Rodman Yachts and Powerboats for Sale

Rodman

When people think of Spanish motor yachts, the first images that come to mind are often Mediterranean marinas, sun pads and as much space as possible for as many guests as possible. With Rodman, that idea points you in slightly the wrong direction. The shipyard from Galicia does build comfortable leisure boats and flybridge yachts, but its roots – and an important part of what it does today – lie in professional shipbuilding outside the leisure sector. You can tell with many Rodman models. They aren't just meant to look good in the harbor, but above all to work out on the water. That's why commercial fishermen and anglers are just as much part of the traditional clientele as skippers looking for a solid cruising powerboat.

Who is behind Rodman?

The Rodman story begins in 1974, when Spanish entrepreneur Manuel Rodríguez founded the company Rodman Construcciones Navales e Industriales. The location fits: Rodman is based in Galicia on the Ría de Vigo, a region where fishing and shipbuilding have been part of everyday life for centuries. The company grew into today's Rodman Group with its various divisions. Alongside leisure boats, patrol and utility boats, passenger catamarans and other special-purpose boats and ships are – or were – built here. The group also includes Metalships & Docks in Vigo, a yard specializing in larger steel and aluminum vessels. Rodman Polyships builds its GRP boats in Meira near Moaña. According to the Vigo port authority, the yard site there covers around 105,000 square meters and has direct access to the sea. Rodman says more than 15,000 boats have been built since the company was founded.

From utility boat to motor yacht

The combination of professional and private boatbuilding explains why Rodman was long known mainly for its sturdily built fishing and cruiser models. Typical features were – and still are – sheltered helm stations, wide side decks, large cockpits and hull shapes suited to the rather rough Atlantic. Rodman boats look more businesslike than some classic Mediterranean motor yachts – and that is precisely why they are remarkably timeless.

Rodman 1250: the long-distance runner

Hardly any model represents the brand more strongly than the Rodman 1250. This fisher-cruiser came onto the market in the 1990s and stayed in the lineup in various versions for more than two decades. Its hallmarks are the strongly flared bow, a generous aft cockpit and side decks that are easy to walk along. The concept was closely tailored to offshore anglers: anyone who has to move around the boat with a fish on the line quickly learns to appreciate safe walkways. And they are no disadvantage for family and cruising use either. Over the long production run, engines, interior layouts and drive concepts changed. The hull, on the other hand, proved extremely durable and ultimately formed the basis for the more modern Rodman 1290 Evolution.

Evolution: old virtues in a modern package

With the Evolution series, Rodman modernized its traditional fisher/angler cruiser line. Proven hull concepts and the practical focus remained, while window areas, interiors, deck layout and overall appearance became more contemporary. The Rodman 1090 Evolution measures 10.48 meters including the integrated bathing platform, with a beam of 3.46 meters, and is offered with two diesel engines of 270 to 300 hp each. Above it sits the 1290 Evolution, which adopts the key features of the proven 1250 hull. The family also includes the 1290 Fisher Pro, tailored more closely to sport fishing, and the Rodman 33 Offshore. The latter relies on outboard power and a more open deck concept.

Ventura: outboards instead of an engine room

With the Ventura models, Rodman serves a younger, more straightforward concept. Models such as the 690 Ventura CC, 790 Ventura CC or the larger 890 Ventura are aimed at owners who want to combine day boat, leisure boat and fishing boat in one. On the center console versions, open deck space, a central helm station and flexible use take priority over large cabins and elaborate interior joinery.

Rodman Muse: how about something more elegant?

The Muse series, developed in collaboration with Italian designer Fulvio De Simoni, shows that Rodman can do things differently too. With it, the yard moved much more clearly toward the classic flybridge and performance motor yacht. The Muse 44, for example, offers three cabins on an overall length of 13.60 meters and a beam of 4.28 meters, reaching speeds of around 30 knots depending on the engine option.

Which Rodman suits whom?

If you fish a lot, appreciate a large working cockpit or want to head out even in poorer weather, you will probably end up with the classic Fisher cruisers and today's Evolution models. For day trips and sportier use, the Ventura and the 33 Offshore are good choices. If you are looking for a classic motor yacht with several cabins and a flybridge, take a closer look at the Muse range. On the used market, older Rodman 800, 900, 1040, 1120 and 1250 models are also worth considering. They represent that rather no-frills era that did much to shape the yard's reputation.

Buying a used Rodman

With used Rodman motor yachts, it is worth taking a close look at the build year and version. Some models were produced over a long period and were modified during their production run. Two Rodman 1250s can therefore differ considerably in detail despite carrying the same model name.

Boats from the “Blue-Collar Quarter”

Rodman is one of those yards whose origins are still visible in their boats. Galician roots, professional shipbuilding and decades of experience with fisher cruisers have produced a brand that long scored more on function than on glamour. Today the range extends from the outboard dayboat to the flybridge motor yacht. The classic Fisher models and their Evolution successors in particular still show where Rodman comes from: from the boat that first has to run and work properly – and only then may look pretty.