According to Irish agents MGM Boats of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Jeanneau has been developing its successful Merry Fisher Marlin line and a redesign is promised for the 2022 season.

Its name is evolving too, and will now be known as the Merry Fisher Sport, reflecting the boat adaptability for multiple outdoor activities.

"A priority has been given to greater exterior space and more comfortable cruising, sheltered from the elements, which will be very welcome in Irish waters", Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats told Afloat.

The latest of this generation is the Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie2, which benefits from some major innovations.

A generously sized open aft cockpit features a superb saloon, convertible to adapt to your needs. The three bench seats fold up to provide more open space

This new boat offers large living areas and an excellent flow of movement due to deeply recessed side decks for safe passage between the aft and forward cockpits.

The forward cockpit offers an unequalled level of comfort aboard a boat of this size, as this vast space, safe for fishing, can be transformed easily into a forward saloon for the family or a
sundeck.

The new hull is compatible with engines starting at 150 HP and up to 250 HP maximum engine power, for even more fun.

More on the Jeanneau range in Ireland on the MGM Boats website here

"Hull, appendages, sail plans, design and ergonomics, layouts, weight estimates... everything has been designed, down to the smallest details, to make her the best sailboat in her size category" That's the bold claim Jeanneau about its latest launch in Ireland of the Sun Odyssey 380 through agents MGM Boats of Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

There's no doubt the Sun Odyssey line continues to grow for the French manufacturer. This is the eighth generation of Sun Odyssey, which already includes the Sun Odyssey 440 and 490, and most recently, the Sun Odyssey 410. 

This new addition is designed by Marc Lombard for the naval architecture and the interior by Piaton Bercault for the interior.

"Jeanneau has gone all out to offer a simplified cruising experience on this new model. This is a great cruiser for the Irish market, she is well set up for owners to experience precious moments with friends and family", Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats told Afloat.

MGM Boats is one of Ireland's leading boat brokers operating internationally as well as throughout Ireland.

The Irish Laser Association's Masters Championship is for the first time introducing an innovative Novice Cup to encourage newer adult sailors to participate.

This year's Irish Laser Association's Masters Championship, sponsored by MGM Boats and taking place in Royal St. George Yacht Club is introducing a new format specifically for first-time adult competitors.

Less experienced sailors who enter the two-day event taking place on June 12th and 13th can elect to participate in the Novice Cup format. Only those who have not competed in a regional or national Laser event in the past 5 years can participate.

Participants will race in the same races as all other sailors but will only have the scores from their two best race results across both days counted. Participants can therefore choose to race on just one or both days and can decide to join in on however many races they wish.

Explaining the rationale behind the concept, local event chairperson Brendan Hughes said, "We've identified that some of our newer adult sailors in the Laser fleet across the country are somewhat intimidated by the thoughts of two full days on the water but would really love to participate in such a fun championship event. Therefore, we feel that this approach offers the flexibility to sail on one or two days and to sail as many races as people feel comfortable with."

The so-called Master's category of Laser sailing is for sailors aged 35 and over. While traditionally, the Masters is a smaller proportion of the overall fleet, there has been a massive upsurge in adults sailing Lasers across the country over the past 12 months.

Rachel Crowley who organises the Dun Laoghaire 'Laser Kindergarten' group for adults said; "The concept of the Novice Cup is brilliant. We are already planning a buddy system for newer sailors at this event; pairing them up with more experienced sailors who can give them support on and off the water. The Novice Cup means that everyone can compete at their own level and have lots of fun along the way!"

The early bird entry for the event closes this Sunday, May 30th. Anyone who enters before that date can benefit from a reduced fee plus entry into a raffle for a £100 voucher from Lennon Racewear.

Full event details are available here

The Irish Laser Association’s Masters Championships, sponsored by MGM Boats and taking place in Royal St. George Yacht Club on June 12-13 looks set to be the first national sailing competition of 2021.

