The Southampton Boat show 2007

Walkabout on the RM880

Wow, what a sleek looking boat. It looks like it's built for speed, but although fairly small inside, is still comfortable.

It's the only sailboat I've been on where you can stand in the saloon and look out over the foredeck!

As the agent described, you can stand in the saloon, but there is no standing room at the dinner table ("why do you need to stand there?" he asks...)

And you have to crawl into the main for'ard berths. Both visible in this pic:

Also, the aft berths...

I think it might feel cramped on an extended voyage, but then again, I'm planning on spending 'mini-cruises' on a C-17!!!!.

Open cockpit with tiller steering:

And a final view from the front (told you it looked fast!):

The agent, which also handles "Dufour" yachts, gave us a comparison - 3000kg for the 29' RM, and standing next to it was a 34' Dufour, that comes in at 11000kg! OK, different classes, but it does show, I think, how amazingly light-weight building with ply-wood is! Though, all chines are taped, some areas inside are also laminated with glass fabric, the outside is epoxy-sealed and painted only.

Back :: Some kits and boats for inspiration

Tim Hague aka WobblyLegs, Southampton September 2007