The Swedish yard has always been good at designing practical cruisers, and the new 3-cabin Nimbus 405 Coupé doesn’t disappoint
The Nimbus 405 Coupé is the largest and latest in a four-boat line up of comfortable coupé cruisers from the Scandinavian builders.
Like its smaller siblings, a key part of the three cabin 405’s appeal lies in its asymmetric deck design which sacrifices a degree of width on the port side deck for the numerous joys of a walkaround deck to starboard with an opening side door alongside the helm.
The resultant benefits include effortless single-handed operation, much improved ventilation, easier movement around the boat, and better communication with the on-deck crew.
That high level of practicality underpins the rest of the boat too. Levels of storage are good throughout, countertops have functional fiddles, and handy hooks are scattered liberally through the 405.
For those who long for all this practicality plus more space up top, Nimbus also have a flybridge version of the 405 Coupé, although its owners will miss the light and airy feeling in the saloon that the Coupe’s two large sunroofs generate.
On the water
Powered by twin 300hp Volvo diesels (shaft drive) our test boat achieved 28 knots flat out. And that was with a blustery Solent chop to contend with.
The side door by the helm makes crewing very easy
The 405 handled the challenging conditions with aplomb, never once slamming even when hurtling around at top speed over the biggest waves.
Using a little trim tab improved the upwind ride even further, but I found that applying any notable degree of tab (on one side) made the boat veer off course and set off into a turn.
Spacious island berth in the forward cabin
Plus, negotiating the biggest quartering seas we found, the 405 felt a little unsettled at times. Our boat had the four cylinder D4-300hp Volvos, but there is an option to fit the heavier and more powerful D6-370hp Volvos.
It’s only conjecture, but I reckon that the 405 might feel more settled with the heavier D6 370hp in the stern.
It would also lift the 405’s 28 knot top speed by about three knots, and the six-cylinder D6 would be quieter and smoother too.
Update: The Nimbus 405 will be on display at the 2021 Southampton Boat Show.
Contact: Offshore Powerboats
Pros
- Tremendous practical detailing
- Invaluable side-door for skipper
- Flybridge and Coupe versions
- Impressive storage inside and out
- Outstanding view out from saloon
- Easy to skipper single-handed
Cons
- Trim tabs unsettle the boat
- Heavy steering
Price as reviewed:
£390,845.00 inc UK VAT
Verdict
Comfortable and highly practical, Nimbus’s biggest Coupé can sleep six or hold a dozen friends. The icing on the cake is the 405’s side door which makes the boat so easy for a couple to handle when the guests finally depart.
Details
Length: 43ft 9in (13.33m)
Beam: 13ft 0in (3.95m)
Fuel capacity: 220 imp gal (1,000 litres)
Water capacity: 88 imp gal (400 litres)
Draught: 3ft 3in (1.00m)
RCD Category: B (for 12 people)
Displacement: 8.55 tonnes
Test engines: Twin 300hp Volvo shaft drive
Top speed: 28 knots
Cruising speed: 16-23 knots
