Jeanneau is celebrating 40 years of its iconic Cap Camarat range of cruisers.

Since the creation of the line in 1982, an incredible 62 models have been launched by the French boating marque — and Cap Camarats continue to lead as the prime example for cruising in Europe.

Today, over 35,000 Cap Camarats cruise on waters around the world, whether used for sport or relaxing with family, and new models are continually renewing the range’s spirit, Jeanneau says.

What’s more, the maker says that its outboard line has also become an international reference in its class.

And across all their variances and differences, all share the same heritage: incomparable seaworthy qualities, clever improvements, unequalled comfort on board and a timeless elegance.

For further details get in touch with MGM Boats, Irish agents for Jeanneau.

MGM Boats in Dun Laoghaire are delighted to introduce a new range of electric and low-HP diesel-powered boats from Polish brand Delphia, a part of the Beneteau Group.

The Delphia 11 comes in electric and diesel versions — in an elegant Sedan or luxurious Fly­Lounge layout — and among its many remarkable features is its purposely designed solar power (photovoltaic) system, which means you can extend your stay in a secluded area without having to worry about visiting a marina to recharge your batteries.

Meanwhile, the diesel-powered Delphia 12 also comes in Sedan and Fly­Lounge versions, with key features including its low-noise operation, its easy manoeuvring thanks to powerful thrusters and a shallow draft with a 100% displacement hull specially designed by Tony Castro for navigating inland waterways.

For more details on the Delphia range of cruisers, check the MGM Boats website and follow on Facebook.

Earlier this month, MGM Boats took out the brand-new Zodiac Medline 6.8 for a spin on Dublin Bay to put the RIB through its paces.

Designed for long days on the water, the Medline 6.8 promises to delight with its exclusive comfort and onboard security.

That means room for 10 to 14 passengers, with two relaxing spaces and a rear U-lounge which can be converted to another relaxing area, with five lockers for safe stowage.

And the icing on the cake? Its signature hull, which provides high stability even on the roughest of seas.

See the MGM Boats website for more on the Zodiac Medline 6.8 and its availability.

Leading motor yacht brand Prestige has launched the M48 as the first model of its new M-Line.

The M48 is a luxury power catamaran described as “a major step” for the French company and is positioned as “an all-new experience in the art of living well”.

Space is of the utmost importance, with the M48 being cast as “a villa that opens onto the sea”. That means a generous, brightly lit interior with a 20sqm flybridge, and extra-large sun lounge and a volume equivalent to a 60ft yacht in a 50ft vessel.

And the inverted bow design helps “contribute to a unique and harmonious design signature”, says designer Camilo Garroni.

Visits and sea trials are scheduled in Cannes on 9-10 June, ahead of the M48’s premiere at the Cannes Boat Show in September.

Prestige’s Irish agents MGM Boats will have more details in the coming weeks.

Dun Laoghaire yacht broker MGM Boats be exhibiting on the Prestige Yachts, Lagoon Catamarans and Jeanneau Sail & Powerboat stands for the full duration of the show from 7-12 September.

Gerry Salmon, Ross O’Leary and Joss Walsh will be available to show over a host of new models for 2022 at the event, which will cover two exhibition spaces at the Vieux Port and Port Canto.

As the Cannes boat show promises as usual to be a very busy boat sales event, the MGM Boats team advises making a prior appointment to view your choice of boat:

• Prestige: 420, 520, 590, 460 S, 690 X70
• Lagoon: Seventy7, Sixty5, 55, 46, 42, 40
• Jeanneau Sail: Sun Odyssey 410, Sun Odyssey 440, Sun Odyssey, 490, 54, 60
• Jeanneau Power: Leader 36, Merry Fisher 1095 Fly, Cap Camarat 12.5 WA, NC 37, Merry Fisher 10.95, Cap Caramat 10.5 WA

To make an appointment or if you would like to receive further information on the boats displayed, contact the sales team at [email protected]

Next month's Cannes Yachting Festival, from September 7th to 12th 2021 in Southern France sees the profiling of Zodiac’s XXL boat: the Medline 9.

This boat, which has been on the market for a year, will be available for sea trials during the show.

The XXL has all the essential features for spending long periods afloat: equipped with a cabin and removable bed (optional), it's possible to spend a few days on board.

A toilet, a shower, and a kitchen are also added to the standard equipment. The Medline 9 has a double bow and rear sundeck can accommodate up to 14 people, and its bolster can accommodate up to 3 people (two adults and a child).

To store all the equipment and essential items for a nice trip, Zodiac has designed seven optimised storage compartments.

The Medline 9 can reach a maximal speed of 55 knots with dual engines of 2x350CV.

The Irish Zodiac agents are MGM Boats, headquartered in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

According to Irish agents MGM Boats of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, Jeanneau has been developing its successful Merry Fisher Marlin line and a redesign is promised for the 2022 season.

Its name is evolving too, and will now be known as the Merry Fisher Sport, reflecting the boat adaptability for multiple outdoor activities.

"A priority has been given to greater exterior space and more comfortable cruising, sheltered from the elements, which will be very welcome in Irish waters", Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats told Afloat.

The latest of this generation is the Merry Fisher 795 Sport Serie2, which benefits from some major innovations.

A generously sized open aft cockpit features a superb saloon, convertible to adapt to your needs. The three bench seats fold up to provide more open space

This new boat offers large living areas and an excellent flow of movement due to deeply recessed side decks for safe passage between the aft and forward cockpits.

