georgeo
Well-Known Member
Factory visits and reports on boat builds seem popular on this site, so here goes!
In previous posts I have indicated that I am awaiting delivery of my RM1050. This is the big brother to rb_stretch’s 880, and Richard has previously posted in detail on the design principles behind RM yachts, their innovative use of epoxy ply and the fact that these performance cruising yacts are ‘biquilles’ ie bilge keelers! He has also posted his factory visit and I would not bore this forum with repeat details. Nevertheless, I hope people find this of interest.
My wife and I visited the RM factory in la Rochelle last week. We were greeted and show around by a very helpful production manager who spoke perfect English. He, and the rest of the work force, clearly are proud of their product and rightly so.
My boat, current stage of production. The grey paint is undercoat, one of 7 layers to be applied
Stern of boat, showing chines and ply awaiting final sealing with epoxy. The process of sealing deck plug to hull is laborious and labour intensive, but the finished product is hugely strong and durable
Companionway hatch, with plugs cut for ST50 instrumentation
demonstration of rigidity of epoxy ply composite material
Interior, showing ‘egg box’ type layout of bulkheads, leading to a very stiff and durable boat. In the bow section, there are bulkheads every 70cms
The galvanised steel frame to which the keels are bolted
A key feature of the RMs, the technical room, allowing easy access to all major plant, engine etc
A 1050 at a later stage, showing deck gear, companion way access and non slip paint
The nav station, which allows panoramic views forward and up to the rig
The foredeck. The boat will be cutter rigged, but you can see that you could land a harrier jet here!
View aft on a near complete 1050. I am assured that these plexiglass windows have yet to be breached by heavy seas, and these vessels have been all around the world
The key to the boats. The high tech biquille
The sealing of keel to hull has been beefed up, following some, I believe (as does Richard) criticism in the French press of minor rusting at this point.
And this is what the final craft will look like. You can choose any one of 200 colours
Regrettably we returned home to find the storm had created carnage in our part of the world. Here is my brand new and just completed Gabriel Ash greenhouse, reduced to so mutch matchwood!
If forumites wish, I will keep you informed as to progress as we head towards delivery. I have added a considerable number of non standard options, based both on advice from my sailing ‘mentors’ and a lot of reading of this forum!
In previous posts I have indicated that I am awaiting delivery of my RM1050. This is the big brother to rb_stretch’s 880, and Richard has previously posted in detail on the design principles behind RM yachts, their innovative use of epoxy ply and the fact that these performance cruising yacts are ‘biquilles’ ie bilge keelers! He has also posted his factory visit and I would not bore this forum with repeat details. Nevertheless, I hope people find this of interest.
My wife and I visited the RM factory in la Rochelle last week. We were greeted and show around by a very helpful production manager who spoke perfect English. He, and the rest of the work force, clearly are proud of their product and rightly so.
My boat, current stage of production. The grey paint is undercoat, one of 7 layers to be applied
Stern of boat, showing chines and ply awaiting final sealing with epoxy. The process of sealing deck plug to hull is laborious and labour intensive, but the finished product is hugely strong and durable
Companionway hatch, with plugs cut for ST50 instrumentation
demonstration of rigidity of epoxy ply composite material
Interior, showing ‘egg box’ type layout of bulkheads, leading to a very stiff and durable boat. In the bow section, there are bulkheads every 70cms
The galvanised steel frame to which the keels are bolted
A key feature of the RMs, the technical room, allowing easy access to all major plant, engine etc
A 1050 at a later stage, showing deck gear, companion way access and non slip paint
The nav station, which allows panoramic views forward and up to the rig
The foredeck. The boat will be cutter rigged, but you can see that you could land a harrier jet here!
View aft on a near complete 1050. I am assured that these plexiglass windows have yet to be breached by heavy seas, and these vessels have been all around the world
The key to the boats. The high tech biquille
The sealing of keel to hull has been beefed up, following some, I believe (as does Richard) criticism in the French press of minor rusting at this point.
And this is what the final craft will look like. You can choose any one of 200 colours
Regrettably we returned home to find the storm had created carnage in our part of the world. Here is my brand new and just completed Gabriel Ash greenhouse, reduced to so mutch matchwood!
If forumites wish, I will keep you informed as to progress as we head towards delivery. I have added a considerable number of non standard options, based both on advice from my sailing ‘mentors’ and a lot of reading of this forum!
