DavidMcMullan
Well-Known Member
Have any of the readers got any first hand feedback (good or bad) of the Nimbus 380 Commanders? Thanks, David.
Feedback on Nimbus 380 Commanders?
- Thread starter DavidMcMullan
- Start date
Greg2
Well-Known Member
Not first-hand feedback but we have considered the 380 and previous 370 as options to the point of viewing several. Interesting layout that has many benefits but as a slight downside crams the two cabins and heads in a bit up front. Overall build quality has always appeared to be what you would expect from Nimbus i.e. very good. Can’t say what they handle like but would expect them to be good seaboats and have read reviews which indicate such. Hopefully someone with actual experience will be able to comment more authoritatively.
EricJ
Well-Known Member
There was an article on these boats in a recent issue of Motor Boat Owner. It only requires registration to check out this online magazine.
Cheers
Eric
Cheers
Eric
IDAMAY
Well-Known Member
A few years ago we accompanied one round Lands End in quite challenging conditions. It seemed to handle the seas very well for a boat of that size. Have also been on board a couple in harbor. As said above, they were well up to normal Nimbus standards of quality.
kevingreystones
Active Member
Might be worth you contacting the Nimbus Owners Club for feedback , I did consider one in Torquay last year but found the layout confusing so we opted for a new Nimbus 305 Coupe instead, happy to share my reasons if that would help.
EricJ
Well-Known Member
I’d be interested in your reasons and experience with the 305 Coupe. Especially the space in cabins and heads.
QBhoy
Well-Known Member
Has there ever been anything but a good nimbus. One of the best in my opinion.
kevingreystones
Active Member
Agree, just got back from two days on my 305 , just love the boat , and enjoying winter boating with no-one at sea !!!
QBhoy
Well-Known Member
Always wanted one. Command strong money used.
Karearea
Active Member
We imported a 2005 Commander 380 from Nthn Ireland in 2016 and have never regretted it. Nordic Blue is a great sea boat and has taken us round the northeast NZ coast from Whitianga to Whangaroa. She has coped with big seas in Colville Channel (well known for rough water) and north of Cape Brett. Our cruising speeds are 16-18 knots on voyages or 7 knots in suitable conditions with no time constraints.
The quality of construction (monitored by Det Norske Veritas) and refinement of the finish is impeccable and the interior arrangement suits us perfectly. Having Volvos on 'V' drives under the cockpit (easy pre-voyage engine checks) and two steps down from cockpit to saloon enables a full flybridge but low centre of gravity and windage. I would not own a boat in NZ without an open flybridge (for unobstructed helming and viewing of whales, dolphins, penguins and other wildlife) and 95% of our fine weather travelling is flybridge helmed.
We are planning a 500nm month long trip this January. It will start at Hobsonville Marina in Auckland Harbour, go round the Coromandel Peninsular, down to Whitianga then up to Whangaparapara and Smokehouse Bay on Great Barrier Island. From there we will go to Whangaruru via Mokohinau Group and The Poor Knights Islands. We will go past the Bay of Islands and through the Cavalli Channel to Whangaroa.
We leave Whangaroa, explore the Bay of Islands, call at Whangarei the head for home.
Our annual trips to the UK incorporate our attendance at the Nimbus Owners Club AGM and Rally in Lymington and we would recommend joining this very sociable group should you buy a Nimbus.
Hope the above has helped in your decision making but I am happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
Cheers, Grae
The quality of construction (monitored by Det Norske Veritas) and refinement of the finish is impeccable and the interior arrangement suits us perfectly. Having Volvos on 'V' drives under the cockpit (easy pre-voyage engine checks) and two steps down from cockpit to saloon enables a full flybridge but low centre of gravity and windage. I would not own a boat in NZ without an open flybridge (for unobstructed helming and viewing of whales, dolphins, penguins and other wildlife) and 95% of our fine weather travelling is flybridge helmed.
We are planning a 500nm month long trip this January. It will start at Hobsonville Marina in Auckland Harbour, go round the Coromandel Peninsular, down to Whitianga then up to Whangaparapara and Smokehouse Bay on Great Barrier Island. From there we will go to Whangaruru via Mokohinau Group and The Poor Knights Islands. We will go past the Bay of Islands and through the Cavalli Channel to Whangaroa.
We leave Whangaroa, explore the Bay of Islands, call at Whangarei the head for home.
Our annual trips to the UK incorporate our attendance at the Nimbus Owners Club AGM and Rally in Lymington and we would recommend joining this very sociable group should you buy a Nimbus.
Hope the above has helped in your decision making but I am happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
Cheers, Grae
miket
Well-Known Member
We owned a 345 for a short while.
Quality was excellent but our immediately previous boat was a 1990’s Broom 37 with twin VP 306 hp and the difference in “space” internally and weight, was just too great.
The Nimbus is very well constructed but relatively lightweight. It leans a lot on corners and can be alarming if caught in the wash of another boat.
Horses for courses?
Quality was excellent but our immediately previous boat was a 1990’s Broom 37 with twin VP 306 hp and the difference in “space” internally and weight, was just too great.
The Nimbus is very well constructed but relatively lightweight. It leans a lot on corners and can be alarming if caught in the wash of another boat.
Horses for courses?
exec2k
New Member
I have been looking after a friends commander 380 in Essex for a few years now and find them very easy to work on . Engine room allows easy access around both port and starboard for maintenance . Very well made boat and great at sea and close quarters. Decks are safe and useable not like most makes.
Timkprice
New Member
We have owned a 380 Commander since 2015 (2008 boat) Excellent boat, well made, good sea keeping, easy to handle in a marina. Twin D4 300 give easy 20-23 knot cruising. Nimbus back up excellent, have ordered several parts on their website, arrived from Sweden in a couple of days. No real downsides, berths are a bit short, OK for me at 5”11”‘ but would check comfort if you are over 6ft.
