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Displaying items by tag: MGM Boats

#boatsales – Irish boat brokerage firm MGM Marine Boats are exhibiting at this weekend's Miami Boat Show in Florida. John O Kane (pictured left) and Gerry Salmon are both working on the impressive Sunseeker stand with Ross O'Leary working on the Lagoon Catamaran stand.

The brokerage firm headquartered in Dun Laoghaire has been active over the winter period at key international boat shows and attended the Dubai Show in the United Arab Emirates and the Russian show in central Moscow.

Published in Marine Trade
Tagged under

#londonboatshow – Irish boating firm MGM Boats Ltd is flying the flag for Ireland at this week's London boat show at the Excel arena.

The Dun Laoghaire firm is promoting its brokerage listing of boats worth over €50m.

MGM will also be distributing information about the Gathering Cruise in Ireland this year both on its London and Dusseldorf Boat Show stands.

The leading Irish marine firm is the Sunseeker, Jeanneau and Aquador agent in Ireland and is embarking on a winter tour of the world's boat shows at Paris, London and Dusseldorf.

The main thrust of the firm's activity is the marketing of Ireland's largest brokerage listing in Ireland.

The Dun Laoghaire firm wrapped up several deals following the Southampton Boat Show, a venue where the Dublin firm had its own brokerage stand.

In the last 12 months, MGM has also travelled to many other foreign markets including Dubai, Sweden, Finland, Siberia and Moscow as well as the more common European yachting centres in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Balearic Islands.

The firm is also making a push on the Lagoon 39 catamaran, a brand new model from the French manufacturer. 'Live aboard cruising is a growth area on big catamarans' says the firm's Ross O'Leary who will be on the Lagoon stand at the Paris and Dusseldorf shows.

Published in Marine Trade

There's no doubt about the lengths MGM boats of Dun Laoghaire will go to seek out new markets. We reported on the MGM Boats stand at the Dubai Show on St. Patricks day. Russia is also a growth market in the yachting industry and having brokered a significant number of boats into Russia throughout the last couple of years, the Irish firm undertook a second trip to Russia in March for the Moscow Boat Show. Thinking ahead MGM's John O'Kane and Joe Hill brought a copy of their favourite magazine with them as its hard to find on Red Square.

In the last 12 months, MGM Boats have travelled to many foreign markets including Dubai, Sweden, Finland, Siberia and Moscow as well as the more common European yachting centres in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Balearic Islands. "MGM Boats are one of the few International Yacht Brokerage companies who "get out from behind the desk" to best market the clients' boat and there is no doubt that this approach yields results for the client," says the firm's Joe Hill.

Published in Marine Trade
Tagged under
Sailing Preparations are well underway for The Sovereign's Cup that takes place from 22nd to 25th June 2011, as Kinsale Yacht Club is gearing up to welcome 140 boats and their crews for a fantastic four day sailing and social programme. Kinsale Yacht Club is delighted to announce that MGM Boats, Eli Lilly and Fáilte Ireland have come on board as partners for Sovereign's Week 2011.
"We are delighted to announce our partners for Sovereign's Cup 2011 as MGM Boats has opened a new brokerage office in Kinsale, Eli Lilly is a long-established multi-national and the support of Fáilte Ireland is a great measure of the impact the event has on local tourism," said Gary Horgan, Regatta Director.
Entries are rolling in each week, with both regular competitors and newcomers to the event from all over Ireland and the UK. This year welcomes previous Sovereign's Cup winner, Eamonn Rohan returning to defend his title on his Quarter tonner 'Anchor Challenge'. Also registered is previous Sovereign's Cup winner and team Captain of last year's victorious Rolex Commodore's Cup Team, Anthony O'Leary on his Ker 39 'Antix'.
There are a number of entries in the strong Quarter Ton fleet, including international professional yachtsman, Peter Morton who will race on 'Odd Job' as his wife Louise Morton (and Quarter Ton Class Secretary) will race on 'Espada'. Other Quarter tonners include 'Black Fun' from New Zealand, Neil Kenefick on 'Tiger', Rob Gray on 'Aquila', Ian Travers on 'Bandit' and Ken Lawless on'Supernova', to name but a few.
According to Regatta Director, Gary Horgan, "As well as the excellent sailing conditions, race management and social programme ashore, we are encouraging sailors and guests to start thinking about their travel and accommodation plans. We are delighted that the Cork Swansea ferry will enable more sailors to access Kinsale easily from the UK and Failte Ireland's website www.discoverireland.ie/cork is an excellent vehicle for checking out accommodation in Kinsale and surrounding areas," he added.
The social programme is based around providing a fun atmosphere after racing for people to enjoy and later in the evenings there will be some great music for a top party atmosphere. The event kicks off with a launch reception at Kinsale Yacht Club on Tuesday 21st June and the week will draw to a close following the prizegiving on Saturday 25th June with a Bar-B-Q and musical entertainment.
The Sovereign's Cup was established in 1995 and has been a very successful and hugely popular cruiser regatta. The biennial event attracts over 140 boats from all over Ireland and the UK who compete for the prestigious Sovereign's Cup for best all round score in IRC and The Portcullis Trophy for best ECHO handicap.
There are many Classes for entry; including Class 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and two White Sails classes. Also, the Quarter Ton Class Championships will be taking place during the Sovereign's Cup, bringing many new visitors to Kinsale from the South of England and Wales in particular.
Published in Sovereign's Cup
Maybe it's the fine weather? Maybe it's Enda Kenny or the IMF? Perhaps it's the sheer good value in boat deals and people determined to get on with life? Whatever it is, the Irish Marine trade is starting to see a turn in its fortunes this Spring after a torrid three years where boat sales plunged by 80%.

