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RM Yachts are “composite” as much as the best materials are carefully selected for each part of the boat:
To better visualise our plywood sailboat construction technique, think about a wooden house, with concrete foundations, a roof with tiles and window frames made of aluminium.
RM monohull yachts, available from 30 to 45 feet – approximately 9 to 14 meters –, are in constant development to improve our performance level as well as the quality of our products.
Most of our highly skilled engineers have been with us for almost 20 years, so they clearly benefit from very valuable owners’ feedback when it comes to our sailing yacht building expertise.
First step:
The hull and its structure
For the structure of our sailboats, we use high quality plywood: CTBX, full Okumé, with Class-3 gluing. Thickness varies between 12 and 15mm, depending on the RM model.
The hull itself is in marine plywood, with panels of 15, 18 or 22mm depending on the parts and of course the RM model.
The laser-cut panels arrive at our French shipyard, in La Rochelle, ready to be assembled and glued.
The assemblage is done on a template mould, integrating the iron part which will support the keel(s).
It is done « upside-down » for a better holding and an easier access.
Gluing is done with a bi-component epoxy.
Then come the plankings, made of plywood too, (except for the RM1180, our 39-foot bluewater cruiser), which are mechanically held so that they fit with the hull shape.
SECOND STEP
DEMOULDING
Just before demoulding, we run an inspection of the bulkheads. Each of them being structural, they are stratified to the hull. We make sure the joints are neat and smooth.
The hull is then craned up, and the stratification finalised.
Please note that every single piece of plywood is coated with epoxy, so that it is watertight and contribute to the overall stiffness of the sailing boat.
The hull is now ready.
THIRD STEP
INTERIOR WORKS
The inside is painted in white before we start the following:
Depending on the yacht model, some furniture is always installed at this stage before the access becomes tricky.
FOURTH STEP
Deck preparation and installation
When the deck arrives at the shipyard, we use plywood again for the counter-moulding, and install the anti-slip painting as well as some of the deck fitting.
What makes RM’s sailing yacht building technique special is that once the deck is positioned over the hull, we apply another layer of epoxy to stratify it to the hull. This junction becomes invisible, totally watertight, and highly contributes to the global stiffness of the yacht.
From this stage, one may consider the boat is just one piece (hull + deck).
FIFTH STEP
HULL CUSTOMISATION
The colour of your dreams for your family or even solo liveaboard sailboat is the result of a succession of tasks.
Back to step one, we apply epoxy on the upside-down hull and sand it.
Now we can start with a primer, thick enough to ensure the smoothness.
A second primer, thinner this time, is then applied. It improves the touch & feel.
Another sanding is then made, before the last primer – ultra-thin polyurethane – is applied. This is the last layer before we can finally spray the lacquer – the one of your dream colour for your modern customised sailing yacht!
SIXTH AND LAST STEP
The final fittings
Once the yacht has reached this final stage, we install windows, deck fitting, some added carpentry and plumbing.
Last, we crane the yacht to install her rudders (mono- or twin-rudder) and keels – whether you opt for a fin, twin or lifting keel sailboat.
A truck will come and pick her up, and once she splashes at destination, mast and rigging will finalise the building process.