Nimbus 380 coupe / Similar

[Sticky Fingers]

After a bit of a reverse turn I'm now interested in Nimbus ... anyone care to share a view?

Assume I'm able to spend 150-200k max on a used boat. Example things that I want to know...

- Single engine or twin?
- Aft cabin, useless or usable?
- Galley up - big enough?
- Build quality - is it up to what is claimed?

 

[Kawasaki]

After a bit of a reverse turn I'm now interested in Nimbus ... anyone care to share a view?

Assume I'm able to spend 150-200k max on a used boat. Example things that I want to know...

- Single engine or twin?
- Aft cabin, useless or usable?
- Galley up - big enough?
- Build quality - is it up to what is claimed?

In No particular order
Build Quality is above 'OK'
Not 'Bespoke' like some Makes but above 'MFI' and 'Ikea' in landlubbers criteria/terms
Galley up?
Good enough unless you are catering for masses
You say 380 coupe or similar?
Do you mean 380 Commander verses Coupe?
Plus have you thought about the 420/430 Coupe also?
I must admit to being a bit of a Nimbus enthusiast
I had an old 27 years ago
Recently sea trialed a (well last year) a 420 Coupe
Configuration did not suit the needs but a lovely boat though
Smaller aft cabins tend to end up as junk rooms!
IMHO

 

[Kawasaki]

After a bit of a reverse turn I'm now interested in Nimbus ... anyone care to share a view?

Assume I'm able to spend 150-200k max on a used boat. Example things that I want to know...

- Single engine or twin?
- Aft cabin, useless or usable?
- Galley up - big enough?
- Build quality - is it up to what is claimed?

Oh I forgot
'Singles or Twins' You ask enquire
Either or for Me
But twins if I was pushed
Fortunatley
Few Nimbus with the dreaded outdrives
Peeps will say they are great
Not for me those drainers of a Bank Balance!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

...
You say 380 coupe or similar?
Do you mean 380 Commander verses Coupe?
Plus have you thought about the 420/430 Coupe also?

...

Smaller aft cabins tend to end up as junk rooms!

Thanks. I meant the various versions of the Coupe, around that length. 420/430 in scope if affordable...

The size of the aft cabin esp on 38' and smaller remains a bit of a concern.

 

[oldgit]

If you intend sleeping aboard anywhere where there is likely to be a tidal flow or wave action against the hull, the advantage of a aft cabin (of any size) over one in the bow will be become immediately apparent, most probably around 02.00 in the morning.
For those who suggest that the gentle odd clonk lulls them to sleep, try a Bang Thud for half the night, esp if you have 05.00 ETD.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

We would always use the bow cabin, I'm not after an master-aft-cabin boat.

We do have adult friends and grown up children who join us, and the guest cabin has to be commodious enough to accommodate them in some degree of comfort. Very small cramped or claustrophobic guest cabins a non starter.

Can't do much about the wave slap.

 

[kashurst]

have a look at the Marex 370 - clever design and well screwed together

 

[Sticky Fingers]

have a look at the Marex 370 - clever design and well screwed together

That's novel, never seen one of those. Only two or three for sale in Europe. I like it.

Looks like the aft cabin has no accessible head unless you go up, forward via the cockpit, then down again. Is that right?

 

[Greg2]

That's novel, never seen one of those. Only two or three for sale in Europe. I like it.

Looks like the aft cabin has no accessible head unless you go up, forward via the cockpit, then down again. Is that right?

Yes, it is correct. We loked at one at SIBS a year or two back and very much liked what we saw but as you have identified, there aren’t a huge number on the market, probbaly because they are not a high volume builder. Thier model range is interesting and all make very good use of available space.

 

[Kawasaki]

Thanks. I meant the various versions of the Coupe, around that length. 420/430 in scope if affordable...

The size of the aft cabin esp on 38' and smaller remains a bit of a concern.

Having looked at and sea trialed the 42 Nova last year, what cames across was how easy the model is to moor up
Nice walk around deck and port and starboard easy access from the Helm
Nice flow through the vessel from the cockpit thtrough to the forward accomodation where two or three steps down.
Not sea trialled a 380 Commander but did not like the 'upstairs downstairs' configuration damm good boat but didn't flow inside like the Coupe
Lots crammed into the boat however not the style that suited
What did concern ref the 420/30 was there seems to be no protection from sea washing into the cockpit when the boat decelarates or in a following sea
The bathing platform and cockpit sole are at the same level with no 'ledge' or barrier of any sort to prevent the area getting flooded
The transom 'doors' are just open gates in a way
Spoke to the Nimbus people at Southampton about our concerns in this area
They were very good fair play
However we are not totally convinced the configuration might be a problem
Its only the Nova 42 and 43 which are built in this way
Other Novas are not if you look at brochures, specs and videos etc

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Thanks, yes, I saw that transom arrangement on some photos. TBH the Nova 42/43 probably out of budget anyway so might be academic

 

[Kawasaki]

345 Coupe’s are worth a look
‘Sensible’ money now
If sensible can be attached to boat purchasing!