RM970

The RM 970 is a 32-foot (9.70 m hull) performance cruiser built in France by Fora Marine under the RM Yachts brand. Naval architect Marc Lombard penned the design, which entered production in 2016 and went on to win the 2017 European Yacht of the Year award in the Family Cruiser category — a recognition that reflects its balance of lively sailing performance and practical accommodation for bluewater passages.

The hull carries a distinctive reverse bow, raised forefoot, and a wide, open transom — hallmarks of contemporary fast-cruising design. Two keel options are offered: a deep T-bulb fin keel drawing 6'11" (2.10 m) for maximum upwind efficiency, and a twin-keel variant at 5'7" (1.69 m) draft favoured by those who like to take the ground. Single- and twin-rudder configurations are available in either version.

RM Yachts builds the 970 using a plywood-epoxy method encased in glass fibre reinforcement — the same technique that has defined the yard's identity for decades. The approach produces a hull that is both stiff and notably light: the RM 970 displaces roughly 8,600 lb (3,900 kg) in cruising trim, more than a tonne less than a comparable GRP production boat of the same length. That weight saving translates directly into sail-carrying ability and speed. The deck is GRP, lined with wood below.

Hard chines run aft into the broad stern sections, adding initial stability and helping the hull plane off the wind. The rig is a fractional sloop with a self-tacking jib option, and genoa winches are positioned on either side of the companionway so a single crew member can manage sheets and helm simultaneously — an important detail for shorthanded offshore work.

The RM 970 has a well-earned reputation for punching well above its size. In the Yachting Monthly test, the boat achieved more than 5 knots to windward in just 10 knots of apparent wind, and reviewers described her as a genuine sailor's boat with a responsive, rewarding helm. The twin-rudder setup keeps helm feel alive across a wide range of heel angles, and the planing hull shape unlocks fast reaching speeds when the asymmetric spinnaker — 105 m² (1,130 ft²) — is set.

A 20 hp Volvo Penta D1-20 with saildrive handles manoeuvring in harbour. The 65-litre fuel tank is modest but reflects the designer's intent that this boat will spend most of its time under canvas. Upwind sail area of 61 m² combined with a displacement under four tonnes gives a sail-area-to-displacement ratio that favours performance in lighter air typical of coastal cruising grounds.

Below decks the RM 970 is remarkably roomy for a 32-footer. A wide, gently angled companionway opens onto a saloon designed for 180-degree visibility, with soft, light-toned furniture that keeps the interior bright. Two double cabins — a private aft cabin with a door and a forward V-berth — plus two lateral settee berths provide sleeping for up to six. A single heads compartment with shower sits between the saloon and the forward cabin.

Storage is generous by class standards: a large anchor locker forward, technical storage aft of the heads, and 140 litres of water capacity in dual tanks. The broad, flush foredeck doubles as a sunbathing platform, and a 35-litre holding tank is fitted as standard — practical for marina-bound passages in restricted coastal zones.