Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

If this is the case, then April 24th represents a two-year high for boat owners as the biennial Lombard On-the-Water boat show comes around again and the Malahide Marina open its doors to four days of buying and selling with most of it geared towards newcomers. There will be over a dozen Irish debuts for international craft – both sail and power – when the Lombard Boat Show opens but such is the buoyancy in the marine market, most of Ireland’s marine companies have been able to sail their biggest ever models directly in to the marina. Ireland’s prime exhibition venue at the RDS is just too small for the biggest boats that Irish dealers are now selling so Malahide is a breath of fresh air. With over one hundred boats on offer, it’s also one of the country’s biggest consumer exhibitions. Take Bernard Gallagher, for example, managing director of BJ Marine, one of the biggest and longest established firms. He will be exhibiting 30 craft from the new SeaRay, Bénéteau and Cranchi ranges – more than €1.5 million in stock. On the BJ stand alone three models make their Irish debuts. BJ’s stand is typical of what’s on offer across the show in what is a true manifestation of the strength in the industry. But Gallagher, a driving force in boating for many years, is now only one of a handful, and he also remembers the bad times. This sell-out show stands in marked contrast with the 1985 event when the Irish Marine Federation was urging the Government to reduce VAT on marine items from a staggering 35 per cent to 23 per cent. At that time the industry could barely muster enough boats to fill one hall at the RDS complex. Now the story has moved on and while the industry still niggles that VAT should be further reduced to match our nearest neighbour at 17.5%, the main thrust of this show is to dispel the crusty image that sailing is an elitist pastime. If icebergs and southern ocean storms are not on your top ten list of things to see this summer – and if even tossing an anchor overboard for a family picnic sounds like a far-fetched idea – you might well be surprised to find that taking your first steps afloat are easier than you think. Companies such as MGM Marine and HM Yachts will be unveiling a French powerboat, the Jeanneau Prestige Flybridge 42, with an electronic hard top as well as 29 other boats including the show’s biggest boat, the Sunseeker Manhattan 60. Just back from January’s London boat show with impressive sales, Martin Salmon of MGM Marine predicts steady growth this year in spite of the doom and gloom about the economy. The Dún Laoghaire company has the leading British Sunseeker brand and sold an 82-foot yacht valued at stg£2.5m plus tax. MGM will be exhibiting both the Manhattan 60 and the 47-foot Portofino at the show. BJ Marine, who distribute the French Bénéteau power and sail range, will be there in force debuting the Flyer 40 that comes complete with joystick berthing, the very latest in modern technology that is sweeping through the marine industry. The majority of the exhibits are made up of a wide selection of power craft, from Aquador to Zodiacs with dozens of major brands represented. In Afloat magazine’s dedicated powerboat issue, published in February, a buyers guide revealed that there were over 150 different makes on the market. The Scandinavian range Aquador, also from MGM, make an impact with the launch of the new Aquador 28 cabin. In the fishing/day boat market, from 20 foot long and upwards, there’s a lot of choice between Arvor, Bavaria, Ocqueteau, Quicksilver, Bénéteau and Jeanneau as well as another new Swedish line, the Uttern range, through Kingston Marine of Cork. In spite of the glitzy dominance of imported craft, Irish boats continue to make their mark in the crowded market place. O’Sullivan Marine of Tralee will have the biggest range and its managing director, Brian O’Sullivan, who is the current chairman of the IMF, will be exhibiting his OSM range with a dozen models of motorboats that the company has been building since 1966. Other Irish builders include Rib builders Lencraft from Waterford, while motor cruiser builder Ernecraft from Fermanagh is exhibiting the ISIS range. The fact that it is becoming a crowded market means even better value for the customer. At the international London boat show in January, for example, some of the sterling ‘boat show offer prices’ displayed there were merely the standard prices being charged at home. There is also excellent value on US imports with some dealers quoting in dollars. One of the biggest sailing boats on display is Whiterock Yachts’ Elan 43 footer, a yacht with four cabins that can sleep ten in comfort and a price tag from E200,000. Even if you want to buy this particular model, you can’t – like many of the display models, it’s already sold. But, without a doubt, Whiterock Yachts will not be long ordering another one for you. The proliferation of Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) in marinas around the coast is one of the most visible signs of the increasing boat stock. The reason is that there is a number of highly competitive package deals on offer that include everything you need to go afloat for the first time. Both of the major engine suppliers, Honda and Yamaha, are offering packages that include fully kitted-out boats with road trailers. Four metre packages work out for under E20,000 inc VAT. It’s true the range of boats and amount of product on show might seem a little bewildering and there will still be a few young guns eager to show off the latest in marine technology, but all anyone really needs to remember in order to have fun with boats is to just add water. Most people’s ambition may never extend to a circumnavigation but as many old salts will tell you, the most memorable moments from a lifetime afloat were often their first simple experiences of pulling on a rope and feeling a boat accelerate beneath them. A number of different associations have joined the IMF in lending a hand to deliver the message that the boat show is the ideal entry point for novices to the sport. Waterways Ireland has produced a remarkable display of inland boating as a feature to encourage first timers onto our rivers and lakes. The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) as well as water safety bodies have clubbed together to promote getting started in a safe environment. And in a joint move with sailing schools, Irish Marine Federation (IMF) boat dealers are providing a complimentary lesson for all new craft purchased at the show. Anchoring your boat in the lee of Ireland’s eye for a picnic, therefore, or island hopping on a sun-kissed day in a secluded bay are not really unrealistic ideas at all if you make contact and get the right advice.