RM Yachts presented the 1080 model a year ago. With this boat, the shipyard has surprisingly moved away from the previous cockpit design and presented a revolutionary new layout. The high coamings are brought right up to the outside of the hull. As a result, the cockpit opens up across the entire width of the boat and the thwarts are designed as spacious areas. Thanks to removable backrests, they can be used both as classic benches and as comfortable sunbeds with additional cushions. This new layout has now also been adopted by the revised RM 980 for the cockpit design.
Proven layout - for the team
However, the new, smaller model no longer has double steering wheels, but two tiller wheels. The helmsman sits on the dents, which are pulled far aft and offer a recessed position for the feet. A new and extremely interesting approach to cockpit design. RM continues to rely on the brand-typical concept for the layout of the trim lines and line guidance. Halyards, trim lines and the mainsheet run back over the cabin superstructure to the two winches on the companionway. For the genoa and gennaker sheets, two additional winches are available further aft, positioned slightly lower. This layout has proven itself many times in crew operation, but is not ideal for single-handed sailors.
The canting keel - previously a RM Yachts trademark - is no longer offered for the smaller model. The version with two bi-keels (1.69 metres draught) and two rudder blades is now standard. This means that the boat can easily fall dry, even regularly in tidal waters. As an alternative, RM Yachts offers the 980 optionally with a fixed keel and lead bomb. Although this version is somewhat lighter, it has a greater draught of 1.98 metres.
Plywood hull and GRP deck
As is customary at RM, the hull of the new RM 980 is also made of plywood in a buckling frame, the outer skin of which is laminated with GRP. For a particularly stable bond between the keels and plywood hull, RM relies on a robust galvanised steel frame for all its boats. The deck, on the other hand, is produced as a GRP sandwich construction using a vacuum infusion process. The combination of plywood hull and GRP deck is an exclusive feature of RM Yachts.
Compared to the predecessor model RM 970, the rig of the new RM 980 model is positioned significantly further aft. This increases the J dimension, which generally allows for larger headsails. In addition to the standard wardrobe with mainsail (pinhead) and overlapping genoa (110%), the boat can also be equipped with a stay jib, supplemented by either a code zero or a gennaker.
Two double cabins, one large wet room
The shipyard has also essentially retained the layout of the previous model for the interior - albeit with numerous adjustments. For example, the wet room is now significantly larger and the seating area in the saloon has been redesigned. The shipyard has only planned one version of the layout below deck, with no alternatives. The owners sleep comfortably in the foredeck on a spacious berth; however, there is no bulkhead separating the saloon from the forward cabin. The second double cabin aft on the port side offers significantly more privacy as a separate room. An open storage space with an integrated technical area is provided to starboard in the stern. Sailors who spend a lot of time on board and plan longer trips will particularly appreciate this solution, as there is space for even larger items of equipment. The space can also be used as a walk-in workshop.
According to current information from the shipyard, construction number one of the new RM 980 is scheduled for completion in summer 2026 and will then be available for testing. RM Yachts has also already announced the first price: 234,400 euros gross, including 19% VAT and including a single set of sails (main and genoa).
Technical data RM 980
- Designer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design
- CE design category: A (optional) / B(6)
- Hull length: 9.80 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 10.67 m
- Width: 3.70 m
- Draught with bi-keels: 1.69 m
- Draught with T-keel: 1.98 m
- Weight: 4.2 tonnes
- Mast height above waterline: 16.06 m
- Mainsail: 33.0 m2
- Genoa (110%): 33.0 m2
- Stagfock: 15.5 m2
- Code Zero: 52.0 m2
- Gennaker: 105.0 m2
- Motorisation: Volvo Penta (opt. Nanni) / 20 hp
- Drive: Saildrive
- Fuel capacity: 60 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 140 litres
