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Old 05 August 2015, 14:10   #1
zip
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Nautica Widebody 7M Mil Pro?

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.
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Old 06 August 2015, 05:39   #2
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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...
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Old 06 August 2015, 14:16   #3
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Great info.

Do you think as a novice I would see any measurable difference in performance over a 733 or 730?
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Old 06 August 2015, 14:30   #4
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Quote:
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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.
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Old 06 August 2015, 16:34   #5
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Nautica

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.
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Old 07 August 2015, 04:58   #6
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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.
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Old 07 August 2015, 21:26   #7
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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.
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Old 07 August 2015, 21:53   #8
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.... but are considered fair boats based on care. We have had several decks delaminate and a few transoms fail.
Hmmmmmm....

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Old 07 August 2015, 22:06   #9
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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.
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Old 07 August 2015, 22:19   #10
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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).

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Old 08 August 2015, 04:47   #11
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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.
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