Nautica Widebody 7M Mil Pro?

zip · 05 August 2015, 13:10

Patrick has just notified me of a local boat that has come up for sale, that I hope to go look at in the next day or so.

I talked to the owner yesterday and he informed me that it is an ex NAVY SEAL boat, which I have to assume would be built to Mil Specs.

With the information I have gained from this site, I have learned quite a bit about the Willard, and Zodiac 7M Mil Pro boats.

I didn't know that Nautica had one too.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these boats?

Patrick, thanks for the heads up.

As usual, any and all input appreciated.

capntroy · 06 August 2015, 04:39

I know of a few Nauticas that the SEALs had for test & evaluation going back to the early 90's and some that were built for very specific jobs, like chasing dolphins, but I don't think that they were ever in widespread use with the teams like the Hurricanes, Willards & USMI boats...

I'd take any claims of milspec construction with a grain of salt...in any event, the Nautica RIB's are not as stout as Willards or Hurricanes, and I own a 36' Nautica...

zip · 06 August 2015, 13:16

Great info.

Do you think as a novice I would see any measurable difference in performance over a 733 or 730?

office888 · 06 August 2015, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

Great info.

Do you think as a novice I would see any measurable difference in performance over a 733 or 730?

If you're a fair weather boater, probably not.

cgoing · 06 August 2015, 15:34

From personal experience with these I can tell you the tubes were fairly well built. The hulls, well at least some of them, however are built like crap. I had a Nautica 25 that the deck failed on and I have had numerous customers with hull issues as well. There seemed to be a lot of short cuts taken on glass work.

zip · 07 August 2015, 03:58

I'm definitely an all season boater, and would like to feel comfortable knowing I can get home if I get caught in a small craft advisory.

I took a look at the boat today, and it is not a 7M like it thought. I believe it is listed at 25 feet long.

I found the boat to be in fair condition. It is being used commercially, and has definitely been well used.

It really is a widebody, and that 300 hp looks huge.

Unlike the 730 and 733, the rear of the tubes are in the water.

It is being sold with a trailer.

The owner is a very nice man who I believe is honest, ethical, and I feel he provided full disclosure about the history, and known issues.

It is a nice boat, but I am not sure it is the right boat for me.
I hope to look at another Willard or 733 this weekend.

RyanPratt · 07 August 2015, 20:26

They are good stepping stone boats if you are looking at light use. I have had several and fixed several. they are not in the same league as a 733 or 730, but are considered fair boats based on care. We have had several decks delaminate and a few transoms fail.

willk · 07 August 2015, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanPratt

.... but are considered fair boats based on care. We have had several decks delaminate and a few transoms fail.

Hmmmmmm....

RyanPratt · 07 August 2015, 21:06

I will give a little more detail. I dont believe they are good for commercial use. All the ones i have seen fail were used commercially.

willk · 07 August 2015, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanPratt

I will give a little more detail. I dont believe they are good for commercial use. All the ones i have seen fail were used commercially.

Hey, no criticism of your post intended - more my initial reaction to a boat that should only be used for leisure boating! I think that's not the worst thing in, say, a bassboat - but not what most folks buy a RIB for (pushing the envelope a bit).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqInkUNG0aU

zip · 08 August 2015, 03:47

I did see some cracks in the glass and in the frame of the t top that led me to believe that the boat had done some flexing.