2022 Nimbus T11

Overview

A coast full of fjords, islands and coves to explore? No wonder many Swedes treat their boats like pickup trucks that can carry them and their gear, including kayaks, paddleboards, fishing rods, camping gear and even mountain bikes, to their next adventure. Meanwhile, the cold, open waters of the Kattegat and the Baltic Sea require rugged, seaworthy hulls with reliable operating systems, and European fuel prices demand efficiency. Nimbus, one of Sweden’s oldest recreational boatbuilders, is well up to these challenges.

Of course, we see all sorts of US and Canadian purposes for the 40-foot-7-inch -Nimbus T11. It offers a seat for two and a sun lounge at the bow, a walk-around cabin with an enclosed head and berths below, a large hardtop over the helm, flexible seating with a table in the cockpit, and a large, open stern platform with a ladder for swimming. Nimbus calls it a tender, theoretically set up for service to a super-yacht, but readily adaptable “for all types of daily activities, transportation, watersports and fun.” We came away impressed with the T11 as a thoroughly versatile family boat.

Engines

The T11’s hull is long and narrow, with a nearly vertical stem that cuts away sharply at the forefoot. The result is a slicing prow for head seas, but it still won’t want to trip on a following sea. Double chines damp spray forward and provide extra lift aft. A pair of steps “air-lubricate” the running surface. It flattens to a 20.6-degree deadrise aft, which, combined with longitudinal strakes, keeps the boat locked in on hard turns. With a standard Zipwake interceptor trim system, our test boat exhibited little bow rise climbing onto plane, so efficiency was excellent at all speeds. With twin 300 hp Mercury Verado V-8 outboards, it cruised smoothly at 22 to 32 mph (4,000 to 4,500 rpm). We hit a top speed of 47.6 mph. Maximum cruising range is 235 miles.

Interior and Accessories

A full day on the water requires comfortable, secure places to sit, be it while underway or at rest; passageways wide enough for freedom of movement; shade; coolers to keep provisions cold; work surfaces to prepare food; and a private head. A double bunk for naps would be nice, and so would a grill or stove. All were standard on our test boat, except for the optional grill and stove.

The T11 offers forward-facing seats for up to 11 people. Those seats include two at the bow, three at the helm, and six in two rows in the cockpit. The bow also sports a sun pad; an awning is optional for enjoying time on the hook.

The helm is seamanlike, with Mercury’s SmartCraft Digital Throttle & Shift (joystick is optional), a 12-inch Simrad electronic display (a second 12-inch display is optional, as is radar), and a control for the bow thruster. A hardtop on a sturdy four-point mount extends from the windshield aft over the three helm seats and the chest on which they rest, which includes a galley work surface with a sink, space for a grill, and a drawer refrigerator beneath.

A pocket door to port of the helm grants easy access to the cabin, with a bench (and storage beneath) to port at the base of the steps. Forward lies a large double berth with shelves along the sides and storage below. To starboard is an enclosed head with an electric toilet, washbasin and shower. A second door leads to another double berth (or storage space) under the helm. In dayboat mode, the T11’s cabin provides nap space. It also enables weekends aboard for a couple or a family. There’s a large, secure opening hatch built into the cushioned seat at the bow for easily stowing bulky gear below.

The flexible cockpit holds a teak table and three seats, which Nimbus calls sofas, two on pedestal mounts with simple handles that can face aft, forward or sideways. The third, facing forward, has a sliding backrest that converts it to a sun bed. The combinations this space can form include forward-facing seats for six while underway, seating for six around the table, and seating for four at the table with space for two to lie on the sun bed. A cockpit awning is available for shade at anchor. Sturdy gates close off the stern deck but allow easy passage for swimmers, with a cockpit shower readily accessible. A towing arch over the engines encourages watersports, similar to the slightly shorter and narrower Axopar 37 XC Revolution ($380,000 with twin 350 hp Mercury outboards).

Beneath the cockpit lies a large space (60 inches long by 82 inches wide by 30 inches deep) for storing anything from cleaning supplies to watersports toys, as well as access to plumbing and wiring. (It also shows off careful Nimbus workmanship in mechanical spaces.) A hatch offers quick access to this space, but the whole cockpit sole rises on electric rams for moving larger objects.

As with today’s pickup trucks, Nimbus can deliver a T11 in many variations, from spartan work trim to a luxury edition that includes a generator, Seakeeper gyrostabilizer and air conditioning—and an attendant increase in price and vessel complexity. For most jobs, we actually prefer the simpler, but still very comfortable, midgrade version. In any version, the T11 should be a strong consideration for boat owners with a variety of activities on their itinerary.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 300 hp Mercury V-8
• Drive/Props: Outboard/16″ x 17″ Mercury Revolution 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 160 gal. Crew Weight: 380 lb. 

High Points

• The T11 rises onto plane at low speeds with almost no bow rise, so it’s easy to fit speed to the sea conditions for comfort and safety.
• Steps in the hull boost performance at higher speeds with modest power. 
• Lazarette is large enough to accommodate tow toys and stand-up paddleboards.

Low Points

• Comparable boats offer more choices in cockpit layouts.
• The two steps up to the forward deck can prove awkward for crew walking fore and aft.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Nimbus Boats – Sweden AB; nimbus.se