Taking place just days after the Government restrictions are lifted on sports competitions at regional and national level, the organisers of this year’s event in Dun Laoghaire are expecting a lot of interest from both local and travelling sailors.

Ed Rice, event coordinator for the Irish Laser Association says that “We’re expecting upwards of 50-60 local boats to take part and probably another 20-30 boat travelling from outside of Dublin.”

This year’s event will be run in strict compliance with Irish Sailing’s recommendations for covid-safe event planning. In essence, this means that much of the on-site activities that normally take place at the club will be virtual. “We’ll be running a virtual race office and protest committee. Furthermore, all participants will be reminded to maintain social distancing ashore and we will encourage everyone to wear face coverings before and after sailing” says Rice.

Rice also announced that Dun Laoghaire’s MGM Boats will be the main sponsor for the 2021 event. “We’re delighted to have MGM Boats on board this year. They are an integral part of the sailing landscape in Dun Laoghaire and have been very supportive of us over the years.”

Ross O’Leary of MGM Boats, himself a Laser sailor, said “Single-handed sailing, in particular the Laser, has provided an opportunity during the pandemic for sailors who wouldn’t normally sail a dinghy to get out on the water. This is great for dinghy sailing and also for sailing in general. We’re proud to be associated with the activities of the Irish Laser Association locally and nationally”.

The so-called Masters category of Laser sailing is for sailors aged 35 and over. While traditionally, the Masters is a smaller proportion of the fleet, it seems that this year the event will draw record numbers of both male and female Masters sailors.

Event chairperson, Brendan Hughes who is captain of the class locally, outlined how prizes will be allocated. “There will be placing in both the Standard and Radial rig, plus there will be prizes in each of the 5 different Masters age categories, ranging from Apprentice Masters (35-45-year-olds), right up to Legends, aged 75+. We’re also delighted to announce that for the first time, there will be a dedicated trophy for the top female sailor in the Radial class, the MGM Boats Ladies Champion Trophy.”

Early bird entry for the Masters event is open from Monday 17th to Sunday 30th May. Event entries close on Friday 4th June. More here

Go ahead Dublin yacht and boat broker MGM Boats are busy in their homeport of Dun Laoghaire Harbour displaying the latest Jeanneau Merry Fisher Marlin 605 for the 2021 boating season.

The proudly displayed new French marque is turning heads from its display point at the entrance to Dun Laoghaire Marina at its price point of €53,690 inc VAT.

The Merry Fisher line is well known in Ireland. Merry Fishers distinguish themselves by their extreme versatility, allowing them to be used 100% for fishing as its name suggests or 100% for cruising.

They are popular powerboats for family coastal cruises and can be seen in most Irish harbour around the coast, including Dun Laoghaire.

The open, flush wheelhouse on the Merry Fisher Marlin 605 enables excellent access to the cockpit. In case of heavy weather, it can be fully closed. 

This latest 605, at 6.4 metres overall length, is an extremely boat easy to handle and safe boat according to MGM Boats and its outboard engine rig with a tilting 115hp Yamaha Outboard engine give it a lot of versatility. 

Scanning the QR code on the fibreglass hull reveals the full details of the new 605 on display at the entrance to Dun Laoghaire Marina Photo: Afloat

The large, flush aft swim platforms, the starboard side recessed side deck, and excellent visibility with large windows all contribute to an exceptional level of security on board. Her tilting engine adds to the functionality of this fishing model.

The Marlin 605 comes with a full cruising spec for coastal trips Photo: Afloat

MGM Boats lifted Rosslare's Severn and Arklow's Trent Class RNLI Lifeboats for maintenance purposes late in December, just part of the busy lift-in/out schedule kept by its boatyard services at Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The firm operates the only dedicated boat hoist on Dublin Bay, with the ability to lift craft up to 50–Tons; an essential service at the country's biggest boating centre.

