I am back at my sailing chair, after some months cruising in my boat and to start the new season on the sailing chair I chose to talk about a boat that we had already talk about here, one so cute that gives almost an irresistible desire to get one, the RM 890.
http://interestingsailboats.blogspot.pt/2014/03/rm-890-one-of-best-rm-ever.html
There are reasons to talk more about it, now that more sail tests have been made and also because David King, a follower of this blog, after reading the first post didn't resist the desire to have one and emailed me his feelings and some comments regarding a test on his boat by PBO (the boat on the photo above):
what a boat! how come that wide shape can do this? guess the architects know. so glad I opted for the twin rudders (against some advice I might add) as he’s very light on the helm - just a touch of windward moving - just enough. can’t believe that last December she was just a pile of plywood sheets. can’t believe I’d spend so much on a dream in my twilight years…."
Well, it was not only you that went for twin rudders, the one from François Gabart, the winner of the last Vendee Globe, has also twin rudders (it seems that it was another one that could not resist that beauty).
On the picture featuring Gabart and his RM, we can see a very curious Spraywood that offers a big protection against rain or bad weather, almost a full enclosure when fully deployed. Another interesting feature of this boat is the storage and technical space, easily accessibly and well thought.
On the picture featuring Gabart and his RM, we can see a very curious Spraywood that offers a big protection against rain or bad weather, almost a full enclosure when fully deployed. Another interesting feature of this boat is the storage and technical space, easily accessibly and well thought.
Some more comments by Dave and a test movie by the Italians of Solo Vela (they were impressed too):
"This boat has no twin rudder problems under engine. She has a 20hp volvo saildrive with a flexofold 2 bladed prop. Turns in her own length even at low speed and reverses easily...She's sailing cutter rigged with the staysail rolled. This did not seem to affect the performance and we could still tack OK. She was never below 5.9/6 knts in 10/13knts of breeze, most of the time at 7/7.5 even to windward."
Welcome back Paulo. Hope you enjoyed cruising. We will be looking forward to your posts :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! :-)
DeleteGreat to have you back Paulo , would you please include in your reviews how suitable a boat is to singelhand ? Love your site
ReplyDeleteThanks! I do that if you find a name for you ;-) Lot's of unknowns around.
ReplyDeleteProbably you are right. That is so obvious to me that sometimes I forgot that it can be less clear to others.
This boat, the RM 890 is a clear example of one studied to be sailed alone. Things that are important are a big hull form stability, an easy reach of all winches and lines and if one desires to go really fast downwind, not a big one.
That seems quite a contradiction but in what regards size the bigger problem is flying a spinaker, or several spinnakers according to the wind. Big boats have huge spinakers and even with the help of a furler the forces involved are huge and any mistake can have consequences. Not saying at all that cannot be made (just look at the Open60's) just saying that you have to be a much better sailor to go fast downwind on a big boat.