The Nimbus T11 is a mid-cabin cruiser that gives a new meaning to social boating. This boat combines the space and amenities for great day boating but still provides the comforts of overnighting.
The Nimbus T11 offers flexible socialising spaces, plenty of room to move around, good protection from the sun and several spots to lie back and sunbathe and enjoy your day on the water. One aspect of the Nimbus is its simplicity, or what Nimbus like to refer to as ‘easy living.’
Mats Jacobsson, Technical Director at Nimbus, says,
“In the design and development process, we have deliberately focused on “simplicity” and “easy living” for everyone on board. It includes being able to easily and conveniently use the boat. Everything that has to do with your Nimbus should feel natural and easy regardless of activity. When things are easy, we feel more relaxed and can focus on the boating experience”.
Once I got aboard the T11, I must admit he was right. While it looks busy, it isn’t, and there is certainly space for everyone to do their own thing. There is a feeling of openness, whether you are cooking something on the grill, lounging on the forward sunpad or enjoying a coldie on the rear lounge.
The design is typical Scandinavian, with the plumb bow and styling that sets it apart. The Nimbus T11 is one of four models based on a stepped 12.4m hull, the others being fully enclosed hardtop/sedan style boats. The T11 is the only one with a full walkaround and mid-cabin, with a T-Top, but it shares some similarities in the cabin and bow area.
SEPARATE SPACES
The cockpit, or as Nimbus like to call it, the lounge area, is an intelligent layout that divides the area into three distinct zones. Forward is the helm with a trio
of seats with bolsters, footrests and a generous facia that allows you space to add a lot of extras. The dash can be fitted with a single 12’, 16’ or double 12’ MFDs, and there is still enough space for all other controls and systems.
A couple of well-placed wipers keep most of the large one piece forward screen clear, with air conditioning ducts feeding warm air onto the inside.
The driving position is excellent, and the screen keeps the wind off your face. Being an open boat, ventilation and fresh air is not an issue. If you want some extra protection from the wind or rain, a soft screen is available to zip on between the hardtop and the screen.
Nimbus are aware that not everyone likes to soak
up the UV rays, especially in New Zealand, where
they are extremely harsh, so offer full coverage from bow to stern.
The GRP hardtop, held in place by serious box section fibreglass stanchions on either side, offers perfect all-weather protection for the forward cockpit spaces.
If you want to add coverage to the rear of the cockpit, you activate the Sureshade retractable canopy, which extends just about to the transom. Even the foredeck has a detachable sun shade that gives all-over protection for the bow area.
Dividing the helm from the rest of the cockpit is a dedicated galley with four drawer storage, freezer/fridge and electric hob. All this is hidden away when not in use under a flip up lid.
I am always impressed with the ingenuity and
‘outside the box thinking’ that Nimbus and other similar Scandinavian brands come up with.
On the T11, it is never so apparent as with the rear lounge seating. The word to describe it is flexibility. The sofas and tables can be rotated and moved into different positions depending on what you want to do. The lounge area has three sofas and a large table which, depending on its position, can function as a sun deck or a seating area that can either have all seats facing the direction of travel or alternatively facing one another. Simple and very ingenious.
But it doesn’t stop there. Underneath the rear settee is a sizeable 2500-litre stowage locker. It has space for everything you could ever want to bring, whether SUPs, wakeboards, an inflatable tender, or maybe a Temo electric outboard.
Aft of the cockpit seating is another short sunpad
with further storage under. If you are into fishing or diving, it’s perfect for your dive and tackle gear.
The swim platform and the aft deck offer space for fishing, with a telescopic boarding ladder to assist swimmers and divers. A handheld freshwater shower and a couple of aft storage compartments for fenders and ropes are also provided.
420mm wide, deep bulwarks start with a couple of steps to the raised foredeck, which includes a sizeable stainless grate and sump on either side to collect any water before it runs into the cockpit lounge space. Low-profile handrails for security and Flexiteak flooring extend through to the short foredeck. With a through hull anchoring system, all the tackle, including the Lewmar winch, can be kept below deck, leaving the foot space obstruction free. With the split bow rail, bullnose deckline and a clip-on ladder, the bow makes a great place to access the boat. Ideal when pulling up to a beach or onto the stern of another boat.
The foredeck includes a large sunpad with backrests and a forward seat, and much like the T9 series, the T11 also has a large storage hatch at the front of the cabin.
Below the deck, you will find two separate cabins with space for two couples or a family of four. The forward berth is 1.9m long, and the rear berth under the cockpit sole is slightly longer at 1.98m. Additionally, there is a spacious bathroom with a toilet, shower and sufficient headroom. Storage is plentiful, and a second fridge/freezer is included.
POWER PLUS
The T11 stepped hull is designed to work at speed and that’s something the T11 has plenty of. The sharp plumb bow is designed to cut through the water, with wide flared chines that protect against spray and makes for a drier ride. Put the Zipewake interceptors on auto, and all the serious trimming is done for you. The deep vee hull excels in rough water. The Nimbus T11 is an easy boat to drive in most sea conditions. The standard package is a pair of Mercury Verado V8 300s, which gives a speed of close to 40 knots. Other options are twin Verado L6 x 350, L6 x 400, Volvo Penta D4 DPI 320 and D6 DPI 440.
LAST WORD
The last word goes to Gustavsson.
“We already added some extra deck space, treading surfaces and wide passageways on this boat’s little sister, the T9, but the T11 takes things to a whole new level. The surface areas are exceptionally generous, and the freedom of movement you get onboard is palpable – not just in the lounge area but also on the aft deck and the foredeck. The boat is far from being over-furnished and freedom of movement is something that you truly feel whenever you step onboard.”
SPECIFICATIONS
- Boat Design Name Nimbus T11
- Year Launched Nov 2023
- Builder Nimbus Boats
- Base Price $765,507
- Price as tested in NZ $917,335
- LOA 12.40m
- Beam 3.46m
- Draft 0.9m
- Displacement (full) 5600kgs
- Max Speed 37.9 knots
- Construction GRP
- Fuel Capacity 850 L\
- Water Capacity 135 L
- Engines Make/HP 2 x Mercury 300 V8 Verado
- Interceptors Zipwake
- Bow Thuster SidePower SE100
- Air Conditioning Webasto
- Anchor Winch Lewmar
- Entertainment Fusion
- Flooring Flexiteak
- MFD Simrad NSX 12
- VHF Simrad
