Nimbus 320 owners - what's good and bad

stuartwineberg

stuartwineberg

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Starting to get a bit claustrophobic in my Hardy with its one open plan space now we have more time to go on longer trips. Looking for the elusive 30-32 foot solidly built mobo and the Nimbus 320 keeps coming to the top of the list. I know it has narrower side decks than the Hardy but how do folks find it?
 
Bump. No one on the entire Forum got one? Not sure if that's good news about them or not? There are certainly loads of them around the Solent. Possibly owned by people even older than me and who aren't on the interweb.
 
Hi Stuart,

Well, as no current owner has responded, I'll give my opinion as an ex-owner of a 2004 model Nimbus 320C, which I sold in July last year after three years ownership.

Mine had a Volvo D4 210hp engine, which gave around 22 knots at WOT, and comfortably cruised at 14/15 knots, burning around 1.8 litres per mile, and was fitted with a bow thruster, which is very useful with the single engine version.

Build quality was excellent, with no rattles or squeaks, and the teak wood interior with blue Alcantara upholstery looked very smart, and was easy to keep clean, though to keep the blue Alcantara from fading due to sun through the cabin windows, I always fitted the window covers, or kept the curtains closed when leaving the boat.

Mine had the offset forward double berth arrangement which, IMO, is the best layout.

Engine access for maintenance was very good, though renewing the SW pump impeller was slightly awkward, but using the Jabsco puller made the job a lot easier.

The semi-displacement hull handled the Solent chop with ease, though it did ship quite a lot of water over the bow when heading directly into the waves, though the twin wipers kept the screen clear.

The only reason I sold the boat was because I retired last year, and wanted to downsize to a small outboard- powered boat that I could use singlehanded with ease, and this I have found in my Finnmaster 61CA which I purchased earlier this year.

Overall, I would thoroughly recommend the Nimbus 320C and, whilst they aren't the cheapest boats of this size, IMHO, they are worth the extra outlay as the build quality beats the more mainstream boats hands down.

Hope this may be of assistance.

Cheers, Allan
 
I bought AlanG's boat and can confirm all he has said.
Perfect boat for a couple.
Great for ex sailors because its semi displacement hull means good sea keeping and good slow speed handling makes cruising at displacement speeds a frugal option when time and inclination allows. The downside would be the SD hull means no planing so cruising at 15 to 18 knots is your max but for ex sailors this still seems pretty fast ! But if you have a Hardy you are probably a SD fan already.
Relatively expensive but hold value well if looked after.
Side decks are narrow but good hand rails and deck rails compensate.
Second cabin a bit pokey for two adults but ok for kids. Good owners cabin for size of boat
Build quality is good.
Checking the raw water strainer is a pain. Irritatingly, you cannot just look in the top.
For complete relaxation when berthing get Osmotech to fit a stern thruster !
Blue hull is a head turner but more work to keep it looking good.
Great hatches means you can have that open boat feel on those rare hot sunny days but closed can be cosy for the other 364 days.
Good soundproofing makes it relatively quite so listening to the radio and normal conversation at 15k to 18k cruising is possible
IMHO its a good looking boat especially with the cockpit hood folded. It looks like a proper boat rather than an aerodynamic butter dish.
Long running design which has been tinkered with over the years means they got it right.
We are enjoying our switch from raggies to stinkpots but I still feel a bit like a bus driver when sitting at the helm!
 
No direct experience if the N320 but also consider the Aquador 32C which is a very similar boat.

I use one regularly and it's very well put together. The advantages are nice deep side decks with opening side doors from the wheel house. All are single engine and as with the nimbus the second cabin is a bit tight for two adults but it's ok for a weekend.
 
Thanks all - reassuring feedback and much as expected. The tight second cabin is hardly an issue as I don't have one at all at the moment. Blue hulls are a nuisance and I would prefer a white one - there are a few around although a good blue hull looks fantastic. I'm more inclined to the Yanmar engined ones as I have that power unit in the Hardy and it is very sound. The narrow side decks are an issue and I will need to make sure SWMBO is comfortable climbing out. We never have the canopy on a boat so that makes access a bit easier. I do like Aquador but I think they are all on outdrives which I wouldn't have.

Thanks again
 
having been a hottie all my years , my wife and I bought a year 2000 Nimbus 310 in October last year and have lots of praise for here , particularly in Solent chop. Yes side decks narrow but rarely need to venture out. If going alongside you can pick up a loop with a boat hook and put it on the mid ships cleat, all through the window with practice. Or if going stern to as we do now get it right and your wife can just step off the transom. There are always others to help ashore anyway unless you are unlucky. Second cabin ok for occasional guest use but fore cabin more comfortable than bed at home!
 
