Text by Capt Steve
The Nimbus Tender/T11 is one of two models (the other being the Commuter/C11) in the Nimbus 11 series and was designed to maximise convertibility, storage and available space. Examples of each of these goals can be seen throughout the T11. While the “T” stands for tender, while she’d make an ideal superyacht tender, she’s much more than that.
The first of the new T11 models is available through Sports Marine’s Sydney yard
Nimbus set out to create the T11 by first asking what components make for great boating experiences. It then set out to add these features without making the boat cramped and uncomfortable. This can immediately be seen and felt in the midship lounge area with its well-thought-out convertibility.
With 12 forward-facing seats, she’s a qualified commuter whether across the sound to work or from the dock to the yacht. Her convertible seating also makes her a capable entertainment platform
FAST AND ECONOMICAL
The Nimbus T11 has a length overall of 12.4 m, a beam of 3.46 m and a draft of .91 m. With an empty weight of 5,600 kg, 49% fuel and three people on board, we had an estimated test weight of 6,730 kg.
With the twin 300-hp Mercury Verados turning 17 pitch four-blade propellers and wound up to 6000 RPM, our speed topped out at 41.7 knots.
Best cruise came in at 4500 rpm at 24.7 knots. At that speed, the 90 lph fuel burn translated into a range of around 200 nautical miles. All while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat’s 849.8 litre total fuel capacity.
In acceleration tests, we reached planing speed in 4.9 seconds and continued to 17.5 knots 6.3 seconds. Twenty five knots came and went in 10.8 and 35 knots in 17.4 seconds. Once at planing speed, she’ll hold plane on down to 12 knots. Our test boat was fitted with the standard twin 300-hp Mercury Verados. Options include twin 350-hp or 400-hp Mercury Verados.
CONVERTIBLE COCKPIT
The midship seating area is where Nimbus has maximised that convertibility. It starts simply enough with everyone facing forward in two rows of seats. This is the “cruising mode.” Flip the seatbacks to aft-facing and we’ve got more of a social gathering area with the two rows of seats facing each other. Now we have opposing seating and a comfortable conversational atmosphere.
Release a latch and rotate the front seats to the sides and we’ve got C-shaped seating and alfresco dining at the expandable table. No need to worry about tableware, Nimbus includes it plus dedicated storage drawers under the seats.
Flip the seatbacks again and now both side seats are facing outward. This makes it easy to enjoy the water, watch the kids swimming or just appreciate the ride from a different perspective.
Lastly, we can convert the aft seating into a sunpad just by bringing the seatback ahead and down flat. I’d like to see the seatback latch into extra positions to create an aft-facing chaise. Move the seatback back into a sitting position and there’s an aft lounge and another place to relax and watch the kids swimming off the stern. And because this is in a protected area, it can also be utilised when underway.
If the sun gets to be too much, we can put up a sunshade. There are four sockets that hold stanchions and then it attaches to the trailing edge of the hardtop. Our test boat had the Flexiteek decking throughout.
OUTDOOR GALLEY
It makes no sense to have such a versatile seating area outdoors without having a refreshment area to accompany it — and Nimbus agrees. It’s located just ahead of the seating and behind the helm seats. It includes a sink and a space alongside that can be populated with an electric or propane grill. Below are two storage drawers and they are soft close. Further down, a single refrigerated drawer is standard and a second is offered as an option. To the sides of this whole refreshment centre are a couple of thoughtful features. First, there are lengthy grab rails to both sides and across the front. Supports to both sides integrate tempered glass into the design so vision is not being blocked.
One of the big goals of the T11 was to maximise storage. Aside from the tableware storage in the drawers under the convertible seats, there’s plenty more to offer. In the centre of the cockpit deck, there’s a utility room that not only includes plenty of room for storage but access to the fuel tank, the battery boxes, battery charger and a solar charger that is connected to the three (optional) 100kW panels up on the roof
Press a button over the galley and the aft seat comes up on an electric lift. This exposes massive storage that’s deep enough to hold pretty much anything you want to carry you through the whole day. To the sides, there’s access to mechanical components. This compartment is also accessible by lifting the aft sunpad.
SPACIOUS BOW
As we move forward through the cockpit, with the seating moved to the side of the table, the narrowest the passageway becomes is 40.64 cm. The bulwarks come up 73.66 cm and top out at 88.90 cm, so there’s a respectable safety factor for the families. The T11 has a symmetrical layout so the two side decks both measure in at 40.64 cm as well. There are two steps leading up to the bow to each side and the top steps have a stainless hinged grate. The one to starboard lifts to expose the diesel fuel fill because we can have both a diesel generator and a diesel heater on board. There is also a wastewater pump out and the two gasoline fuel fills.
