Design and Construction
RM builds the 1070 from epoxy-impregnated Okoumé marine plywood on a galvanized steel grid, a method the yard has used for over 25 years and which remains unique among production builders anchor. When bonded with epoxy, that plywood yields a durable, rot- and osmosis-resistant finish that is easy to repair, though the process is intensely labour-intensive and does not come cheap anchor. At 10,803 lb lightship with 3,527 lb of iron ballast in a 13-foot-1-inch beam and 34-foot-5-inch waterline, she is 1.3 tonnes heavier than a similar-sized Pogo 1050, yet the stiffness of the plywood-epoxy shell mated to the metal structural grid is something you feel through the helm as a playful, enjoyable boat to drive anchor. A swing-keel version trims draught from 2.92 m to 1.15 m for shoal-water cruising, while the standard fin draws 1.68 m.
Rig and Handling
The 1070 is a fractional cutter with the option of a staysail, and her sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 24.7 places her ratios closer to a J/111 or Pogo 1050 than a typical cruiser anchor. A German mainsheet system leads the traveller load forward to the boom and back to winches flanking each wheel, exploiting the broad stern for proper mainsail shape, while primary winches sit inboard by the companionway with a deep bin for stowing running-rigging tails. Underway she heels quickly and easily, then settles happily on a chine where reduced wetted resistance gives a fun sense of speed. On the test she made 7–7.5 knots upwind in 11–12 knots of true breeze, though her triangular hull form carries considerable wetted surface that drags in light airs and limits pointing — she sat 10 degrees lower than a nearby Hanse 315 despite a 3 m lift keel. Off the wind with an asymmetric spinnaker she averaged 8.5–9 knots in 12–14 knots and could ease onto the plane with a slight wave's help to briefly touch double figures. Twin rudders give a neutral helm with deep, direct steerage.
Accommodations
Below, the high coachroof raises the saloon to admit an astonishing amount of natural light, and the painted ply finish's natural insulation removes the need for liners while leaving the 13-foot beam to buy enormous space in a 35-footer anchor. Berths run 4 to 6, with long 2.05 m settees, a large galley, and a proper navigation station; the two-cabin layout keeps the port aft quarter as a lazarette and workroom reached through the heads, and good bilge stowage sits beneath the saloon and galley. Cabins are rather Spartan but stowage is abundant, and buyers could choose from 12 upholstery colours. The original interior, though reasonably light and spacious, was judged the boat's weak point — a shortfall RM answered with a complete below-decks redesign into the 1070+ anchor. That refresh brought glossy white lacquered and matt anthracite worktops, wooden trims around numerous windows, a real teak saloon table, and an unashamedly modern, bright feel that sets the 1070+ apart from most market offerings.
Known Issues
The pre-refit 1070's below-decks options were her principal liability, never the structure; the plywood-epoxy hull itself is rot- and osmosis-resistant and straightforward to repair. The triangular stern section's wetted surface is the one performance caveat, hampering light-air pointing more than the sail plan alone would suggest anchor. The weak feature was always accommodation, now addressed in the plus version.
The Verdict
The RM 1070 is a distinctive, stiff, and quick plywood cruiser that trades absolute light-air pointing for offwind sparkle and a uniquely bright, roomy interior. The 1070+ resolves the earlier cabin shortcomings without altering the proven hull.
Pros
- Unique production plywood-epoxy hull on steel grid: stiff, rot-resistant, repairable
- Pacy, playful helm with reduced wetted resistance on the chine and planing capability offwind
- Enormous, light-filled 13 ft-beam interior with practical stowage and a proper nav station
- Swing-keel option for 1.15 m draught; cutter rig with staysail option
Cons
- Considerable wetted surface hampers light-air pointing
- Labour-intensive construction keeps cost high
- Original interior was the boat's weakest feature before the 1070+ redesign
