US Navy 7M Ribs

[V2d]

Anyone have any experience with the Willard 7M RIBS? I am considering getting one. I know there is work involved but as a mechanic, I have no worries.

[jyasaki]

No experience with them, nor have I ever heard of any other owners.

Quite a bit of info on their website, though:

http://www.willardmarine.com/


jky

[MASATS]

I have no direct experience with any of those Willard RIBS but I have always been intrigued. I have bid on a few, but they always exceed my limit. The last time GSA had them on auction one boat never sold because it did not meet the minimum reserve set by GSA. The others sold for around $8K to $14K. From what I am told by people who operated them for the Navy they are good boats, although under powered for anything but harbor use. That Cummins diesel is around 165hp. It is similar to the model installed in the Dodge trucks. The age of the tubes are an issue. Repair and refurbishment of the existing tubes will be a challenge. Better plan on new tubes. The hull should be sound if supported correctly on the ship. I would definitely look at the boat before I bid on one. Better yet have a surveyor look at it.

[Limey Linda]

Contact Sunrider, a member of this forum and in the US. he has rebuilt at least 3.

[sunrider]

Yes, I've reconditioned a few of them....just did sea trials on this one last weekend and will offer it for sale soon. they're great boats...and if you get one with the Konrad drive you're in luck. This one is a 315 Cummins turning a Hamilton 273 jet - and I did a lot of upgrades during the refit. I would say Willard is a good choice...the hull is a match for the Zodiac 730; both sold to the military under the same specifications and the hull has proven itself in heavy weather many times.

[Left Coast STi]

wow sunrider that RIB is off the hook. I just picked up a 19' Nautica project boat. I was looking for a ex Navy RIB first. How much will you be asking for that one? is that a Willard?

[sunrider]

Yes, it's a Willard - made in 1999 for Navy Special Operations use. I haven't set a price yet because I want to do some market research first on whether the economy is having an effect on prices. There are other Zodiacs and Willards like this on the market now (without jet or the custom upgrades) and they are priced from $32k to $85k so that's quite a range. I'm aware of two that recently sold that were basically stock surplus Willards that were reconditioned - one sold for $36k and the other for $56k - and I know of an ex-law enforcement Zodiac 730 with twin outboards that didn't sell at $25k. .....not sure what to make of all that info at the moment so may list it on eBay to test the market. thanks for the interest and good luck with your Nautica project.
bryan

[captnjack]

Willard has been around a long long time. They built trawlers for ages and recently switched to more lucrative lines like the RIBs you're seeing. I would trust their layups for sure.

[sunrider]

I've just posted my Willard for sale on eBay: here's the item number 130262984778. Will post this notice in a seperate thread here also for those who may be interested.

[columbiachop]

there's a video on here of a refurbished one running. the link is right below the picture


allthingsrib.com