Any upturn couldn't come quick enough though. The Irish Marine Federation (IMF) is counting the cost of recession that has reduced its membership by up to two thirds as marine firms closed their doors.

"For the first time in three years I'm seeing fresh enquires and importantly new blood coming into Irish boating, said Bernard Gallagher of BJ Marine in Malahide, north Dublin.

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Boat dealers are offering substantial discounts

The new confidence in Irish boat buyers is primarily being seen in the sailing boat market.

One of the most accurate barometers of marine leisure activity, some dealers are reporting a return business levels not seen for three or four years.

"We've just sold a lovely 38-footer in to Howth and we've more sales in the pipeline said" Gallagher.

Other dealers confirm the same saying there is definitely a positive mood among buyers to go the extra step in the sales process.

It's quite a turnaround because up until very recently, dealers admit there was 'no boat buying mood at all'.

Ironically though after such poor sales at home there's now a real shortage of boats for sale here because over the past few years a lot of Irish boat stock was sold abroad.

"We badly need boats for our brokerage listings", says Gallagher who also operates branches in Belfast and Malta.

Many say sales will never get back to the dizzy heights of 2006 but for now good product ranges at the right place plus a splash of Easter sunshine is helping to move things at least a step in the right direction.

Irish dealers have been resourceful in finding markets abroad and an example of this is Dun Laoghaire dealer MGM boats who has just returned from the Portuguese boat show where there was positive vibes in Villamoura despite the recent bailout there too!

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The MGM Boats Stand at the recent Villamoura Show

Published in Marine Trade

Is there no end to the achievements of Irish boaters against seemingly impossible odds?

The winter may have been a time of hibernation for some of us but as the stories in Afloat's March/April issue will bear out Irish sailors have been battling the elements all winter long.

James Carroll competed in January's Sydney-Hobart offshore race and, much closer to home, Paul A. Kay journeyed through snow and ice in December from Dun Laoghaire to a new marina on Valentia Island.
As if to prove a point that we're down but not out, a winter of results on foreign waters includes a win in the Mirror World Championships in Australia and a top Olympic result in Florida, USA.

They are gutsy performances from youth teams that shows, if nothing else, the next generation of Irish sailors is really up for a fight. All this plus lots, lots more on news-stands next week!

Selected contents from Ireland's only boating magazine include:

News

Surveyors Issue Boat Launch Warning, Buoyant Dinghies Buck the Market, Ice Diving in Ireland, German U-Boat Rediscovered in Cork Harbour, an Historic Trophy for South Pacific Dream Cruise, MGM open in Cork, Hugh Mockler joins Crosshaven Boatyard plus lots, lots more.

