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Displaying items by tag: Zodiac RIB

MGM Boats describes the new Zodiac Open 5.5 that has recently landed at the boatyard in Dun Laoghaire Harbour as the 'Swiss army knife of boats'.

As regular Afloat readers will know, MGM Boats became Irish Zodiac distributors last December. In announcing the new distributorship, Dublin Bay-based MGM Boats also launched a promotion on the new Open 5.5 metre RIB, a popular size model in Ireland and this March arrival makes good on that promise.

With its excellent sea-keeping performance – thanks to its deep V-hull and its optimised deck plan, the Open is a great starter package and a lot more besides because it is pretty much at ease in all activities.

Thanks to its design, it is easily transportable, even with an inflated tube, it works for getaways, fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and sunbathing (we hope!)

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

More details from MGM Boats here.

Published in MGM Boats
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#ZODIACRIBS – Rigid Inflatable manufaturer Zodiac continues to evolve its range of RIBs, inflatable boats, tenders and liferafts with the some new concepts, new hulls and designs.

In addition to displaying three new models for the first time at today's Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, including the Cadet 310 Neo, Pro Classic 420 and the Yachtline Deluxe 420, Zodiac® has recently introduced a new, luxurious Medline range of boats as well as adding three new tenders to the Zoom range. To maintain their position as a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of Ribs, Zodiac® has also renewed its N-ZO, Pro, Pro Open and Cadet Ribs, ranges to give its customers more choice.

Trevor Newton-Walker, Customer Services Manager of Zodiac commented: "Our customers have a huge array of requirements when it comes to choosing the right boat, Rib or tender and Zodiac® is constantly striving to offer as many options as possible. This year alone we have added six new boats from 5m to 7.60m, eight new Cadet Rib models to many of our ranges and have re-designed seven boats so they can give the best performance possible when out on the water. Zodiac will continue to extend the possibilities for its customers in addition to leading the way in the design and manufacturing of RIBs".

The recent renewal of the Medline range with the Medline 500, 540 and 580 highlights Zodiac's® capabilities in creating a boat that makes sailing as stress free as possible both at sea and on land. Equipped with spacious sundecks and depending on the model size, a large aft bathing platform, this new range, complemented by new hulls, a new design and new tubes has been created to optimise time spent on-board.

Following the theme of luxury on-board, Italian designer Vittorio Garroni has once again used his exceptional talent to develop the new N-ZO 600, 680 and 760 with the needs of recreational boat owners in mind. Meeting necessary technical specifications and featuring exclusive lines, the N-ZO range is designed to offer passenger safety and comfort.

The ever popular Pro and Pro Open ranges have both been updated and re-designed to offer more options to customers and continue to be the perfect boats for water sports, fishing and relaxing. The models in the Pro range are now offered with a variety of tube designs and a choice between PVC or Hypalon™-Neoprene™ fabric in addition to a wide choice of colours. The re-designed Pro Open range incorporates bright and energetic accents of colour while the 550 is now equipped with a rear passenger seat which will safely and comfortably seat three passengers.

Purchasers of the Zodiac® Pro Classic 420, displayed at the Boat Show, alongside other models in the Sports Cruising Range have the option to customise the deck layout of the boat with various seat and console options to suit their individual requirements. Users are also offered a choice between a white or grey polyester hull and matching accessories. Available in red or black PVC or grey Hypalon™-Neoprene™, depending on the model, the Pro Classic was designed to offer unparalleled safety on board and includes a non-slip deck. The Pro Classic 420 offers a high load capacity, seating up to seven passengers.

Also on display at the London Boat Show is the Zodiac® Yachtline Deluxe 420, part of a sleek, attractive range of tenders, perfect for any yacht user. It now offers a choice on Hypalon™- Neoprene™ tube colours including white/blue, white/camel and white/grey. The tender has been designed with ultimate comfort in mind and can accommodate up to six people. The hull has been adapted to work in conjunction with heavy 4-stroke motors and bow rise is minimal making it incredibly easy to manoeuvre. In keeping with the beautiful design, all of the fittings on board, including the bow rail and mooring cleats are made from stainless steel.

Accommodating up to five people, the Zodiac® Cadet 310 Neo is equipped with a medium 'V' shaped fibreglass hull to provide excellent performance on the water. The large diameter buoyancy tube is available in Strongan™, an incredibly tough and durable fabric or Hypalon™- Neoprene™, which has a high shock absorbency and both provide advanced stability. Both materials are extensively tested to prove that it is seaworthy in all conditions, including exposure to UV rays in tropical conditions. The anti-skid fibreglass deck, combined with the bow storage locker makes it one of the most safe, comfortable tenders to sail, even in choppy waters.

Capitalising on its experience at sea, Zodiac® has expanded the Zoom range with three new dinghies including the Zoom 200 Roll Up, Zoom 260 Roll Up and Zoom 230 Aero. Known as a compact, robust range, the extension to the models already on offer presents customers with an affordable, safe option when sailing.

Zodiac® vessels are synonymous with style and safety. For more information please visit stand H105 at the Boat Show

Published in RIBs
Tagged under

Royal Irish Yacht Club - Frequently Asked Questions

The Royal Irish Yacht Club is situated in a central location in Dun Laoghaire Harbour with excellent access and visiting sailors can be sure of a special welcome. The clubhouse is located in the prime middle ground of the harbour in front of the town marina and it is Dun Laoghaire's oldest yacht club. 

