Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Bombard

Following on from their Sun Odyssey promotion, which began six weeks ago, MGM Boats is offering a Spring Promotion on their selection of Zodiac and Bombard RIBs. The promotion is valid until 30th April 2024.

MGM have offerings from €30k up to €120k, so there is a model to suit everyone, whether it’s for pottering around in a 5m Bombard or spending full days on the water in a 6.8m Zodiac

The promotion applies to MGM’s current stock only, but of course, they can supply any of the other models from the Zodiac and Bombard range on request.

Zodiac & Bombard are the oldest and most established RIB builders on the market, with the first-ever inflatable boat, a ‘Zodiac’, being launched in 1922. The company began supplying RIBs to the French Military in the 1930s and the name has become synonymous with any rigid hulled inflatable boat across the globe.

Original inflatable boat, made by ZodiacOriginal inflatable boat, made by Zodiac

Mr Alain Bombard founded Bombard Inflatables after crossing the Atlantic unsupported in a 4.5m Zodiac in 1952. Bombard Inflatables is now a subsidiary of Zodiac and together they are the largest producer of RIBs in the world.

Alain Bombard, founder of Bombard InflatablesAlain Bombard, founder of Bombard Inflatables

Zodiac and Bombard owners benefit hugely from the strength of the brand. Compared to lesser known and low-quality outfits, there is strong re-sale and minimal depreciation. There is also the main dealer warranty support from MGM and the long-lasting quality of the boats themselves. MGM regularly see 20-year-old Zodiacs which are still going strong with no issues and only minor wear & tear.

Some of the models featured in the promotion are as follows: Zodiac Yachtline 490, Bombard Sunrider 500, Bombard Sunrider 550, Zodiac Open 6.5 Gulfstream, and Zodiac Medline 6.8.

The Zodiac Yachtline 490 is a premium tender-style RIB with dedicated seating for 6 and plush leather upholstery. It comes with a high spec and an upmarket feel to it.

Zodiac Yachtline 490Zodiac Yachtline 490

The Bombard Sunrider 500 and 550 are a great family run-around with comfortable seating for 6 and multipurpose usability. They are easily trailerable and will do everything you ask of them during a day of boating. The 550 benefits from increased deck space.

Bombard Sunrider 550Bombard Sunrider 550

The Zodiac Open 6.5 Gulfstream is a capable package with a sports orientated layout and excellent sea-keeping characteristics. There is a lot of open deck space to facilitate activity such as water sports, fishing or swimming. This boat is still very easy to operate yet has the size and fit-out for longer journeys and more adventurous trips.

The Zodiac Open 6.5 Gulfstream’s deck space lends itself to watersports & activityThe Zodiac Open 6.5 Gulfstream’s deck space lends itself to watersports & activity

The Zodiac Medline 6.8 is the cream of the nautical crop. MGM’s best-selling RIB with over 30 units sold, this model does everything, and it does it in style. It has dedicated seating for 10 with space enough to carry 14 passengers. You will find sunbathing space, a proper table, a U-shaped cockpit, a ski mast, a fully kitted dashboard, a transom walkthrough, extended swimming platforms, a stainless steel bimini, wakeboard storage, and much more. The performance is exceptional with top speeds up to 55 knots and a solid hull keeping things comfortable in coastal sea conditions. This model allows owners to enjoy the best of boating whether with adrenaline junky friends or with kids and family.

Zodiac Medline 6.8 from MGM Boats offers everything you could need in a day boatZodiac Medline 6.8 from MGM Boats offers everything you could need in a day boat

MGM’s stock boats are available for viewing by appointment at their head office in Dun Laoghaire, and new owners can rest assured that they will be expertly guided throughout the entire sale process. MGM offers tuition and familiarisation as part of the purchase, so whether you are experienced or trying boating for the first time, you will be comfortable and confident when you take your new boat away.

The Spring Promotion is a significant cash discount on the retail price, and MGM is inviting customers to get in touch now to discuss viewing and taking the next step. Call in to the office, call 01-2802020 or email [email protected] today. It’s time to get on the water.

Published in MGM Boats
Tagged under

National Watersports Campus, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Stakeholders combined forces in 2019 to promote a project to improve the Harbour’s infrastructure resulting in improved access, job creation and greater tourism potential. 

A grant application to government made by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) assisted by stakeholders was successful with the announcement of a €400k feasibility study grant from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) in January 2020.

It meant plans for the €8m National Watersports Campus at Dun Laoghaire Harbour got the green light from Government and came a step closer to reality.

The project recognises deficits in the current set up in the harbour, proposing the construction of an all-tide publicly-accessible slipway (none currently in the Greater Dublin Area) as well as a marine services facility, providing a much-needed home for the supporting industry. 

The campus also seeks to provide a marketing framework to make boating more accessible to the general public.

The benefits of such an increase might be obvious for the Dun Laoghaire waterfront but there are other spin-offs for the harbour town in the creation of the sort of jobs that cannot be shipped abroad.

Centre for Community Watersports activity and public slipway

  • High-Performance coaching centre
  • Flexible Event Space for hosting national and international events
  • Multipurpose Building
  • Campus Marketing and Promotional Centre
  • Accommodation for Irish Sailing and Irish Underwater Council
  • Shared NGB Facility
  • Education Centre for schools, community groups and clubs
  • Proposed site – Carlisle Pier

Watersports Campus FAQs

Similar to the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, the watersports campus will provide quality, public, recreational and high-performance facilities for the many watersports participants. The Campus will considerably enhance the services currently provided by more than 30 clubs and activity centres to over 50,000 annual users of the harbour.

The passing of control of the harbour to DLRCC, the public appetite for a community benefitting project and the capital funding for sports infrastructure in the Project 2040 National Plan have aligned to create an opportunity to deliver this proposal.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and the Irish Sailing Association (Irish Sailing) are the project leads, endorsed by the National Governing Bodies of other Irish watersports and clubs and activity providers.

The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, established the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to provide Exchequer support for sports facility projects. In some cases, these may be projects where the primary objective will be to increase active participation in sport. In other cases, these may be venues where the focus is more related to high-performance sport.

Government has allocated at least €100m over the term to 2027 to successful applicant projects.

The Watersports Campus was one of seven successful applicants for Stream 1 funding allowing planning to commence on the project design and feasibility. €442,000 has been granted in this phase.

NThe project will provide for a municipally-owned public access facility to include a small craft slipway that is accessible at all stages of the tide (currently none in public ownership in the greater Dublin area), storage and lock-up resources, watersports event management space, a high-performance centre and NGB accommodation.

The project aims to enhance the profile of Dun Laoghaire as a major international venue for maritime events, shows and conferences. Establish Dun Laoghaire as the 'go-to place' for anything marine – generating revenues Create employment in the county - attract businesses, visitors and events. Grow the market for watersports Promote the services of activity providers to the public. Complement the plan to develop Dun Laoghaire as a 'destination.'

As of January 1 2021, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has approved the applicant project and DLRCC are expected to appoint a team to further advance the project.

©Afloat 2020