News Focus

A new masterplan for Dun Laoghaire harbour is badly needed but it needs buy in from all those that use it

Going Offshore

The tenth Dun Laoghaire to Dingle offshore race was launched in style

Marine Conference

Combating the downturn was the focus of a unique marine gathering on both sides of the Irish sea.

kit

Gear Review

New dinghy gear, a new Crosshaven boot from Dubarry, a new raincoat for girls and an upgrade for Musto's MPX.

islandnaton

This Island Nation

The decision to shut down the fog signals was based on a detailed risk assessment. Tom MacSweeney on the loss of fog horns

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Sailor of the Year

Anthony O'Leary of Cork is the Afloat.ie/Irish Independent "Sailor of the Year" in celebration of his outstanding achievements afloat nationally and internationally.

Tall Ships

W M Nixon looks at the realities of national sail training in the 21st Century.

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Tall Ship Conference

Ireland could yet have a tall ship to replace the Asgard II and the Lord Rank, if a new group formed to press for a replacement is successful

Racing update

Ulstermen's World Title, Topper worlds for Dun Laoghaire, Two Irish campaigns line up for Figaro Race, SB3 Sailors Cry Foul at Dun Laoghaire Parking Fees and an Irish entry in the Moth worlds in Australia, Irish Mini 6.50 Campaign in Prospect.

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Youth Worlds preview

Results achieved abroad this Winter are the backbone for further Irish youth
success

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Figaro Preview

Two fledgling Irish La Solitaire du Figaro campaigns edged closer to the start line last month

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta has taken in 22 entries six months ahead of the first race of the biggest regatta in Irish sailing.

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Fireball Worlds preview

Dun Laoghaire's Noel Butler intends to continue his winning run in the Fireball class this season but the year ahead doesn't look so easy as the World Championships come to Sligo

Sovereigns cup preview

Up to 30 Quarter tonners will be at the Sovereigns Cup this year including one from New Zealand.

Shiver to deliver

A journey through snow and ice from Dun Laoghaire to Valentia Island

Sydney-Hobart Race

Outside of the Volvo Ocean Race, the Sydney Hobart is one of the world's most challenging offshore races. James Carroll Raced it in January.

Inland

As the cuts begin to bite, it may be time to look at the British direction for our waterways, writes Brian J Goggin

Dubarry Nautical Crossword

Soundings

A Google aerial photo proves useful navigating for Baldoyle Estuary

Published in News Update
26th January 2011

MGM Boats Open in Cork

As part of ongoing plans to expand its brokerage service (and promote the ranges of Sunseeker, Aquador and Bayliner Boats) MGM Boats Ltd of Dun Laoghaire is opening a new sales office on the waters edge, at Pier road, Kinsale. The office is expected to open by the End of February. "We have invested heavily in our Brokerage Department over the past two years resulting in a steady increase of Boat owners submitting their boat to us for sale" says MGM's Martin Salmon.

The Dun Laoghaire firm also has bases on Strangford, the Shannon and the English South Coast in Hamble. Salmon says the firm currently has 'tremendous value to offer the Cork boaters in quality used sportsboats, sailboats and motor cruisers'. In spite of the hard-times the award winnig dealership says it is looking forward to a 'prosperous season' on the south coast.

Kinsale is a leading sailing port in Ireland and this year the town and local yacht club hosts one of the biggest events of the Irish sailing calendar, the Sovereigns Cup in June.

Published in Marine Trade

The sales team at MGM Boats have now completed the necessary training to qualify for membership of the  Association of Yacht Brokers and Agents (ABYA). In line with the steady expansion of its Brokerage department MGM say they are committed to keeping the code set out by the association.

ABYA endorse a strict Code of Practice that has been specifically written for conducting the business of yacht brokerage. ABYA also run a Practical Yacht Brokerage Courses. This allows members to keep up to date with both legal and technical aspects of boat sales, ensuring their credibility both to the client and within the legal system.

The Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents (ABYA) exists to promote the highest standards of professionalism and expert knowledge in the field of yacht sales, and expects high standards of its members. Membership is only open to existing practising brokers and new boat sales personnel with a proven track record in the industry. For all grades of membership there is rigorous scrutiny of the applicant's work. A Continuous Professional Development scheme exists to ensure that members update their knowledge regularly, and Members' work is monitored on a regular basis.

The Association holds regular training Seminars and Forums in house and maintains close contact with other professionals in the marine industry such as Law firms and Insurance houses, many of whom are "partners" to the Association. All members are required to carry Professional Indemnity insurance.

Published in Marine Trade

After a very successful conference in Donegal in 2009 Sunseeker dealers from all four corners of the world voted unanimously to host the event again at Solis Lough Eske Castle this year. Over 220 people attended last weekend and this time round the conference experienced five days of glorious sunshine in the north west.

