Highlights

A high-quality 22ft RIB by renowned Floridian Nautica International
A very lightly used and high-quality craft understood to have cost £134K in 2012
A former tender to Superyacht “Gladiator” a highly specified and powerful craft
Twin axle Satellite trailer included

The Background

The origins of Nautica International date back to 1982 when Franco and Debbie Rossi started a company in New York which specialised in importing folding boats from Italy.

Franco had previously been a diver in the Italian Special Forces so knew many of the small Italian firms producing portable, folding boats of various types.

In 1985 the couple saw their first RIB (rigid inflatable boat) at the Genoa Boat Show and were inspired to move the business into the rigid-fiberglass-hull tender market. Today the Floridian company specialises in rugged, high-quality RIBs for the pleasure boat, military, and police markets.

The History

This 22ft RIB was purchased in 2012 as a tender to the £20M superyacht Gladiator. The craft was very lightly used and is reported to have cost around £134K.

The craft is named Mercury and was only sold on by the yacht’s owners when they replaced the craft with a tender costing close to £1M!

The Paperwork

There is a good depth of paperwork supplied with this craft as you will see from our photographic package. This archive includes the Nautica International owner’s manual, operating instructions for the various navigational and communications equipment, and a number of documents relating to the inboard Volvo Penta propulsion system.

The all-important United Kingdom Certificate of Registry dated to 15/01/24 is also included as is an invoice detailing some 2020 maintenance work on the included Satellite twin-axle trailer.

The Interior

The interior of Mercury is in excellent condition and the full range of removable cushions are included (pictured). They present very well indeed and clearly have been very lightly used. All lockers appear to be in a clean and dry condition.

The console appears to fully equipped with the necessary navigational and communications equipment including digital sonar gauge, 25W VHF radio and Garmin GPSMAP 400/500 Series chartplotter to name a few.

Additionally the craft is fitted with a bilge pump, navigation lights and a marine grade stereo system with sub-woofer.

The Exterior

The exterior of Mercury appears to be in great, clean condition with no areas of imperfection noted or reported. The fibreglass hull and inflatable sections all appear to be as you would expect from such a lightly used craft. All chromed fittings are bright and unmarked.

The pictured, galvanised, double-axle Satellite boat trailer is included in the sale and, as the pictures underscore, is also in great condition.

The Mechanics

For those in the know, the inboard Volvo Penta propulsion system of this RIB will be what sets it apart from many others which rely on outboard propulsion. Volvo Penta is a world leader in marine propulsion units and this craft is fitted with the powerful D3 220I-D diesel unit pushing out a significant 220hp.

All mechanical systems are understood to be in excellent condition, in keeping with the light use this craft has seen throughout its life.

The Appeal

This is clearly a high-quality and highly specified RIB as you would expect from a superyacht tender originally costing well over £100K. All handbooks, keys and manuals are present and high quality electrical and navigational equipment is included.

This represents a rare opportunity to acquire a desirable craft from a reputable manufacturer. With the Satellite trailer included, this boat is ready to take away and to enjoy immediately.

With summer looming be sure not to miss this rare opportunity to own this beautiful craft.

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