Outstanding performance under sail
For this test, the northern harbor of Marseille offered us a steady onshore wind of 8 - 10 knots, with a small chop resulting from the gale at the beginning of the week. Despite the sunshine, the temperature remained cold in early December.
Right from the very first tacks, the RM 1080 shows interesting performance. Upwind, under genoa, it easily reaches 6.3 knots, keeping a good course at 40 degrees to windward.
Once the gennaker is unfurled, the boat gains in power, rapidly climbing to almost 8 knots. This acceleration capacity confirms the sporty character of this Marc Lombard Yacht Design cruiser. Compared with its sometimes clumsy predecessors, it shows excellent potential, especially in moderate winds.
A well-balanced hull
The RM 1080 benefits from a double rudder for excellent control under sail. Pressure on the helm remains light, and the boat reacts immediately to inputs. Under gennaker, on the other hand, she can be a little fiery, requiring constant attention from the helmsman. Its dynamic behavior offers pleasant sensations, but requires careful steering to fully exploit its performance. The autopilot may struggle to perform properly downwind in light and medium winds.
A rig optimized for lightness and performance
Our test model was fitted with a carbon mast, ensuring great stability and appreciable weight savings. Its Dyneema rig (a first for an RM, made by EFTM), weighing just seven kilos, also contributes to optimized performance. This lightened configuration improves weight distribution and allows the boat to retain a nice stiffness to the canvas.
However, the design of the roof prevents the installation of a self-tacking jib, which can be a disadvantage for single-handed sailors. To make up for this shortcoming, the RM 1080 can be fitted with an optional adjustable staysail and backstay, which are already included in the standard fittings.
An ergonomic but demanding deck layout
The ergonomics of the deck layout remain true to RM Yachts' custom. All manoeuvring is directed to the companionway, with well-positioned winches for halyards and sheets. Two additional winches, recessed further down, are dedicated to the genoa and gennaker sheets.
While the RM 1080 works perfectly well with a crew of two or three, it is more difficult to sail single-handed. The helmsman, isolated behind his station, can only access the mainsail traveler and backstay, which complicates single-handed adjustments.