Interesting chat and we are much in the same boat; taking a break from hanging the rag and trying out a stinkie. Scope of use will be primarily short day trips on the South coast, occasional weekends away, trip to the Isles of Scilly, and French canals should time allow. First try was a Seaward 25 and a fabulous boat which is extremely well founded, but soon realised too small for our needs, no option for occasional guests, and the bunks are also too short for my 6’ 3”, so now looking at the usual contenders in the 30-35ft range. Not wishing to poach from Stuartwineberg’s original post here, but would love to hear any suggestions. Larger Seawards do not provide any greater accommodation until much larger and prices go up exponentially in the meantime, so have looked at the Hardy 32 but from the ones I have seen the forward cabin bunks are on the short side (only 6ft in length). This leads us to the Nimbus 310/320. We prefer the 320 over the 310 on account of the extra L shape seating in the cockpit, but both could do the job. I had not consider a Skilso before now, but will do more research on these. The narrow side decks are a concern with the Nimbus and in this regard the Aquador 32C may be better placed. Does anyone have any experience of the length of bunks in either the Nimbus or the Aquador?
 
I haven't measured mine, but I suspect the forward bunk is about 6 feet long. I'm 6 feet tall and fit nicely. You may find that, in practice, it's long enough as you can lie at a slight angle. Alternatively, you can sleep sideways - it's over 6 feet wide! If you do go for it, add a Shipshape mattress to the budget - best thing I ever bought for a boat.

It's true, the side decks are narrow but I've not found it a problem or given any cause for concern going forward (and I'm not the most nimble person). The trade off of course is the increased width in the saloon. On that subject, one of the key features of the 310 and 320 is the relatively unrestricted view out (and light coming in) from the saloon windows. The framing is probably lighter than most other boats in its class, particularly round the windscreen.

If you can find a 320, the extra length of the cockpit (about a foot) is an advantage. We have a couple of folding chairs and use the extra lift up seat as a footrest/table. A great lounging space.

All in all, it's the best boat I've ever owned (and I've owned several yachts and motor cruisers). The problem you might find is the shortage of boats for sale. There appears to be a couple on the UK market at present: Nimbus 320 Coupe For Sale | Norfolk Yacht Agency | NYB131308 and Nimbus 320 Coupe — David Morris Yacht Brokerage. Good luck with the search.
 
SimonD said:
I haven't measured mine, but I suspect the forward bunk is about 6 feet long. I'm 6 feet tall and fit nicely. You may find that, in practice, it's long enough as you can lie at a slight angle. Alternatively, you can sleep sideways - it's over 6 feet wide! If you do go for it, add a Shipshape mattress to the budget - best thing I ever bought for a boat.

It's true, the side decks are narrow but I've not found it a problem or given any cause for concern going forward (and I'm not the most nimble person). The trade off of course is the increased width in the saloon. On that subject, one of the key features of the 310 and 320 is the relatively unrestricted view out (and light coming in) from the saloon windows. The framing is probably lighter than most other boats in its class, particularly round the windscreen.

If you can find a 320, the extra length of the cockpit (about a foot) is an advantage. We have a couple of folding chairs and use the extra lift up seat as a footrest/table. A great lounging space.

All in all, it's the best boat I've ever owned (and I've owned several yachts and motor cruisers). The problem you might find is the shortage of boats for sale. There appears to be a couple on the UK market at present: Nimbus 320 Coupe For Sale | Norfolk Yacht Agency | NYB131308 and Nimbus 320 Coupe — David Morris Yacht Brokerage. Good luck with the search.
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Thanks SimonD and most helpful. Been on the forums debating between Aquador and Nimbus and concuss appears to be Nimbus is the better build and Aquador the more modern look/design, so Nimbus shaping up well for me.
 
If you're serious about a Nimbus you should be aware that the 310/320 was designed with a single engine. I'm not looking to start a single v twin engine debate, but it does make a difference on the Nimbus. The single engine has a decent amount of room to get round the engine. The prop shaft is supported by the shaft log; the prop sits right behind the rudder and is protected by a substantial skeg that supports the rudder. To fit twin engines (I believe at the request of the UK distributor) some space was taken from the guest cabin and still look like a tight fit. The shafts are supported by cutlass bearings and there are twin rudders behind the props which are not protected. You may or may not be bothered by the differences.

One other thing you should know. The 310/320 was never intended to dry out (even with legs). Again, you may not be bothered by this, but I found drying ability really useful on a previous twin keel boat.
 
Hi Stuart,

I went through exactly the same process as you and I ended up with an Aquador 32C. She is a great boat - better or worse than a Nimbus - very subjective. But I am delighted with her. A 1999 model with a KAMD 44 Volvo, 260hp, she is heavy but she cruises all day at 14kts. We really like the side doors and the walk-around side decks, much safer and easier to moor and dock. The twin sunroofs are good and the helm is rigged so that you can stand and poke your head out through the sunroof for berthing - a massive boon. Typical Scandi built quality and seakeeping credentials. And yes, single engine, shaft drive. I have had her two years now.
With regard to twin engined boats: I personally would aviod them in this type of boat. The Scandinavians designed the hulls for a single engine and basically shoe-horned in twin engines for the UK market. They add weight, increases fuel consumption, double the servicing and the port engine is an absolute pig to service as all the filters being on the port side of the engine are then hidden and squashed between the engine and the hull.
On that note: when I was looking for my boat a marine engineer commented on a thread I put up on here on this subject and he said that the port engine was a particular pig to service on the Skilso. You then have to wonder how diligent and determined the engineers have been in the past when looking after the port engine.
Good luck with your search and persevere. It took me ages to find the right boat but it was well worth it.
 
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