Nimbus v Aquador

AllanG

AllanG

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Hi,

I am considering the purchase of either a Nimbus or Aquador motorboat, and the models I am interested in are:-
Nimbus 280 Coupe
Nimbus 310 / 320 Coupe
Aquador 28C

As this would be my first motorboat, having sailed a 29 ft yacht for the past few years, I would be very grateful if anyone (Owner's) could give me advice / recommendations concerning the merits / faults of the above boats, including the differences between shaft and sterndrive power units.

I intend to use the boat for coastal cruising around the Solent region, with the boat kept on a fore and aft mooring.

I am not so interested in outright speed, but good sea-keeping is important.

Many thanks in advance.

Allan
 
Hi Allan,

I am an Aquador owner but of the smaller 23HT. The seakeeping of these boats is fantastic. Aquadors have hand holds where they should be, substantial S/S work and proper windsreen wipers. Add to this standard demisters and heating and they function well. They tend to plough through most seas but have the ability to nose up and over in the smaller stuff for what is quite a refined ride.

My only issue with the 28C is that there is no fixed outside seating and the aft cabin is rather unique! For two people cruising it would be great, for any more it may seem a bit tight. Will handle the Solent Chop no probs and get you accross the channel in most weathers.

Overall the Aquador is a great package with solid build quality but a unique rear cabin design.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
We had a Nimbus 31 Coupe for three years, very nice boat that ploughed through heavy seas with no problem (for the boat).

We were going across Poole Bay in a '5 gusting 6' (though I think it ended up more like '6 gusting 7' with heavy rain) at around 18 knots - this was with Robert Avery driving as he was onboard for a couple of days giving us some tuition - I was busy out in the cockpit feeding the seagulls my breakfast at the time so didn't learn much on that particular leg /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The layout is nice as when you're at anchor/moored up you can see what's going on around you through all the big windows unlike most planing boats with their little slit windows. Good size cockpit to sit out in too.

We had a single 200hp Volvo on shaft with a bowthruster which was useful as we had an awkward berth at Mercury marina on the Hamble for one year. Access to most things was good although getting to anything low down on the engine was always a bit of a struggle.

Build quality was very good and everything felt very solid.

Hope that helps /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I recenty bought an aft cabin Nimbus 280 (Familia) Very pleased with it.
PeterG commented> very nice boat that ploughed through heavy seas with no problem (for the boat). I'd say the same, the boat and I managed but my SWMBO was unfortunately very sick. This was on a run back from Weymouth to Poole on September 2nd. I would give the sea state as force six - even in Poole Harbour the water was breaking over the windscreen!

A real good "blooding" specially considering it is my very first boat.

No idea regarding the drive system, though I would only have considered a shaft drive. Stern drive strikes me a a bit to 'open'.

280 has a Very powerfull bow thruster BTW

Philip.
 
I think the older nimbus models have the same designer as the Aquador boats. To me they are the same in most respects.
 
I'd say that the Nimbi are generally more of a cruiser type (Nova excepted), with traditional style accommodation. The Aquadors look more sporty, are generally faster and have a more modern arrangement of accommodation.
They have quite a different feel, IMHO anyway.
 
I may be wrong here but are'nt both Nimbus shaftdrive and the Aquador sterndrive? If this is the case, you will find a difference in the handling characteristics. The Aquador will likely be faster and more economical but you will need to get used to the slow speed handling of the sterndrive which might take you some time. The Nimbus will likely be slower and use more fuel (shaftdrive is inherently less efficient than sterndrive) but it will feel a bit more stable at sea and, if you're talking single rather than twin engines, the technique for slow speed handling of the Nimbus wont feel that much different from a sailing yacht
IMHO, you really need to take a test drive in both boats because you might find you strongly prefer one over the other. The good news, though, is that both the Aquador and the Nimbus are excellent boats and neither would be a bad buy
 
On a handling note. My old (84) Nimbus 27 is the easiest mobo I,ve ever had to maneouvre into tight spots , marina berth etc.

At sea in a lump its pretty good too.
Bangs a little but with caution and trim adjustement copes ok.

For a 26 year old boat the hull and interior have worn realy well.
Can,t say that about the green thing under the cockpit floor, has given me some grief, however as said before it is old.!

The Aquadors look like fine vessels too.
May come down to shafts verses outdrives.
Doesn,t look like theres much difference in build quality.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I may be wrong here but are'nt both Nimbus shaftdrive and the Aquador sterndrive?

[/ QUOTE ]

I may also be wrong but I think Nimbus do some models both ways but Aquador are OD across the range..........if memory serves Nimbus actually managed to produce a one that the mags rated as crap with the shaft installation but excellent with the OD!

may be getting to old to rely on memory alone though!
 
Tried to search the archives in my shell like.
It,s a bit blurry in there '
Think your right though, there have been OD,s most have rods.
Most up to 31ft have one lump and one rod.
Cruising types that is, Nova,s not sure.
 
Maybe but I do think the Nimbus Coupe models are all shaftdrive
 
Allan,
I have an Aquador 23DC (so the open type). It's my first boat so don't have another point of reference. That said I've found it a great boat & handles well in all conditions (though I have definitely not tested it to the limit of weather conditions). As others have noted the single outdrive probably makes its low speed manoeverability a bit trickier than a shaft, but on the other hand the ability to raise the drive has come in handy in the shallows. The build is solid, and the engine has never missed a beat. I also have young kids in the family and have found it very safe (relatively high sides, grabrails etc.) and very comfortable. I don't know the Nimbus so afraid can't make any comparison with that but I am sure you would find the Aquador a good boat should you go that route.

Give them both a test drive!
Cheers
Jon.
 
well the 28c is a single outdrive -

from MBM test.............. [ QUOTE ]
The hull itself is a medium-to-deep-vee shape with a fairly generous beam to generate plenty of planing surface. It is not shy in terms of performance, courtesy of single sterndrive installations from 260hp to 340hp.

[/ QUOTE ]

full test available here

nimbus do seem to have all the coupe models currently on shafts with drives on some others - inc the 42 Commander
 
Her name brings a smile to most people's faces, it was the first thing my young son said when he set eyes on her.
What's your boat's name? something boring I bet!
 
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