RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 boat specs
RM Yachts
RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015
2015
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RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 boat specs
RM Yachts
RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013
2013
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RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 vs RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 measures 43,2 feet overall (2015), giving it roughly 14,0 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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 tips the scales at 22 046 lbs — 12 787 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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 carries 40 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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 is rated for 13 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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 displaces 22 046 lbs — a 12 787-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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 is rigged as a cutter while the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 carries Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. Helm style differs too: the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 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.

Hull speed is rated at 8,4 knots for the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 and 7,2 knots for the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 carries 127 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 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 22 046 lbs displacement and 43 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.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail43.20 ft
Length overall - Detail29.20 ft
Length - Feet43.2
Length - Feet29.2
Length overall - Meters13.17
Length overall - Meters8.9
Length overall - Inches518
Length overall - Inches350
Beam14.40 ft
Beam11.20 ft
Beam - Meters4.39
Beam - Meters3.41
Beam - Inches173
Beam - Inches134
Draft [max] - Detail10.60 ft
Draft [max] - Detail6.20 ft
Draft [max] - Meters3.23
Draft [max] - Meters1.89
Draft [max] - Inches127
Draft [max] - Inches74
Displacement22046.00 lbs
Displacement9259.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Rudder1 spade rudder (Double as option)
Rudder1 spade rudder (Double as option)
Helm2 wheels
Helm1 tiller
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal39.6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters149.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters60.19
Engine 2 Horsepower55 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower20 hp
Drive typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Performance
Maximum speed8.38
Maximum speed7.2
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measureknots
Operational Info
Water capacity126.8
Water capacity31.7
Holding tank capacity - Gal14.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters54.89
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Riggingcutter
RiggingSloop
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Boat typeSail
Boat typeSail

RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 vs RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 or the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013?
The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 is the longer of the two at 43,2 feet overall. The RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 comes in at 29,2 feet, making it roughly 14,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 or the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013?
For trailering, the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 has the edge at 9 259 lbs dry weight versus 22 046 lbs for the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 has a documented max rating of 20 hp. Engine specifications for the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 or the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013?
The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 has the deeper draft at 10,6 ft, versus 6,2 ft for the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Is the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 or the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 better suited for offshore sailing?
For offshore work, displacement and construction are the primary indicators. The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 at 22 046 lbs displacement is the heavier, more load-carrying design — generally better suited to extended passages where seakeeping and provisioning capacity matter most. The RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 at 9 259 lbs will typically be livelier and more responsive in lighter conditions.
Which is the faster sailboat — the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 or the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013?
Based on rated hull speed, the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 has an edge at 8,4 knots versus 7,2 knots for the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.
Which boat is better equipped for long-distance cruising?
For extended passages, fresh water capacity is a key indicator of cruising readiness. The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 carries 127 gallons of fresh water compared to 32 gallons on the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 — a meaningful advantage when watermaker installations or port stops aren't guaranteed.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 measures 173" wide, compared to 134" for the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 or the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013?
The RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 has the bigger tank at 40 gallons, versus 16 gallons on the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013. That 23-gallon difference translates to roughly 71–118 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 and RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the RM Yachts RM 1270 Swing keel Swing keel 2015 and the RM Yachts RM 890 Fin keel Fin keel 2013 are built by RM Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.