#mgmboats – Irish boat firm MGM Boats has proved a big hit with its boats for sale stand at this week's London Boat Show, according to managing director of the Dun Laoghaire company, Gerry Salmon.

Salmon says clients are looking for more from a broker these days than just a simple website listing, his advice comes at a time when the UK boat market is in a state of flux, according to one UK Trade Association

"Web sites are great, and we all need them in business, but you still have to engage your clients face to face", Salmon told Afloat.ie

The Irish company has the biggest brokerage stand at the British marine showcase event at the EXCEL centre in London's docklands. 

The MGM brokerage stand has had an average of 100 inquires a day since last Saturday. Salmon says he has had to put on extra staff to cope with demand.

"We get the listings because the clients see the level of commitment we give their boat as well as the web site marketing we do" Says Salmon.

Aswell as a base in Dun Laoghaire, MGM boats also has offices in Portugal, Belfast, Cork and on the UK south coast on the Hamble.

Encouragingly, there is a real buzz of activity at the 2014 show. 'we have had more Irish visitors to our stand this year ,than in the past five years. It's great to see our clients showing confidence and optimism. Bring on 2014" he concludes.

#londonboatshow – There's no time to waste to get your ticket! This year's London Boat Show is shaping up nicely with 63 debut launches (and more in the pipeline). Among the exhibitors are Irish firms BJ Marine and MGM boats. 

All new to the UK is the Spitfire 18 and the Bavaria Cruiser 37 as well as brands making a welcome return including Volvo, Honda and Jeanneau. Plus Sir Ben Ainslie will be at the Show on January 8th with his J.P. Morgan BAR AC 45, which will be there every day.

Bowthrusters, dieseljets, Z-drives, hydraulic steering, modular cockpits and resin infused hulls are just some of the powerboating and motoryachting specifications that you can find at the Show. If you are looking to upgrade your boat or make that first time purchase there will be hundreds of new boat models with innovative designs and the latest technologies on display.

And if renovation or restoration is what you have in mind, then the Show has experts in every field of the industry to guide you each step of the way.

Serious about sailing?

Unique learning experiences such as traditional wooden boat building techniques through to choosing the right sail cloth and joining a club.

Cruising yachts, racing dinghies, multihulls and trailer sailors along with specialist advice all in one place, guarantees the Show has something not just for you but for all of your family and sailing friends.

#londonboatshow –  For the first time ever sailing and fine art come together in an opening regatta live at the Show. For three days Fine Art Sails, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between world class yachting and internationally acclaimed fine artists, will descend on the Show at ExCeL to bring something truly different and exciting for spectators and Show visitors.

On Friday 18 through to Sunday 20 January 2013, ten Star class keelboats will take to the waters of the Royal Victoria Docks, outside the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, to race in the introductory CNM Estates UK Star Championships.

The Olympic class boats, which were recently seen on the waters of Weymouth & Portland at the London 2012 Olympic Games, will be racing with a difference. Each mainsail will be completely covered in artwork by international artists such as Samantha Cameron's favourite EINE, Jaime Gili, INSA, Eley Kishimoto and MEAR ONE.

Over 18 renowned Olympic and World champion sailors, boasting up to 10 Olympic medals among them will be taking part in the regatta including triple Olympic medallist Iain Percy, double Olympic medallist Andrew Simpson and Olympic medallists Pippa Wilson, Ian Walker, Mark Covell, Michael McIntyre and Bryn Vaile.

Murray Ellis MD of National Boat Shows said: "We are delighted to be working with Fine Arts Sails to be hosting this inaugural regatta at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show. This event will be a great complement to the Show adding a special attraction for Show visitors. For anyone who loves sailing and racing this is a fantastic opportunity to go onto the dock edge to watch the live racing. It was seen recently at the Olympic Games how popular sailing is as a spectator sport and this event brings something exciting and new that can be seen at the Show."

CNM Estates, led by Property Entrepreneur Michael Ross, are proudly sponsoring the event. Mr. Ross, founder of Fine Art Sails, speaking of the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show Fine Art Sails event said: "This is such an exciting and original collaboration between two such unlikely bedfellows, I am delighted to have conceived an idea that has caught the imagination of both the sailing and the fine art communities. I anticipate a rather unique battle between these fiercely competitive sailors as they bid to sail under their favourite artist".

The spectacle of these boats on the doorstep of the Show racing and displaying fine art will appeal to many whether you are a sailing enthusiast, art fanatic or sports addict. Continuing the high spirits from this year's sailing events at the Games this event is sure to bring another element to the legacy of sailing.

#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.