RM YACHTS RM890
PRICE £65,000-£135,000 YEAR 2013-PRESENT
Although very different to the average performance cruiser, the baby of the RM line-up, the RM890, is modern and innovative, yet eminently sensible at heart. Designed and built by sailors, with the renowned naval architect Marc Lombard producing sleek, underwater profiles throughout the range, it has all the most important features for fun, fast sailing, without allowing style to overrule substance. Unlike the many flat-board style, code-zero flyers of this size, the RM890 has slightly more conservative lines, freeboard and rig.
Unusually, all RMS are made from a wood-epoxy composite.
The hull is fabricated in marine plywood impregnated and sheathed in epoxy (Kevlar optional) for lightness, durability and a greater resistance to impact than regular GRP. The epoxy resin resists any chance of wood rot, plus there’s no chance of osmosis. Furthermore, the absence of a gelcoat means they can be painted whichever colour you like – hence the abundance of lime green, bright red and light blue hulls.
The deck and coachroof is a single-piece GRP moulding, bonded to the hull.
The RM890 comes with a single rudder and either a deep fin T-keel or twin, L-shaped bilge keels – both of which are firmly attached to the galvanised steel framework inside. The twins enable her to take the ground safely. The hull has two notable chines, partly for ease of build and partly to provide an increase in form stability when heeled.
The cockpit is wide and spacious, but with well-placed seating and deck gear. Some will dislike the open transom and even consider it unsuitable for offshore sailing, but this can be changed if necessary. Deck stowage is limited to a full-depth lazarette and a dedicated, open-ended life raft locker allows access from the sea. There is no cockpit access to
SPECIFICATIONS LOA 8.90m (29ft 2in) LWL 8.80m (28ft 10in) BEAM 3.42m (11ft 3in) DRAUGHT 1.50/1.90m (4ft 11in/6ft 3in) DISPLACEMENT 3,200kg (7,055 lb) DESIGNER Marc Lombard BUILDER RM Yachts, France UK DEALER www. parkstonebayyachts.com
the excellent technical room below the port-side seat, however.
The genoa winches are on a shelf beside the companionway, behind the coach roof mounted halyard winches. This allows you to winch hard while safely bracing yourself, rather than hovering over a leeward coaming. The full-width mainsheet track runs across the deck behind the tiller, giving full control over mainsail trim at all angles of sail.
She has a powerful, fractional sail plan, including a 135 per cent genoa and an inner forestay with runners for a staysail or storm jib. The optional bowsprit is ideal for flying an asymmetric sail and even provides tack adjustment from the cockpit. For keen racers there’s even the option of a carbon mast.
Under sail she is quick, nimble and fast through a tack. All the sail control lines fall easily to hand and the tiller steering is responsive. Though her ballast ratio is very average, she remains stiff under sail thanks to her wide beam and hard chines.
Below, she is bright and spacious with a very modern, no-frills painted wood interior (some might say rather spartan) that works well at sea. The open-plan layout provides six decent berths including the saloon. The galley, while basic, is suitable for a couple to survive for several days away from land but lacks accessible stowage (as does the rest of the boat to be honest). The heads is practical, if a tad cramped, and there’s even a standing chart table.
To sum up, the RM is a compromise, albeit a very practical one, between a stable cruiser and an exhilarating performance yacht. She’s exciting to sail and eminently cruise-able, although living aboard might closely resemble ‘glamping’.