Test: Nimbus 305 Coupé - Buten und binnen
Many new customers for the Nimbus 305 Coupé come from the sailing boat sector," explains Patric Polch from the boat service of the same name. As a rule, sailors can only navigate rivers and canals with the mast down, which can disrupt everyday life on board in the long term.
The Nimbus is the ideal cabin cruiser for safely travelling the coastal areas or islands such as Bornholm, Mallorca or Helgoland, but also all kinds of inland areas.
Ideally with two people, but with a total of 6 berths (two forward cabins, two underfloor, two emergency berths/dinette), the boat can also accommodate guests, especially if they are children or grandchildren, who will find a nice, cosy living area in the underfloor cabin. But the single adult also feels comfortable there and can thus avoid stress on board - for example when it comes to snoring.
Driving and manoeuvring
The motorisation is just as varied. It starts with a 110 hp diesel and ends with a 223 hp engine, all of which transfer their power to the water with the help of a V-gear, shaft and bronze propeller. We drove our test boat with a 150 hp engine, which is a particularly appealing solution for sailboat newcomers.
On the one hand, the performance is not yet high enough to be called a horsepower monster, but on the other hand, it has the power to travel a little faster. In other words, for skippers who usually travel at a slow speed but need not fear the current of the Rhine, for example.
Of course, the fast pace also has its advantages at sea. Expressed in figures, our test boat had a maximum speed of just under 17 knots and, if you want to travel a little more economically, 12 to a good 14 knots.
This results in acceptable ranges of a good 130 nm. You can go noticeably further with a fast displacement speed of around 7 knots, in this situation distances of over 200 nm plus the obligatory 15% reserve are possible. The Nimbus 305 Coupé offers impressive course stability at all speeds. Weight shifts by two people have only a minor effect on the course in displacement mode.
From around 1800 rpm, the nose of the Nimbus lifts and does not lower again automatically, even when reaching top speed. The foresight remains acceptable, but is noticeably better when the trim tabs are used. In addition, the flaps increase the speed at full throttle by about 0.5 knots.
In fast bends, the hull does not lean excessively on its side and turns smoothly.
The propeller always remains positive, so there is no need to take the throttle off or restart. When slaloming, the 305 Coupé swings light-footedly from side to side and is just as precise to drive in this situation as it is when the steering is jerked. The latter only needs to be used a little when mooring, as the installed bow and stern thrusters (extra) guarantee very easy and precise manoeuvring, which makes the electronic gearstick even easier.
If you want the functions of the gearstick and thrusters in one compact control unit: no problem either, because Boote Polch is also a dealer of the "Yachtcontroller".
With this system, harbour manoeuvres can be carried out easily by remote control or a joystick at the helm. The latter is equipped with engine instruments that are easy to read. The shipyard installs a Simrad chart plotter with a 9" monitor as standard as navigation instruments.
We searched in vain for a magnetic compass that would still work even in the event of power problems or defective electronics.
A particularly positive feature is the door at the helm station, which provides easy access to the side deck and allows the line for the centre cleat to be "threaded in" in no time at all, for example when locking in. During normal operation, the skipper looks through an undivided windscreen, which is ideally equipped with two windscreen wipers, a washer system and defroster for sailing in bad weather.
In fine weather, a hatch can be opened directly above the driver and, provided the folding step on the accessories list is installed, you can look out the top while standing. Without the step, the 1.80 m tall driver has the edge of the cabin roof at an unfavourable height. When seated, the skipper benefits from a well-padded and comfortable bucket seat. A combi bench on the port side functions either as a dinette bench or as a passenger seat when folded down.
Technology and safety
A hallmark of Nimbus is the good encapsulation of the engine, which is securely bolted under the saloon floor and is noticeable with a maximum of 75 dB/A. The entire installation in the engine compartment is carried out carefully by the shipyard. Shut-off valves and securely crimped or screwed diesel hose connections and a filter cartridge are just as much a plus as the well-mounted batteries, main relay switch with emergency function and easily accessible circuit breakers.
Non-slip floor structures, railings and handrails ensure safe movement. The only drawback is the lack of a handhold (at the rear) on the port side when standing on the side deck.
The equipment with extinguishing system in the engine compartment and additional fire extinguisher are just as first-class as the installation of an electric and manual bilge pump. Below deck, a standard hot-air heating system and boiler (230 V/engine heat) ensure cosy comfort in the cabins and wet cell already mentioned.
Opinions differ on the bathroom door: it opens towards the saloon, which makes access difficult for day guests, but easy for people from the cabins, as they don't have to climb the stairs to the saloon to open the door. Cooking is done at a conveniently divided pantry block in the saloon. A cosy L-shaped bench with wooden table is available in the cockpit for outdoor living.
Data sheet: Nimbus 305 Coupé
Shipyard: Nimbus Boats AB
Type designation: Nimbus 305 Coupé
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 9,83 m
Width: 3,25 m
Displacement: 4,10 t
Price: 234.000,00 €
