RM 1370

The RM 1370 is the largest model in the RM Yachts lineup produced by the French yard Fora Marine. Introduced in 2017 and designed by naval architect Marc Lombard — who is responsible for the entire RM range — the 1370 measures 14.74 m overall (48'5") with a waterline length of 13.00 m. It targets the fast offshore cruiser segment, combining bluewater seakeeping with the kind of speed typically associated with racers. Three keel configurations are offered: a deep T-shaped fin keel (2.45 m draft), a swing keel that raises to 1.95 m for shallow-water access, and a twin-keel version that lets the boat dry out on tidal flats — a practical choice for European Atlantic-coast sailing.

The 1370 is certified CE Category A, meaning it is approved for ocean passages. Its inverted bow profile, chined hull sections, and integrated bowsprit reflect contemporary performance-cruiser thinking. The model evolved from the earlier RM 1360, with Marc Lombard refining the bow geometry and adding a permanent bowsprit for gennaker or Code 0 deployment.

Like every boat from Fora Marine, the RM 1370 is built using the yard's proprietary CP Epoxy method: marine plywood panels are vacuum-infused with epoxy resin and reinforced with fiberglass cloth and Kevlar at structural joints. This technique produces a hull that is notably lighter and stiffer than a conventional solid-GRP layup, while also offering good thermal and acoustic insulation. At the keel root and chainplate zones, a resin-encapsulated steel structure provides concentrated load transfer.

The result is a hull surface of exceptional smoothness and a weight budget that remains well below comparably sized cruising yachts of traditional construction. The light displacement, combined with a relatively high ballast ratio of 31 percent, gives the 1370 a stiff initial stability curve well suited to offshore work.

The RM 1370 carries a fractional cutter rig with a 9/10 forestay and a removable inner forestay, giving the crew flexibility between a full genoa in light air and a staysail configuration in strong winds. With 117 m² upwind and a gennaker plan of 229.5 m², the boat accelerates readily in moderate conditions. Reviewers have noted that the yacht holds speeds above 7 knots in winds as light as 10 knots, and that the helm is responsive without feeling nervous or demanding.

The twin-wheel steering arrangement is wide (cockpit breadth at the wheels is 318 cm), keeping helmsmen in a comfortable position with clear sightlines to the sails. Six primary winches are arranged so that a single crew member can manage all control lines from one side of the cockpit. The Volvo Penta D2-75 diesel delivers more than 6 knots at a relaxed 2,000 RPM, with a maximum of around 8.5 knots under power.

The interior is arranged as a three-cabin, two-bathroom layout. A full-sized chart table sits at the top of the companionway with an elevated vantage point and 300-degree visibility — an unusual feature in a modern production cruiser. The main saloon features two facing three-person settees and a folding table positioned around the mast. Large windows and deck-level portholes flood the saloon with natural light, giving the space an airy quality reminiscent of a deck-saloon design.

The owner's forward cabin provides 190 cm of headroom, a wide double berth, and a split bathroom with separate WC and shower. Two aft cabins can be configured as either single bunks or a double, with generous stowage beneath. A well-equipped galley offers a two-burner-plus stove, a two-tier sink, a large combined refrigerator-freezer, and extensive counter space. Fuel and water tanks are positioned low amidships rather than under berths, keeping weight near the center of buoyancy.