfock: 21.0 m2
- Code Zero: 58.0 m2
- Gennaker: 120.0 m2
- Motorisation: Built-in diesel Volvo Penta 30 hp / Saildrive
- Fuel capacity: 80 litres (130 litres optional)
- Fresh water capacity: 2 x 100 litres (2 x 150 litres optional)
- CE design category: A (deep sea)