What's a brief history of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The yacht club was founded in 1831, with the Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo being its first Commodore. 

John Skipton Mulvany designed the clubhouse, which still retains a number of original architectural features since being opened in 1851.

It was granted an ensign by the Admiralty of a white ensign with the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Ireland beneath the Union Jack in canton.

Many prominent names feature among the past members of the Club. The first Duke of Wellington was elected in 1833, followed by other illustrious men including the eccentric Admiral Sir Charles Napier, Sir Dominic Corrigan the distinguished physician, Sir Thomas Lipton, novelist, George A. Birmingham, yachtsman and author, Conor O'Brien, and famous naval historian and author, Patrick O Brian. 

In the club's constitution, it was unique among yacht clubs in that it required yacht owners to provide the club's commodore with information about the coast and any deep-sea fisheries they encountered on all of their voyages.

In 1846, the club was granted permission to use the Royal prefix by Queen Victoria. The club built a new clubhouse in 1851. Despite the Republic of Ireland breaking away from the United Kingdom, the Royal Irish Yacht Club elected to retain its Royal title.

In 1848, a yachting trophy called "Her Majesty's Plate" was established by Queen Victoria to be contested at Kingstown where the Royal Irish Yacht Club is based. The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland at the time, George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon suggested it should be contested by the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the Royal St. George Yacht Club in an annual regatta, a suggestion that was approved by both clubs with the Royal St. George hosting the first competitive regatta.

The RIYC celebrated its 185th Anniversary in 2016 with the staging of several special events in addition to being well represented afloat, both nationally and internationally. It was the year the club was also awarded Irish Yacht Club of the Year as Afloat's W M Nixon details here.

The building is now a listed structure and retains to this day all its original architectural features combined with state of the art facilities for sailors both ashore and afloat.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's emblem?

The Club's emblem shows a harp with the figure of Nice, the Greek winged goddess of victory, surmounted by a crown. This emblem has remained unchanged since the foundation of the Club; a symbol of continuity and respect for the history and tradition of the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's ensign?

The RIYC's original white ensign was granted by Royal Warrant in 1831. Though the Royal Irish Yacht Club later changed the ensign to remove the St George's Cross and replace the Union Jack with the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland, the original ensign may still be used by British members of the Royal Irish Yacht Club

Who is the Commodore of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The current Commodore is Jerry Dowling, and the Vice-Commodore is Tim Carpenter.

The RIYC Flag Officers are: 

What reciprocal club arrangements does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have?  

As one of Ireland's leading club's, the Royal Irish Yacht Club has significant reciprocal arrangements with yacht clubs across Ireland and the UK, Europe, USA and Canada and the rest of the World. If you are visiting from another Club, please have with a letter of introduction from your Club or introduce yourself to the Club Secretary or to a member of management staff, who will show you the Club's facilities.

What car parking does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have at its Dun Laoghaire clubhouse?

The RIYC has car parking outside of its clubhouse for the use of its members. Paid public car parking is available next door to the club at the marina car park. There is also paid parking on offer within the harbour area at the Coatl Harbour (a 5-minute walk) and at an underground car park adjacent to the Royal St. George Yacht Club (a 3-minute walk). Look for parking signs. Clamping is in operation in the harbour area.

What facilities does the Royal Irish Yacht Clubhouse offer? 

The Royal Irish Yacht Club offers a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere in one of the best situated and appointed clubhouses in these islands. Its prestige in yachting circles is high and its annual regatta remains one of the most attractive events in the sailing calendar. It offers both casual and formal dining with an extensive wine list and full bar facilities. The Club caters for parties, informal events, educational seminars, themed dinners and all occasions. The RIYC has a number of venues within the Club each of which provides a different ambience to match particular needs.

What are the Royal Irish Yacht Club's Boathouse facilities?

The RIYC boathouse team run the launch service to the club's swinging moorings, provide lifting for dry-sailed boats, lift and scrub boats, as well as maintaining the fabric of the deck, pontoon infrastructure, and swinging moorings. They also maintain the club crane, the only such mobile crane of the Dun Laoghaire Yacht Clubs.

What facilities are offered for junior sailing at the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

One of the missions of the Royal Irish Yacht Club is to promote sailing as a passion for life by encouraging children and young adults to learn how to sail through its summer courses and class-specific training throughout the year. 

RIYC has an active junior section. Its summer sailing courses are very popular and the club regularly has over 50 children attending courses in any week. The aim is for those children to develop lifelong friendships through sailing with other children in the club, and across the other clubs in the bay.
 
Many RIYC children go on to compete for the club at regional and national championships and some have gone on to represent Ireland at international competitions and the Olympic Regatta itself.
 
In supporting its young sailors and the wider sailing community, the RIYC regularly hosts junior sailing events including national and regional championships in classes such as the Optmist, Feva and 29er.
 
Competition is not everything though and as the club website states:  "Many of our junior sailors have gone on the become sailing instructors and enjoy teaching both in Ireland and abroad.  Ultimately, we take most pleasure from the number of junior sailors who become adult sailors and enjoy a lifetime of sailing with the club". 

At A Glance – Royal Irish Yacht Regatta 2023 Dates

  • RS Feva East Coast Championships - 6th May to 7th May 2023
  • Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta - 6th-9th July 2023
  • Cape 31 Irish National Championships
  • RIYC Junior Regatta
  • J Cup Ireland 2023 - August 26th/27th 2023
  • Annual Pursuit Race

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