A Hull Built Differently
The defining characteristic of the RM 1260 is its marine plywood and epoxy construction, a technique largely absent from modern production boatbuilding. Because plywood sheets cannot accommodate compound curvature, the hull panels must be conically developed — a discipline that demands careful geometric planning during the design phase. Lombard's solution is a three-chine-per-side hull that eliminates compound curves while preserving a purposeful underwater shape. The GRP deck contrasts with the plywood topsides, and the entire exterior is covered in epoxy and Kevlar for durability and moisture resistance. At 39.33 feet on deck with an overall length including the fixed bowsprit of 12.6 meters, the boat carries a notably beamy hullform with a length-to-beam ratio of 2.75 — wide enough that the visual weight of the chines feels deliberate rather than compromised.
Chine Design and Performance Character
Far from being a concession to the building method, the multiple chines actively shape the boat's performance profile. Robert Perry notes that a chine can flatten the buttocks and increase sailing length, and on the 1260 the effect is visible: the chine line above the waterline commands the eye in a way that makes conventional sheer spring almost irrelevant. With just 12 inches of total overhang and a displacement-to-length ratio of 124, the hull is unambiguously light and contemporary. The fixed bowsprit is standard equipment, sized for a gennaker or code zero, and the sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 23.06 gives the boat genuine reaching power. RM Yachts describes the redesigned rig as sportier than the RM 1200's, with the overall emphasis shifted toward active sailing rather than passive passage-making.
Rig and Handling
The rig deserves particular scrutiny. Perry observes that the spreaders are positioned unusually low on the mast, creating an upper panel that is considerably longer than the lower. This arrangement is uncommon but not structurally problematic: the chainplates are set outboard with long spreaders, and the cap shrouds achieve an 11-degree angle with the mast — sufficient to keep the spar straight under load. Running backstays support the staysail, and the deck-stepped mast is positioned notably far aft. Twin rudder wheels are standard, though a tiller remains available as an option, a nod to RM's commitment to customisation. Buyers also choose between a twin-keel configuration drawing 1.85 meters and a fin keel drawing 2.20 meters; the shoal twin-keel version allows the boat to sit upright on the bottom, a meaningful advantage for tidal-estuary cruising.
Accommodations and Layout
Below decks the RM 1260 works harder than its sporty exterior might suggest. The arrangement centers on a large galley forward of a double quarterberth to port, with a head to starboard and a large nav station further forward. Perry identifies what appears to be a pilot berth to port, which he approves of — pilot berths offer both sea-berth security and practical stowage. The forward cabin holds a centerline double berth, a meaningful upgrade over the triangular berth of the predecessor, and the 1260 adds an island bed in the forward cabin as a distinct improvement. The stern technical room can be converted into an additional cabin with a double berth, expanding the boat to a three-cabin layout when required. Perry notes one quirk: the starboard quarterberth cabin is accessed through the head, making it better suited to stowage or occasional use than as a proper guest cabin.
Construction Quirks and Considered Trade-offs
The plywood-epoxy method carries inherent trade-offs that prospective owners should understand from the outset. The multi-chine approach is not a shortcut; it requires precisely executed panel development and careful lamination to produce a fair and watertight hull. RM's use of Kevlar in the sheathing addresses impact resistance, but the fundamental difference in construction from mainstream fiberglass boats means that repair yards may be less familiar with the material. The unusual rig geometry with its long upper panel and low spreaders is another area where sailors used to conventional fractional rigs will find a learning curve, particularly when tuning under load. These are not defects but characteristics — the price of owning something that sets it apart from other production models in ways that go well beyond aesthetic.
The Verdict
The RM 1260 is a boat for sailors who want a genuine point of view rather than a consensus cruiser. Lombard's multi-chine plywood hull, RM's commitment to customisation, and the notably sporty rig make this a performance cruiser that happens to be livable, rather than a cruiser that has been reluctantly made fast. The unusual construction rewards owners who take time to understand it and offers a lightweight, stiff hull that the displacement figures alone do not fully convey.
Pros
- Lightweight plywood-epoxy construction produces a stiff, responsive hull
- Multiple keel options, including twin keels for drying-out in tidal harbors
- Fixed bowsprit standard, genuinely configured for offshore downwind sails
- Adaptable interior with convertible stern cabin and centerline forward berth
- High degree of factory customisation, including tiller option
Cons
- Multi-chine hull may challenge repair yards unfamiliar with plywood-epoxy work
- Unusual low-spreader rig requires careful tuning and a different mental model
- Quarterberth access through the head limits privacy and practicality for guests
- Wide beam aft demands respect for angle of heel; fin-keel version uses twin rudders for a reason
