Built by the only production yard still constructing plywood hulls on a frame, the 1070 combines a sporty, pacy character with genuine cruising safety for an active couple or family. Sales were steady: 26 boats in the first year and 56 by the time of the later preview. Its muscular profile—box-fresh shape, reverse sheer, and dreadnought bow—announces a boat that proudly says different is good.
Design and Construction
RM builds the 1070 from epoxy-impregnated Okoumé marine plywood on a galvanized steel grid. The yard has used this method for more than 25 years, and it remains unique among production builders. Bonding the plywood with epoxy produces a durable finish that resists rot and osmosis and is easy to repair. However, the process is intensely labour-intensive and doesn’t come cheap.
The 1070 weighs 10,803 lb lightship and carries 3,527 lb of iron ballast. It has a 13-foot-1-inch beam and a 34-foot-5-inch waterline. That makes it 1.3 tonnes heavier than a similar-sized Pogo 1050, but the stiff plywood-epoxy shell, joined to the metal structural grid, contributes to a playful, enjoyable boat to drive through the feel it provides at the helm.
The standard fin draws 1.68 m. A swing-keel version reduces draught from 2.92 m to 1.15 m for shoal-water cruising.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The 1070 is a fractional cutter with an optional staysail, and its sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 24.7 puts its ratios closer to those of a J/111 or Pogo 1050 than a typical cruiser.
A German mainsheet system leads the traveller load forward to the boom, then back to winches flanking each wheel. This arrangement uses the broad stern to provide proper mainsail shape. The primary winches sit inboard beside the companionway, with a deep bin for running-rigging tails.
Underway, the 1070 heels quickly and easily, then settles happily onto a chine. The resulting reduction in wetted resistance gives a fun sense of speed. During the test, it made 7–7.5 knots upwind in 11–12 knots of true breeze. However, the triangular hull form carries considerable wetted surface, which creates drag in light airs and limits pointing. Despite having a 3 m lift keel, the boat sailed 10 degrees lower than a nearby Hanse 315.
Off the wind under an asymmetric spinnaker, the 1070 averaged 8.5–9 knots in 12–14 knots. With a little help from a wave, it could ease onto the plane and briefly touch double figures. Twin rudders provide a neutral helm and deep, direct steerage.
Accommodations
The high coachroof raises the saloon and admits an astonishing amount of natural light. The natural insulation of the painted plywood eliminates the need for liners, while the 13-foot beam creates enormous space for a 35-footer.
The interior sleeps four to six and includes 2.05 m settees, a large galley, and a proper navigation station. In the two-cabin layout, the port aft quarter becomes a lazarette and workroom accessed through the heads. There’s also good bilge stowage beneath the saloon and galley. The cabins are rather Spartan, but stowage is abundant, and buyers could choose from 12 upholstery colours.
Although the original interior was reasonably light and spacious, it was judged the boat’s weak point. RM addressed that shortfall with a complete below-decks redesign for the 1070+. The revised interior introduced glossy white lacquered and matt anthracite worktops, wooden trim around the numerous windows, and a real teak saloon table. The result is an unashamedly modern, bright interior that sets the 1070+ apart from most market offerings. RM answered the original interior's shortfall with this complete below-decks redesign.
Known Issues
The pre-refit 1070’s principal liability was its below-decks options, not its structure. The plywood-epoxy hull itself resists rot and osmosis and is straightforward to repair.
The main performance caveat is the triangular stern section. Its considerable wetted surface hampers light-air pointing more than the sail plan alone would suggest. Accommodation was always the weak feature, and the plus version addressed it.
The Verdict
The RM 1070 is a distinctive, stiff, and quick plywood cruiser. It trades absolute light-air pointing for lively offwind performance 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 a steel grid: stiff, rot-resistant, and repairable
- Pacy, playful helm, with reduced wetted resistance on the chine and the ability to plane offwind
- Enormous, light-filled interior within a 13 ft beam, with practical stowage and a proper navigation station
- Swing-keel option providing 1.15 m draught
- Cutter rig with an optional staysail
Cons
- Considerable wetted surface hampers light-air pointing
- Labour-intensive construction keeps the cost high
- The original interior was the boat’s weakest feature before the 1070+ redesign