MGM Boats, the Irish Distributor for Sunseeker received a 'Bronze Award' for outstanding achievement in Service and Support throughout a very challenging 2010 Season.

'Sales might have slowed down but commitment to After Sales Service remains a core part of our business', commented Martin Salmon of the Dun Laoghaire firm. Pictured below are the four directors of MGM Boats along with Sunseeker founder Robert Braithwaite CBE.

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It is the fifth time that Sunseeker have hosted their conference in Ireland in the last ten years. Sunseeker celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of the company on the 17th November.

Established 50 years ago, Sunseeker has built a reputation as the manufacturer of the world's finest motoryachts - vessels that enjoy a unique combination of luxury and performance. Despite the Global economic crises Sunseeker have managed to maintain a workforce of 2000 employees in the UK and continue to strive in all markets.

In June of this year Dublin based Investment Firm FL Partners founded by Peter Crowley and Neill Hughes along with a number of Irish Investors bought a significant majority stake in Sunseeker.

Published in Marine Trade
26th October 2010

Dublin Boat Show Goes Afloat

The 2011 Dublin Boat Show is going on the water in 2011 if a new approach to promote boating in Ireland takes off. The Irish Marine Federation (IMF) aims to include as many boating activities as possible in the national boat show line up next May in Malahide.

An attendance of up to 17,000 are expected at the Malahide marina venue from May 20 to 22. It will be the first time the national event has taken to the water in its 50 year history.

The world's biggest boat builders Beneteau, Jeanneau, Sea Ray and Sunseeker among others have already signed up for the North Dublin event, according to the IMF.

The organisers are partnering with leading Irish boating organisations to demonstrate the many different aspects of the sport on the water with a weekend schedule of live commentary.

BJ Marine, MGM Boats, Western Marine, HM Yachts in Cork and Viking marine of Dun Laoghaire and Shannon Castle Line in County Clare are among the first of the Irish firms to express interest in the new format as exhibition details circulate through the industry this week.

The aim is to get as many class associations on the water as well as small powerboat racing such as Zzapcats, kayaking and match racing fans to stage short, sharp events on the estuary directly in front of the marina. A timetable of events will be published shortly. 

Coastguard and Lifeboat demonstrations are also planned. Technical demonstrations such as glass fibre repairs and engine maintenance are also in the line up.

Despite the coastal setting Ireland's Inland waters will feature prominently too through the Irish Boat Rental Association who will be promoting holidays on the river Shannon and Erne.

Visitors are also expected from Wales and across the Irish Sea region and special offers to both show-goers and exhibitors are being made through an Irish Sea Inter­Reg programme.

The Malahide exhibition site will feature a marine village ashore with over 500 square meters of undercover exhibit space. Show goers will get the chance to talk to the leading lights in the sport before going afloat on the marina where over 100 berths will be available.

"It's a pretty unique site that gives us the best chance to show off the marine leisure industry afloat and ashore. Because its just off the M50 and M1 motorways it means it's also so easy to get to from anywhere in the country. This will be a great day out." said the Federation's Steve Conlon.

More information from Steve Conlon on 087 6472746. Updates here on afloat.ie as the show takes shape.

Published in Marine Federation
Page 12 of 13

Dublin Bay 21s

An exciting new project to breathe life into six defunct 120-year-old Irish yachts that happen to be the oldest intact one-design keelboat class in the world has captured the imagination of sailors at Ireland's biggest sailing centre. The birthplace of the original Dublin Bay 21 class is getting ready to welcome home the six restored craft after 40 years thanks to an ambitious boat building project was completed on the Shannon Estuary that saved them from completely rotting away.

Dublin Bay 21 FAQs

The Dublin Bay 21 is a vintage one-design wooden yacht designed for sailing in Dublin Bay.

Seven were built between 1903 and 1906.

As of 2020, the yachts are 117 years old.

Alfred Mylne designed the seven yachts.

The total voting population in the Republic's inhabited islands is just over 2,600 people, according to the Department of Housing.

Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) commissioned the boat to encourage inexpensive one-design racing to recognise the success of the Water Wag one-design dinghy of 1887 and the Colleen keelboat class of 1897.

