The RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 vs RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 measures 42,1 feet overall (2019), giving it roughly 12,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 at 29,2 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 tips the scales at 15 432 lbs — 6 173 lbs more than the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 at 9 259 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 tops out at 20 hp. Engine specs for the RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 carries 28 gallons versus 16 gallons in the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 is rated for 12 passengers, while the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 displaces 15 432 lbs — a 6 173-lb difference over the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 at 9 259 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 draws 10,6 ft, compared to 6,2 ft for the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. That 4,4-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 uses a 2 wheels versus a 1 tiller on the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 has a documented auxiliary engine of 20 hp.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 carries 79 gallons versus 32 gallons on the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The RM Yachts RM 1180 Lifting keel Lifting keel 2019 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 15 432 lbs displacement and 42 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 at 9 259 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.