Nimbus describe the 365 as a functional design built for the conscious yachtsman who appreciates simplicity, comfort and safety but also for families who want to enjoy a relaxing weekend cruise. A perfect description says Barry Thompson.
Released in January 2017 the new 365 Coupé was marketed as a redesigned and refined version of the prize-winning 365 model with “side-walk”. Nimbus stated that the focus of development was on improving functionality and further increasing onboard comfort, ease-of-use and flexibility.
The most eye-catching feature of the new boat is its appearance. The new Nimbus 365 has a more modern design language, with sportier contours inherited from its sisters the 305 and 405. The intention has of course been to provide the boat with a new appearance more in harmony with the rest of the Coupé range.
When I reviewed the Nimbus 305 last year, I commented then that I felt the boat was one of the best I had ever come across and overall an outstanding vessel. There are three boats in the Nimbus Coupe range, with the 305 being the baby of the fleet. Top of the line is the 405, with the 365 tucked in between. While all three follow a similar design form, they are all very different in what they offer. Obviously the bigger the boat, the more you get and in the case of the Nimbus, the bigger, the better.
The Swedish built Nimbus 365 Coupe was the second Nimbus imported into New Zealand by Sports Marine and was interestingly sold to the owner of the first 305 Coupe, who wanted something bigger. The 365 is effectively the 305 on steroids. Overall, the 365 is 1.49m longer and 0.36m wider than the 305 and while the 305 is strictly a single engine boat, the 365, is available with either single or twin engines. The 365 has a displacement of 6391 kgs with a single engine, with the 305 over 2200 kgs lighter at 4100 kg.
Power options range from a single Volvo Penta D4-260, through to a pair of Volvo Penta D6-300s and all through shaft drives. A single 260hp is good for around 20 knots, twin D4-225s will see 28 knots and if you go all the way to the twin D6-300, then you can expect 32 knots on the speedo.
Our 365 was powered by a single Volvo Penta D6-435 and gave a maximum speed of 29 knots, with the best cruise around 22-23 knots. We ran the boat out of the Tamaki River and into the Auckland harbour and while it wasn’t anywhere as rough as it was when I ran the 305, there was still a small sea running and enough to test the Nimbus. I certainly wasn’t surprised at how well the hull handles the water. It is a pleasure to drive, being effortless and responsive in all manoeuvers.
With a bow and stern thruster, docking is made easy. The 365 was also fitted with EVC, Volvo Penta’s electronic engine control platform. EVC connects the engine, transmission, instruments and accessories in one and the same system. The result is high reliability, simple updates and access to smart accessories.
It was a cold winter’s day when I ran the 365 and I really appreciated the electric heating system, which quickly brought the saloon up to a comfortable temperature. There was no generator installed with the boat running a full 12-volt system.
Open Plan
Light, Light and more light. The 365 saloon is bathed in natural light from deep side windows, glass rear bulkhead doors and the glass skylight with two front opening hatches. These are electrically operated and come with integrated sun blinds.
The open plan of the saloon is very Scandinavian with large flat surfaces and is made cosy with lighting, timber fittings and attractive material design.
The Nimbus 365, just like the 305 utilises every available space for either storage or access. It’s also a boat that the more you walk around it, the more you find an intricate detail that sets the bar higher than other similar style sedans. For example in the saloon, the way the TV is hidden in the passenger side storage compartment, or the reversible passenger seat that flips down to become part of the dining arrangement. Plus all the Nimbus branded china, cutlery and glassware are standard.
The galley is compact and functional with a large fridge, LPG oven and 2 burners ceramic stove, plus optional freezer under the dinette seat. Above the Corian bench top, the 365 has a large extractor fan to take out the galley odours. The dinette is big enough for six and at a perfect height, so you have clear sightlines through the deep side windows.
From the driving position you have excellent visibility all around, helped a lot with the one piece forward screen and large saloon windows and full height glass rear doors. The helm seat is fully adjustable and includes a bolster position so you can position it to suit your driving style. Our boat was equipped with a 12″ MFD, but there is space for a 16″. Another neat feature is the flush-fitted sliding door which leads through to the side deck. The sliding door provides quick access when laying alongside and enables manoeuvring the boat from a standing position on the side deck.
The Nimbus 365 differs from most coupes as it only has a single side deck on the starboard side. Nimbus call it the side walk and is designed to provide a generous wide deck for convenient movement to the foredeck area, plus makes maximum use of the interior volume. This means the cockpit, saloon, lower deck and cabin are more substantial than would otherwise be the case in a boat of this size with standard twin decks.
Sleeps Six
The 365 is a two cabin boat that can sleep up to six if you include the saloon lounger that converts to a double berth. Accommodation comprises a forward cabin with a large island berth with plenty of storage spaces and excellent headroom. The second cabin is neatly designed in under the saloon sole and has a large bulkhead to bulkhead squab, a small seat and enough space to stand when dressing.
Both cabins share common bathroom space with a glass surrounded stand-up shower, head and composite vanity surface. Teak timber is used throughout the 365, and the accents in the bathroom offer a classic look into what is often a clinical space.
Outdoor Living
Kiwis like a cockpit that is multi-functional for entertaining and fishing. The 365 gives you both with the large teak covered boarding platform incorporating twin deep bins for wet gear or as fish lockers, a central telescopic ladder is perfect for divers or swimmers. There is plenty of usable space to do all your fishing from here and with the addition of a stainless stable you can mount a small bait station with rod holders and a cutting board.
There is a single starboard side access door to the cockpit, where you find an L shape lounger to port, with fold out table. Because there is no port side deck, the lounger maximises the beam and still leaves plenty of open space in the rest of the cockpit. The extended hardtop has enclosures all round so you can close off the outside area completely.
Plus, if you are a sun lover, then the Nimbus 365 has that covered, with a foredeck sun pad complete with cup holders.
As Good as It Gets
Like the 305 I couldn’t fault the 365 and like the smaller version, it is without doubt as good as it gets. The boat is sold ready to cruise with standard options such as the Fusion entertainment system, shore power, Sleipner bow thruster, Eberspacher heater/defroster, and a Simrad NSS 12 all part of the $NZ720,350 package.
- Boat Design Name: Nimbus 365Â Â Â Â Â
- Year Launched: 2018Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Builder: Nimbus Boats                  Â
- Designer: Nimbus Boats          Â
- LOA: 11.56m
- LOH: 11.37m                                 Â
- Beam: 3.50m
- Draft:Â 1.14m
- Displ (Dry): 6391 kgs (Approx)
- Max Speed: 29 knots
- Construction: GRP
- Fuel Cap: 700 litres          Â
- Water Cap: 270 litres          Â
- Engines: Volvo Penta D6-435
- Drive Train: Shaft
- Bow Thruster: Sleipner SE60Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Heater: Eberspacher D5 diesel/electric
- MFD: Simrad NSS 12
- Ent System: Fusion
- Priced From: $661,000Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Price as Reviewed: NZ$720,350