The forward cockpit offers an unequalled level of comfort aboard a boat of this size, as this vast space, safe for fishing, can be transformed easily into a forward saloon for the family or a
sundeck.

The new hull is compatible with engines starting at 150 HP and up to 250 HP maximum engine power, for even more fun.

More on the Jeanneau range in Ireland on the MGM Boats website here

"Hull, appendages, sail plans, design and ergonomics, layouts, weight estimates... everything has been designed, down to the smallest details, to make her the best sailboat in her size category" That's the bold claim Jeanneau about its latest launch in Ireland of the Sun Odyssey 380 through agents MGM Boats of Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

There's no doubt the Sun Odyssey line continues to grow for the French manufacturer. This is the eighth generation of Sun Odyssey, which already includes the Sun Odyssey 440 and 490, and most recently, the Sun Odyssey 410. 

This new addition is designed by Marc Lombard for the naval architecture and the interior by Piaton Bercault for the interior.

"Jeanneau has gone all out to offer a simplified cruising experience on this new model. This is a great cruiser for the Irish market, she is well set up for owners to experience precious moments with friends and family", Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats told Afloat.

MGM Boats is one of Ireland's leading boat brokers operating internationally as well as throughout Ireland.

The Irish Laser Association's Masters Championship is for the first time introducing an innovative Novice Cup to encourage newer adult sailors to participate.

This year's Irish Laser Association's Masters Championship, sponsored by MGM Boats and taking place in Royal St. George Yacht Club is introducing a new format specifically for first-time adult competitors.

Less experienced sailors who enter the two-day event taking place on June 12th and 13th can elect to participate in the Novice Cup format. Only those who have not competed in a regional or national Laser event in the past 5 years can participate.

Participants will race in the same races as all other sailors but will only have the scores from their two best race results across both days counted. Participants can therefore choose to race on just one or both days and can decide to join in on however many races they wish.

Explaining the rationale behind the concept, local event chairperson Brendan Hughes said, "We've identified that some of our newer adult sailors in the Laser fleet across the country are somewhat intimidated by the thoughts of two full days on the water but would really love to participate in such a fun championship event. Therefore, we feel that this approach offers the flexibility to sail on one or two days and to sail as many races as people feel comfortable with."

The so-called Master's category of Laser sailing is for sailors aged 35 and over. While traditionally, the Masters is a smaller proportion of the overall fleet, there has been a massive upsurge in adults sailing Lasers across the country over the past 12 months.

Rachel Crowley who organises the Dun Laoghaire 'Laser Kindergarten' group for adults said; "The concept of the Novice Cup is brilliant. We are already planning a buddy system for newer sailors at this event; pairing them up with more experienced sailors who can give them support on and off the water. The Novice Cup means that everyone can compete at their own level and have lots of fun along the way!"

The early bird entry for the event closes this Sunday, May 30th. Anyone who enters before that date can benefit from a reduced fee plus entry into a raffle for a £100 voucher from Lennon Racewear.

Full event details are available here

The Irish Laser Association’s Masters Championships, sponsored by MGM Boats and taking place in Royal St. George Yacht Club on June 12-13 looks set to be the first national sailing competition of 2021.

Taking place just days after the Government restrictions are lifted on sports competitions at regional and national level, the organisers of this year’s event in Dun Laoghaire are expecting a lot of interest from both local and travelling sailors.

Ed Rice, event coordinator for the Irish Laser Association says that “We’re expecting upwards of 50-60 local boats to take part and probably another 20-30 boat travelling from outside of Dublin.”

This year’s event will be run in strict compliance with Irish Sailing’s recommendations for covid-safe event planning. In essence, this means that much of the on-site activities that normally take place at the club will be virtual. “We’ll be running a virtual race office and protest committee. Furthermore, all participants will be reminded to maintain social distancing ashore and we will encourage everyone to wear face coverings before and after sailing” says Rice.

Rice also announced that Dun Laoghaire’s MGM Boats will be the main sponsor for the 2021 event. “We’re delighted to have MGM Boats on board this year. They are an integral part of the sailing landscape in Dun Laoghaire and have been very supportive of us over the years.”

Ross O’Leary of MGM Boats, himself a Laser sailor, said “Single-handed sailing, in particular the Laser, has provided an opportunity during the pandemic for sailors who wouldn’t normally sail a dinghy to get out on the water. This is great for dinghy sailing and also for sailing in general. We’re proud to be associated with the activities of the Irish Laser Association locally and nationally”.

The so-called Masters category of Laser sailing is for sailors aged 35 and over. While traditionally, the Masters is a smaller proportion of the fleet, it seems that this year the event will draw record numbers of both male and female Masters sailors.

Event chairperson, Brendan Hughes who is captain of the class locally, outlined how prizes will be allocated. “There will be placing in both the Standard and Radial rig, plus there will be prizes in each of the 5 different Masters age categories, ranging from Apprentice Masters (35-45-year-olds), right up to Legends, aged 75+. We’re also delighted to announce that for the first time, there will be a dedicated trophy for the top female sailor in the Radial class, the MGM Boats Ladies Champion Trophy.”

Early bird entry for the Masters event is open from Monday 17th to Sunday 30th May. Event entries close on Friday 4th June. More here