To the port side is the freshwater fill, thankfully kept away from the fuel fills. Both compartments have drains so that when we wash the bow area, all the water drains right into them and overboard.
At the bow there’s another social zone with a large sunpad. It’s in a fixed position and I’m always a fan of sunpads that lift into a chaise lounge position. Grab rails and beverage holders are to both sides. Ahead of that is another lounge seat and as with the cockpit, we can also erect an optional sunshade in this area. That puts the entire boat’s length under shade.
Now, take a seat on the hatch over the ground tackle and it makes sense to add the optional bow table between the two seats. But Nimbus didn’t just stop there. There are also cushions that can go along the side caprails, which means we can have seating on all sides of the table.
QUALITY INTERIOR
The cabin is accessed from a companionway to the port side of the helm. The entry stairs are offset from one another so be sure to step in right foot first. Once inside there’s 1.8 m of overhead clearance. There’s a storage cabinet to the port hand side that even includes space for storage behind. There’s an open storage space to port of the stairs and that can be optioned out for a refrigerator.
Nimbus chose teak with a satin finish for the cabin and the bright tones plus the natural light make for an open and welcoming cabin. We can get air conditioning and a diesel-fired heater that will also take care of hot water.
There’s a mid-cabin behind a privacy door with a full-length mirror on the inside of the door. There’s open storage to the starboard side and to port there’s a removable panel to deep storage plus mechanical access. Ahead of the berth, there’s a comfortable seat with a small storage cubby alongside.
Just forward is the head compartment. A boat this size usually has a wethead, but this one actually has a separate shower that shares space with the electric flush toilet and gets closed off with a curved acrylic door. There’s a lengthy hull side window, a Corian counter with a stainless steel single basin sink underneath that.
Fully forward there’s a V-berth with opening portlights both sides. There are also lengthy hull side windows to both port and starboard. The theme of storage continues with compartments under the berth, under the seats to both sides and behind the seats. This berth can also be closed off with a privacy curtain.
The helm is starboard mounted. A single 12” SIMRAD GO display is standard. Our test boat was fitted with the optional Dual 12” SIMRAD NSO EVO3 displays. There was also a Mercury VesselView display just below. All electrical switches were to the left of the wheel. To the right is the JPO joystick and the digital throttle and shift. The steering wheel is mounted to a tilt base. A Zipwake trim tab controller is below and to the left next to a remote control for the optional searchlight.
OBSERVATIONS
Nimbus did an excellent job on the T11. She’s built on the same hull as the Commuter 11 and It seems it’s just what’s to be expected from Nimbus and that seems to suit them just fine. The first of the new T11 models powered by a pair of Mercury Verado V8 300s is available through sole New Zealand and Australian importer, Sports Marine’s from their Sydney yard.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: NIMBUS T11
Year Launched: 2022
Priced From: $NZ670,355
Length Overall: 12.4m
Beam: 3.46m
Draft: 90 m
Dry weight: 5600 kg
Fuel capacity: 850 litres
Water capacity: 135 litres
Air Con: Webasto 8000BTU
Engines: 2xMercury Verado V8 300hp
MFDs: 2 Simrad GO12
Radar: Simrad Halo 20
Interceptors: Zipwake
Flooring: Flexi Teak
Bow Thruster: Lewmar
Contact: www.sportsmarine.co.nz/ www.sportsmarine.com.au
| FUEL & PERFORMANCE DATA | ||||
| Nimbus T11 | ||||
| Fuel capacity: | 850 | litres | ||
| RPM | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
| 600 | 3 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 420 |
| 1000 | 4.5 | 9.5 | 2.2 | 340 |
| 1500 | 6.4 | 14.8 | 2.4 | 310 |
| 2000 | 8.3 | 23.1 | 2.8 | 270 |
| 2500 | 9.4 | 31.4 | 3.4 | 220 |
| 3000 | 11 | 45.4 | 4.2 | 180 |
| 3500 | 13.8 | 56 | 4.1 | 180 |
| 4000 | 17.9 | 71.5 | 4 | 190 |
| 4500 | 24.7 | 90.1 | 3.7 | 200 |
| 5000 | 31.4 | 116.2 | 3.8 | 200 |
| 5500 | 37 | 160.5 | 4.4 | 170 |
| 6000 | 41.7 | 187 | 4.5 | 170 |