Estelle built by Hollwey, 1903; Garavogue built by Kelly, 1903; Innisfallen built by Hollwey, 1903.; Maureen built by Hollwey, 1903.; Oola built by Kelly, 1905; Naneen built by Clancy, 1905.

Overall length- 32'-6', Beam- 7'-6", Keel lead- 2 tons Sail area - 600sq.ft

The first race took place on 19 June 1903 in Dublin Bay.

They may be the oldest intact class of racing keelboat yacht in the world. Sailing together in a fleet, they are one of the loveliest sights to be seen on any sailing waters in the world, according to many Dublin Bay aficionados.

In 1964, some of the owners thought that the boats were outdated, and needed a new breath of fresh air. After extensive discussions between all the owners, the gaff rig and timber mast was abandoned in favour of a more fashionable Bermudan rig with an aluminium mast. Unfortunately, this rig put previously unseen loads on the hulls, resulting in some permanent damage.

The fleet was taken out of the water in 1986 after Hurricane Charlie ruined active Dublin Bay 21 fleet racing in August of that year. Two 21s sank in the storm, suffering the same fate as their sister ship Estelle four years earlier. The class then became defunct. In 1988, master shipwright Jack Tyrrell of Arklow inspected the fleet and considered the state of the hulls as vulnerable, describing them as 'still restorable even if some would need a virtual rebuild'. The fleet then lay rotting in a farmyard in Arklow until 2019 and the pioneering project of Dun Laoghaire sailors Fionan De Barra and Hal Sisk who decided to bring them back to their former glory.

Hurricane Charlie finally ruined active Dublin Bay 21 fleet racing in August 1986. Two 21s sank in the storm, suffering the same fate as a sister ship four years earlier; Estelle sank twice, once on her moorings and once in a near-tragic downwind capsize. Despite their collective salvage from the sea bed, the class decided the ancient boats should not be allowed suffer anymore. To avoid further deterioration and risk to the rare craft all seven 21s were put into storage in 1989 under the direction of the naval architect Jack Tyrrell at his yard in Arklow.

While two of the fleet, Garavogue and Geraldine sailed to their current home, the other five, in various states of disrepair, were carried the 50-odd miles to Arklow by road.

To revive the legendary Dublin Bay 21 class, the famous Mylne design of 1902-03. Hal Sisk and Fionan de Barra are developing ideas to retain the class's spirit while making the boats more appropriate to today's needs in Dun Laoghaire harbour, with its many other rival sailing attractions. The Dublin Bay 21-foot class's fate represents far more than the loss of a single class; it is bad news for the Bay's yachting heritage at large. Although Dún Laoghaire turned a blind eye to the plight of the oldest intact one-design keelboat fleet in the world for 30 years or more they are now fully restored.

The Dublin Bay 21 Restoration team includes Steve Morris, James Madigan, Hal Sisk, Fionan de Barra, Fintan Ryan and Dan Mill.

Retaining the pure Mylne-designed hull was essential, but the project has new laminated cold-moulded hulls which are being built inverted but will, when finished and upright, be fitted on the original ballast keels, thereby maintaining the boat’s continuity of existence, the presence of the true spirit of the ship.

It will be a gunter-rigged sloop. It was decided a simpler yet clearly vintage rig was needed for the time-constrained sailors of the 21st Century. So, far from bringing the original and almost-mythical gaff cutter rig with jackyard topsail back to life above a traditionally-constructed hull, the project is content to have an attractive gunter-rigged sloop – “American gaff” some would call it.

The first DB 21 to get the treatment was Naneen, originally built in 1905 by Clancy of Dun Laoghaire for T. Cosby Burrowes, a serial boat owner from Cavan.

On Dublin Bay. Dublin Bay Sailing Club granted a racing start for 2020 Tuesday evening racing starting in 2020, but it was deferred due to COVID-19.
Initially, two Dublin Bay 21s will race then three as the boat building project based in Kilrush on the Shannon Estuary completes the six-boat project.
The restored boats will be welcomed back to the Bay in a special DBSC gun salute from committee boat Mac Lir at the start of the season.
In a recollection for Afloat, well known Dun Laoghaire one-design sailor Roger Bannon said: "They were complete bitches of boats to sail, over-canvassed and fundamentally badly balanced. Their construction and design was also seriously flawed which meant that they constantly leaked and required endless expensive maintenance. They suffered from unbelievable lee helm which led to regular swamping's and indeed several sinkings.

©Afloat 2020