East coast RNLI lifeboats, including those at Howth and Dun Laoghaire, are not the only large vessels to make use of the facility with Dublin Port's new pilot boat, Tolka also hauled out by MGM for maintenance last April.

Rosslare RNLI's Severn Class Lifeboat, the largest type in the RNLI's fleet, in the boat hoist slings at the MGM Boatyard in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Photo: MGM Boats/Facebook

The lifting and servicing of boats, including fishing trawlers, needs to continue year-round despite COVID-19. 

MGM Boats offer a wide range of boatyard services including pressure wash, block off and cradle, relaunch as well as boat storage.

Christmas is coming and MGM Boats at Dun Laoghaire Harbour is taking the opportunity to present the latest Zodiac RIB, the 'Medline 6.8 m' in detail.

As regular Afloat readers will know, the first pictures of the new marque appeared on Afloat in November 2020, and MGM's Gerry Salmon says, the launch is one of the most eagerly awaited RIB events of 2021.

The first units will be delivered in early Spring 2021.

This new boat, replacing the Medline 660, will be the little brother of the Medline 7.5 and the Medline 9. It will be the mid-range boat, Zodiac plan to deliver more than a hundred units worldwide next year.

The Medline 6.8 has been completely designed and adapted for the needs of a family in 2021.

"The needs of consumers have evolved, so Zodiac is taking these requirements into account. Clients are looking for better comfort and higher security and more ease of use", Salmon says.

Designers of the new Zodiac Medline 6.8 say it is easy to use and easy to drive. It also comes with a large number of advantages: a large bow sundeck of more than 2 metres (with extension), a large console capable of accommodating large screens, a secure aft saloon with polyester wings, high backrests for a "cocoon" effect, and an ergonomic and comfortable helm station.

"With this new product, we are addressing all water leisure enthusiasts: men and women, children, sailors or not, experienced or not. It's a mistake to think that nowadays, a boat is necessarily bought by boating experts!" he adds.

Different configurations of the new Zodiac Medline 6.8m 

The Medline 6.8 specs

• - 6.88 meters in length
• - 2.54 meters wide
• - 200 litres tank capacity
• - 14 people maximum
• - 10 seats (6 seats + floats)
• - 5 chests
• - 250 HP in maximum power
• - 950 Kg 

MGM Boats Ltd is looking for a Boatyard Operative to join their award-winning boatyard team in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Co. Dublin.

Experience in boatyard operations, hull polishing, valeting, antifouling etc preferred.

Apply in confidence by sending CV to: Paul Gavin, Boatyard Manager, MGM Boats Ltd, Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Co, Dublin. email: [email protected]

2020 has been a big year for Zodiac RIBs and its Irish agent MGM Boats. The year started with a big challenge; launching the Medline 9 in the middle of the COVID crisis. 

Zodiac says its multiplied by five the sales of the new marque compared to its predecessor, the Medline 850, despite the lockdown and late deliveries.

Medline 6.8 in 2021

2021 is shaping up to be the busiest year for the French company in terms of new products in the last four years.

One of the eagerly awaited events by MGM Boats, based at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, is the launch of the Medline 6.8. The first units of which will be delivered in early Spring. This new boat, replacing the Medline 660, will be the little brother of the Medline 7.5 and the Medline 9. It will be the mid-range boat, Zodiac plan to deliver more than a hundred units worldwide next year.

In 1985, Jeanneau launched the Leader 850, the first unit of a new line and a new market segment: the 'Express motor yacht'.

35 years and 10,000 units later, the Leader Line continue to attract customers with boats offering high performance and a distinctive look, while also adapted for family cruising.

As regular Afloat readers know, the brand is represented in Ireland by agents MGM Boats Ltd where the Leader model is a staple of the Irish motorboat scene. 

To celebrate this anniversary, Jeanneau is offering a Limited-Edition Series with its own exclusive hull decoration, gifts pack, and prize competition.