Nimbus 310s/320s - reliability

[TheOldCodger]

I am in the process of switching from sail to power, and currently researching possible boats to change to. Can anyone here comment on the reliability of Nimbus 310s and 320s. They look super boats, but is there a "bunch of trouble waiting for me under the bonnet" in these older boats. I am not a mechanic!
Most grateful for any views from current owners - Many thanks

 

[[164147]]

The Yanmars are pretty bomb-proof if maintained. Solidly built boats, but as with any boat 20 years old it depends how they've been looked after.

 

[Moonbeam]

Volvo D4 or Yanmar 4LH-STE

 

[Kawasaki]

I am in the process of switching from sail to power, and currently researching possible boats to change to. Can anyone here comment on the reliability of Nimbus 310s and 320s.

As a switch from sail to power
The Nimbus is a good a choice as any
Most Scandanavian are built properly and the 'users' use them!
What is under the bonnet on any older vessel is going to need some inspection and attention on an 'older'boat as you put it
Whicher make/model stick with shaft drives, dont be tempted by outdrives

 

[ashtead]

There seems to be a Nimbus dealer in Lymington yacht haven so they might be a source of info-they have a shiny new one with an outboard parked outside which looked rather fine for such craft even if my eye was primarily drawn to the secondhand lottery winner southerly/discovery across the road but that was a tad longer. Nimbus always seem to have owners who care based on my looking at adverts as it is a make I would favour if retiring from sailing along with aqua star types.

 

[TheOldCodger]

Thank you all for your comments thus far - most helpful. I had spotted the advice re outdrives and thanks again for that. I must also concentrate on selling my sail boat ( a Crabber 26 appearing on the market soon) whilst continuing to look at the power possibilities - Thanks again TOC

 

[[164147]]

There seems to be a Nimbus dealer in Lymington yacht haven so they might be a source of info-they have a shiny new one with an outboard parked outside which looked rather fine for such craft even if my eye was primarily drawn to the secondhand lottery winner southerly/discovery across the road but that was a tad longer. Nimbus always seem to have owners who care based on my looking at adverts as it is a make I would favour if retiring from sailing along with aqua star types.

Offshore Powerboats have been the sole distributor in the UK for the last 30 years.

 

[AllanG]

When I sold my sailing boat, I bought a 2004 Nimbus 320, with a single Volvo D4 210hp shaft drive engine. The build quality was excellent, and the members of the Nimbus Owners Club were very helpful and a great group. The boat was very solid in a seaway but, being a semi-displacement hull, it did ship water over the bow when heading into the Solent chop.

The 210hp engine was turbocharged, but with no supercharger, and access for engine maintenance was pretty good.

The offset double bed in the forward cabin was, in my opinion, a better option than the V-berth.

Overall, I can highly recommend the Nimbus 320, especially as the majority I saw were very well looked after by their owners.

 

[volvopaul]

Great boats , engine access can be challenging depending on which model , beware of the twin V drive versions as the shaft seal renewal can be expensive.