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 

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.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour's MGM Boats have taken delivery of the new Zodiac Pro 5.5 RIB this month that will be displayed at the Harbour Boatyard.

As regular Afloat readers know the top Irish boat dealer added the Zodiac Inflatable and Rigid Inflatable Boat marque to the range of boats offered last December.

The new 5.5 has a Deep V fibreglass hull and a self-bailing deck. Full spec here. 

The new arrival into the yard follows a successful Autumn for MGM. The dealership recently staged an 'Autumn Showcase' with a wide selection of new and used boats on display in the water and outdoors on the hard, featuring brands such as Jeanneau sail and motor boats, Prestige yachts, Zodiac inflatables and Lagoon catamarans.

MGM Boats’ Autumn Showcase is now open to all at the MGM boatyard in Dun Laoghaire’s Coal Harbour.

The dealership has a wide selection of new and used boats on display in the water and outdoors on the hard, featuring brands such as Jeanneau sail and motor boats, Prestige yachts, Zodiac inflatables and Lagoon catamarans.

A selection of used boats is also available for viewing, and MGM’s team of professional sales personnel and yacht brokers will be available to discuss selling or buying a boat.

With the current public health emergency, the safety of all visitors is paramount — social distancing measure will apply, and face masks must be worn when viewing all boat interiors.

In addition, appointments should be made in advance by contacting [email protected] or calling the office at 01 280 2020 or 087 226 3598.

The world’s first 4.5m electric tender is now the flagship of Zodiac’s electric RIB range.

Originally launched in 2017 by Z Nautic under the Avon brand, the eJET 450 will now carry the prestigious Zodiac marque as part of a company-wide rebranding strategy.

The eJET 450 is being pitched at the yachting market and “pro-innovation” customers, touting its rechargeable battery and jet drive power system that requires no fuel, oil or maintenance.

With a top speed of 30 knots and 4Kw charge capacity for up to eight hours on the water, the eJET 450 is “a real revolution in the maritime world”.

Irish dealers MGM Boats — who took on the Zodiac RIB range last December — are already fielding enquires. Get in touch for more details.

MGM Boats have delivered a new Zodiac Open 5.5 to a customer at Ireland's biggest marina at Dun Laoghaire on Dublin Bay.

The Dublin yacht broker, who took on the agency for the leading French RIB range in December 2019 are making good on their commitment to being able to supply boats for the Summer 2020 season despite all the COVID-19 setbacks. At the start of the pandemic, the go-ahead marine company introduced 'Social Distancing Boat Shopping', a successful means of boat buying during the lockdown and MGM continue to operate a COVID-19 Service & Lift Procedure from their boatyard at Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The recently delivered Zodiac Open 5.5 RIB is a useful size for diving, fishing, underwater hunting, work or pleasure trips. It comes with the ability to configure the layout for your own needs. More info here

MGM Boats at Dun Laoghaire Harbour have announced the launch of the biggest ever RIB built by international manufacturer Zodiac. 

The French RIB builder and their Irish agents are making the most of the lockdown with the virtual launch of its 'big boy', the nine-metre 'Medline 9' RIB.

The new 55-knot top speed craft Medline represents a year and a half of research and development. (Download the spec sheet below).

Medline 9 top view

Zodiac already has 20 orders worldwide for the new marque that has yet to have its press sea trials because of COVID-9 restrictions.

Zodiac collaborated with the French agency DEMS to design the boat that accommodates up to fourteen people sitting down. Its clever bolster seat arrangement allows three sittings (two adults and a child). There are seven storage compartments.

Medline 9 console

As a result, the new edition has 'all you need in order to spend a long time on water', says Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats. The boat is equipped with a cabin with a removable bunk, 'so it is possible to overnight onboard or ideal just for a good nap', Salmon adds.

A toilet, a shower as well as a kitchen complete the standard equipment.

Download spec sheet below

Top Irish boat dealer MGM Boats has added the Zodiac Inflatable and Rigid Inflatable Boat marque to the range of boats offered at its Dun Laoghaire Harbour showrooms.

In announcing the new distributorship, Dublin Bay-based MGM Boats has launched a promotion on the new Open 5.5 metre RIB, a popular size model in Ireland.

The new 5.5 has a Deep V fibreglass hull and a self-bailing deck. Full spec here. 

More details from MGM Boats here.

Irish Marine Firms Western Marine and 53 Degrees North have announced the opening of a 'watersports superstore' at the Western Marine premises at Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey.

53 Degrees North, Ireland's Outdoor Adventure Stores with branches already at Carrickmines and Blanchardstown - caters to Climbing, Hillwalking, Biking, Camping, Hiking, and of course watersports including Kayaking, Sailing, Surfing and Swimming.

Western Marine, Ireland's Largest Marine Distributors, was established in 1966 and is based at Bulloch Harbour since 1968. Western Marine caters to all marine markets, from sailing and motorboating to commercial workboats, and specialises in inflatable boats and RIBs as well as a huge range of marine equipment, lifesaving equipment etc.

Commenting on the new store, Western Marine's MD, Hogan Magee said "We're very enthusiastic about this venture - 53 Degrees North carry a full range of clothing, footwear and equipment from value for money through to top end premium quality products and that fits very well with our own philosophy of providing of premium quality at affordable prices.

The two ranges are complimentary, with very little product overlap, and the result is a truly comprehensive watersports display that we think is unparalleled anywhere in Ireland".

53 Degrees North MD Alan McFarlane said "We're really excited about this. Western Marine has a superb reputation in all marine markets, and the combination of the Western Marine and 53 Degrees North brands will give us both a wonderful opportunity to grow our businesses.The huge range of watersports gear which we offer now has a waterside home, and a whole new customer base. With free car parking spaces available in the adjacent boatyard, shopping with 53 Degrees North at Western Marine could not be easier"

Among the huge range of brands now available under one roof are worldwide leaders including Zodiac inflatable boats and RIBs, Teleflex steerings and engine controls, Skipper and Besto lifejackets & buoyancy aids, Icom VHFs, Gleistein yacht ropes, McMurdo EPIRBs, Harken, Lewmar, Garmin GPS, Pains Wessex Flares, Musto, Helly-Hansen and Henri-Lloyd sailing clothing, Dubarry marine footwear, O'Neill wetsuits, Oakley eyewear, surfboards by Cortez, and kayaks by Islander and Wilderness.

The new store is open 7 days a week throughout the Summer, with opening hours 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday, and 1pm to 6pm on Sunday

Following the visit of Grand Princess to Dublin Port on Monday another cruiseship which also had a royal-theme to its name is to dock tommorow, writes Jehan Ashmore.

At 6,000 tonnes, the luxuriously appointed expedition cruiseship caters for only 132 guests. She is designed to explore remote waters and with an ice-strenghtened hull she can provide destinations that include the polar ice-caps. Shore-based excursions from the ship are taken by a fleet of Zodiac-craft to transport passengers to isolated locations.

Onboard the Bahama-flagged vessel, passenger can browse in the boutique, sip a drink in the internet café, enjoy a full-service spa, take a beauty treatment in the salon, get fit in the gym or take it easy in the sauna. Plus there's live-evening entertainment and not forgetting the two top-deck whirlpools.

For a vessel of this size her facilities are comparatively impressive to the large cruise giant's such as the Grand Princess. She became the first cruiseship to measure over 100,000 tonnes when she made an inaugural call to the capital in 2004.

Nearly 300m long the vessel is the equivalent in length to three football pitches. The ship may not actually feature a playing pitch though she does have a nine-hole putting golf course!