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The third boat in the Commuter series from Nimbus is called the C8, making it the smallest in the Swedish shipyard's product range to date. It looks almost identical from the outside. It's just not 12.40 metres long (C11), but 7.93 metres. There are also parallels to its sister boats in terms of its intended use. The C8, which will be presented in April 2021, is also intended to be an everyday boat that can withstand any weather. But it can do even more. Even tours with overnight stays are no problem thanks to the small toilet room and the cabin with two berths. We were able to test it on the Moselle off Traben-Trarbach.
When you walk past the Swede on land, the first thing that catches your eye is the blue, two-stage hull. It looks familiar, and no wonder - it's the same as its open sister. As is typical for Nimbus, it is very well finished. We can't find any defects in the gelcoat or anything similar. All add-on parts such as the rubbing strake or the swim ladder are expertly installed and fit the size of the boat. As the boat weighs 3480 kilograms with engine, some fuel and trailer (according to the weighing card), it can still be transported with a 3.5 tonne trailer. Even with its width of 2.55 metres, this is no problem. When you bring the boat into the water and step onto it from the jetty, you soon notice the large 300 hp outboard engine. We will take a closer look at this later.
Nimbus C8 lives up to its name
On both the port and starboard sides, there are large lockers and doors to the bathing platform. These stainless steel doors have a high-quality finish, but are only available at extra cost. A stern shower is also fitted here. A bench seat with a large Nimbus logo in the stern invites you to take a cosy break for two. If you fold it up, you can see that the Commuter 8 lives up to its name: There is plenty of storage space for luggage and the like.
If you walk past the deckhouse onto the foredeck, you will find another place to enjoy fresh air and the sun. The seat cushions are pleasantly firm and well made, with a large escape hatch underneath. It measures 0.85 x 0.43 metres and is therefore pleasantly large. If the sun is shining from above, an awning can be set up. There are four mounts for this, into which carbon poles are then inserted, which tension the roof automatically due to their pre-tensioning. In our test, it took just one minute to set up the awning - a cool solution. The test Nimbus also has a large anchor locker with an electric winch from Lewmar (otherwise optional). The two buttons for starting the winch are labelled and well positioned on the coaming. The anchor rests ready for use on a fitting with cleat below the entrance at the bow.
360-degree panoramic view in the cabin of the Nimbus
On the way to the cabin of the Nimbus C8, there are many places to stop on deck. This emphasises the C8's character as a rough water boat. When you step into the cabin, you are surprised by the 360-degree panoramic view. The feeling of space is excellent and everything on the boat is perfectly visible.
The large panoramic roof can be opened and contributes just as much to the sense of well-being as the two large sliding doors. There is a large window towards the rear and a cosy bench seat for two people. When it is folded down, a small lying area is created. Underneath is storage space and the fuse box. Both are somewhat difficult to reach, as there is not much space between the bench and the driver/passenger seat. The latter are sports seats that offer good lateral support. The helm position is generously proportioned. A Simrad plotter and the control panel for the Zipwake trim system are installed in the direct field of vision. The VHF radio, the controls for the Fusion music system and the bow thruster are somewhat more concealed. The gearshift is electric and therefore smooth-running. The steering wheel is covered in leather and has chrome-plated spokes. It is easy to grip and can be moved without great effort thanks to the hydraulics.
Nimbus C8 contains everything you need for a weekend cruise
The cabin has everything you need for an overnight stay. The V-berth in the bow is large at 1.93 x 1.90 metres and is comfortably upholstered. There is storage space underneath and in the side shelves of the berths. There is also a small storage area with drawer at the companionway. Ventilation is via the large hatch. The toilet room has a Jabsco pump toilet and a washbasin with hot and cold water connections. There is plenty of storage space under the washbasin, as well as a large mirror. The headroom in the entire cabin is 1.40 metres. All in all, we can say that everything is on board for a weekend cruise. The routing of the cables and hoses is typically good for nimbus. The cables are attached to the hull with brackets and everything is neatly labelled. We have nothing to criticise.
