With the new Nimbus 495 Flybridge, the shipyard is entering the Explorer segment. It offers a great concept, good equipment and high quality. A flybridge yacht designed for longer voyages and relaxed anchorages in natural harbours. A new design, with large side windows integrated into the hull, gives the yacht a modern look. Joacim Gustavsson, chief designer of the Nimbus Group, is responsible for the design.
The shipyard has its headquarters in the Swedish harbour of Långedrag. Accordingly, we also sail the boat in the western Swedish archipelago. The test boat is easy to board via the bathing platform. Another convenient access point is via a door (roughly in the centre of the boat) to the wide side deck on the starboard side.
Feel good on the foredeck and the fly
Via this deck with its solid handrail, you can safely reach the foredeck, which offers plenty of comfort with a large seating/reclining unit and table and invites you to relax. Another great "open-air area" can be found on the flybridge. Here, the designer has arranged a comfortable sunbathing area next to the well-organised outside helm station, with a seating area aft. A wet bar is also part of the standard equipment. An equipment bracket is enthroned above the fly and a standard canopy also protects against too much sun in bad weather. For safe ascent and descent, Nimbus installs a staircase, the steps of which are partially integrated into the superstructure. There are solid handrails to hold on to and a railing further up.
Nimbus 495 Flybridge comes with optional lowerable bathing platform
One floor below in the cockpit is a large L-shaped bench seat with a table. The area is protected from above by a roof, and the shipyard has installed a glass panel aft of the bathing platform that can be raised and lowered at the touch of a button. To create a completely weather-protected area, the open sides and the aft passageway are closed off with custom-fit tarpaulin sections (with sewn-in foil windows). Nimbus installs an exemplary door at the passageway to the platform. The bathing platform on our test boat can be lowered hydraulically (optional) and has a ladder that "rises" automatically when lowered. The shipyard installs a stern shower as standard so that you can shower off after bathing.
The cockpit and saloon are separated by a glass door and windows. Here is a typical arrangement: the galley is located aft in the saloon and the window to the cockpit can be lowered to combine the two spaces into one large open area. The split galley is fully equipped and offers a practical layout.
The seating/lounge area is located further forwards and here, too, you immediately notice the comfort and versatility. There is a comfortable L-shaped bench in the front passenger seat and a large handrail directly in front of it guarantees good support. If you want to retreat into the cabin, use the companionway (with handrail) between the passenger and driver's seats. The VIP guest cabin is located in the front and is equipped with a double berth and comfortable mattress. There is plenty of storage space in the cabin, as well as large windows, indirect lighting and an escape hatch.
To starboard, the designer has accommodated another guest cabin with a bunk bed and plenty of storage space. Variable: This cabin can also be ordered as an office with a corresponding interior. The guest washroom is located opposite. It has a shower (rain shower head and hand shower), toilet and washbasin and is well organised. The owner's wet room is one size larger and is accessible from the underfloor cabin. The owner's cabin extends across the entire width of the boat and offers a double bed with a comfortable mattress. There is also plenty of storage space, a bright ambience and large side windows.
360° panoramic view from the Nimbus
Now back upstairs in the lounge to the driving position: a sports seat offers the driver plenty of lateral support, comfortable upholstery and adjustment options forwards and backwards as well as up and down. It is also easy to drive standing up with the front seat cushion folded up. Practical: a door next to the driver that leads directly to the side deck. The test boat has a glass cockpit that Volvo Penta developed together with Garmin. Both monitors provide a good view, not only displaying the operating status of the engines and the nautical charts, but also offering a 360° all-round view and a view from above with the optional Garmin Surround View camera system. Further functions: Distance marker and programmable "visual bumper", which shows the driver when an object is getting too close.
The Nimbus can be manoeuvred with ease using the joystick system, but our test boat also has the assisted docking system, which keeps the yacht in one place, for example, and automatically compensates for wind and current. This is a great function if you are travelling to an unfamiliar marina and need to orientate yourself first. The system also supports entering and leaving the box and parallel mooring and unmooring at the jetty.
Test drive with the Nimbus 495 Flybridge
In the archipelago, I drove the boat with the normal lever control. In the transition phase from displacement to planing, the foresight always remains good. An automatic system ensures the right trim in this situation and over the entire planing range. At full throttle, we reach just under 29 kilometres and the noise level is 70 dB(A) at the saloon helm. At a cruising speed of 20 knots, the noise level is only 65 dB(A). The range in this situation with a consumption of 5.99 l/sm results in a non-stop distance of 241 nautical miles plus 15% reserve. We make fast turns and have the boat well under control with the smooth steering. The hull lies on its side as normal and makes its rounds smoothly.
For comfort on board
It also offers pleasant handling in rough water (optional stabiliser available). Windscreen wipers on the windscreen and even on the front side windows ensure a clear view in rainy weather and splash water. The Nimbus not only drives well, but is also expertly finished and features clearly laid out and fixed wiring in the engine compartment. Heating and air conditioning can be ordered for comfort depending on the cruising area. For additional comfort, the list of accessories includes a wet bar on the aft deck, diesel generator, washing machine, gangway and ice machine.
Technical data
- Shipyard: Nimbus Boats/Sweden
- Type: 495 Flybridge
- CE category: B/14
- Hull and deck: Plastic
- Length over everything: 14,90 m
- Width: 4,60 m
- Displacement: 14,6 t
- Depth: 1,20 m
- Fuel tank: 1700 l
- Water tank: 520 l
- Grey water tank: 340 l
- Holding tank: 170 l
- Sleeping places: 6
- Berth dimensions: Forward cabin 2.00 x 1.90 -1.30 m; centre cabin 1 x 1.95 x 0.76 m, 1 x 1.95 x 0.88 m; underfloor cabins 2.00 x 1.60 m
- Standing heights: Forward cabin 2.04 - 1.89 m, mid-cabin 2.05 m, underfloor cabin 2.15 - 1.44 m, saloon 2.05 - 2.07 m, guest WC 1.97 - 2.07 m, owner's WC 2.00 - 2.06 m
- Motorisation: 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 650, 353 kW (480 hp)
- Price: from 1 440 703 euros
- Dealer proof: nimbus.se
Measurement results
Conclusion
The Nimbus 495 Flybridge is a stylish boat that invites you to go exploring and offers good on-board comfort. It has good handling characteristics and is easy to manoeuvre with the Volvo Penta joystick system installed.
Advantages
- + Versatile in use
- + Good workmanship
- + The docking system gives the skipper security