The test drive
Time for a test drive: when you start the 4.6-litre Mercury Verado, the eight-cylinder engine purrs like a kitten. Our test boat is equipped with 300 hp and therefore has the most powerful engine available. The standard boat is delivered with 250 hp. We cast off the lines and leave our berth with the throttle at around 600 rpm and a speed of 2.5 knots. The boat keeps straight ahead. We change speed on the Moselle and pick up speed. The bow rises and the zipwake extends its flaps. The transition to planing begins at around 1800 rpm. Visibility is good at all times and even with the zipwake switched off, the boat doesn't cause us any problems, neither in terms of course stability nor in terms of visibility over the bow. A good planing speed was achieved in our test at 3800 rpm. The boat reaches a speed of around 20 knots. Economical planing is achieved at 4000 - 4500 rpm. The boat has a range of 118 nm in both speed ranges (plus 15 % reserve). The log shows us 25.6 and 32.5 knots respectively. At full load it is 43.4 knots. You feel very safe in the deckhouse. Nothing wobbles, vibrates or sounds strange - another sign of good build quality.
Measurement results
During fast manoeuvres, the boat follows the steering movements immediately. It is sporty, but not unpredictable. It completes slaloms, fast bends and turns at around 30 knots without any problems. However, if you overdo it and turn the rudder hard at around 40 knots, the stern may lift and slide away. However, if you reduce your speed before turning in, this will not happen.
Technical data
The boat
- Shipyard: Nimbus/SE
- Type: C8
- CE category: C/8 persons
- Hull and deck: Plastic
- Length over everything: 7,39 m
- Width:2,55 m
- Displacement (test engine):2962 kg
- Depth: 0,96 m
- Clearance height: 2,88 m
- Fuel tank:240 l
- Water tank:50 l
- Berths: 2
- Bunk dimension: Bow 1.93 x 1.90 m
- Standing height:Cabin up to 1.40 m; wet room 1.40 m; deck superstructure: 2 m
- Cockpit size: 2.60 m x 1.57 m
- Freeboard: 0,73 m
- Interior cockpit side height: 0,67 m
- Turning circles (boat lengths): forwards starboard 1.5; port 1.5 and astern starboard 1.5; port 1.5
- Change from starboard to port: 2 s
- Change from port to starboard:2 s
- max. motorisation: Outboard 224 kW (300 hp)
- Test motorisation: Mercury Verado 300 hp
- Price (standard boat with test engine): 141.550 €
- Distribution (test boat): www.bootepolch.de
The motor
- Manufacturer: Mercury
- Type: Verado
- Performance:224 kw/300 hp
- Full load speed:5700 rpm
- Cylinder: 8 V
- cubic capacity: 4600 cc
- Fuel: Petrol
- Generator: 115 A / 1449 W
- Dry weight: 272
- Gear ratio: 1.85 : 1
- Test propeller: 14.6 X 19P RH
Standard equipment of the Nimbus C8
Bathing platform; Stern shower hot/cold; Pump toilet; Starter batteries 1x 95 AH; Battery 1x 95 AH; Main battery switch; Compass; Navigation lights; Mercury Verado 250 hp V8; Spradling Diamond Vintage & Silvertex Storm, blue; Spradling Vintage Storm blue; Bow thruster make: Sleipner SE30; Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control System 300mm; carpets beige; boat shrink-wrapped for transport; cushion set Nimbus; bow towing eye/trailer eye; fender/mooring package; cabin cushions, Sunbrella Nat Heater Chalk; outside cushions; transport shipyard Traben-Trarbach; 6x cleats; electric bilge pump
Our test judgement
DRIVING & MANOEUVRING
- +Easy manoeuvring
- +Safe driving characteristics
PROCESSING & TECHNOLOGY
- +Professional installations
- +High processing quality
SAFETY
- +Rear doors
- + fire extinguisher
COMFORT ON BOARD
- +Good freedom of movement
- +High-quality, comfortable upholstery
- +Many holding options
Conclusion
The 26-foot Nimbus C8 is neatly finished and makes the hearts of Swedish boatbuilding enthusiasts beat faster. The materials used are of high quality. A well thought-out and successful boat that works equally well for short holidays or everyday use - and not just in its home waters, the Swedish archipelago.
Video: Nimbus C8
The competitors of the Nimbus C8
