Nimbus 365 Coupé (2020-)

Brief Summary

The Nimbus 365 Coupé has good all-around qualities that come standard, where socializing and on-board activities can be combined with extended stay cruising capabilities. With high-end features, a well-thought-out and innovative design, she is sure to make for a weekend away with family or friends.

Key Features

• 8-person capacity 
• Double electric sun-roofs
• Reversible passenger seating
• Stern thruster
• Open layout
• Side walk design

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	37.9' 11.55 m
Beam	11.5' 3.51 m
Dry Weight	15,243 lbs. 6,914 kg
Tested Weight	17,443 lbs. 7,912 kg
Draft	3.7' 1.13 m
Weight Capacity	4,586 lbs. 2,080 kg
Person Capacity	8
Fuel Capacity	185 gal. 700 L
Water Capacity	72 gal. 273 L
Total Weight	17,443 lbs. 7,912 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Load	4 persons, 3/4 fuel, full water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	80 deg., 68 humid; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 440-hp Volvo Penta D6
Opt. Power	1 x 260-hp Volvo Penta D4-260 1 x 370-hp Volvo Penta D6-370 1 x 435-hp Volvo Penta D6 1 x 225-hp Volvo Penta D4 2 x 260-hpVolvo Penta D4 1 x 300-hp Volvo Penta D4

Captain's Report

By Capt. Nick Martinez

Major Features

• Panoramic windshield
• Teak decking throughout the exterior of the boat
• Soundproofed engine bay

Overview

The Nimbus 365 Coupé is part of the backbone of the company's cruiser series. She is designed for people who plan to spend weeks away from the dock with two cabins, one head and plenty of functionality. With many standard features we usually see as options, the 365 Coupé is truly a turn-key boat that features functionality and a well-thought-out design from bow to stern. The asymmetrical design concept provides generous and safe freedom of movement around the boat, particularly to starboard with its wider side decks. 

Layout

Features Inspection

Cockpit

The cockpit is the first of the 365 Coupé's social areas with a spacious deck, L-shaped seating on the port side and an expandable table with storage compartments under the port side seating. All are protected by the hardtop overhead that is 6' 8" (2.03 m) off the deck and LED lighting. The bulwarks reach up to 26" (66.04 cm) high and rails top out at 35"(88.9 cm) on the rails. A three-piece enclosure can surround the aft deck to protect it from the elements.

Stern

The good times can be extended aft thanks to the well-thought-out swim platform. Accessed through a stainless-steel framed gate, the 3'8" (1.12 m) deep platform is covered in teak for less heat absorption and an elevated non-skid safety factor. A reboarding ladder is in the center, well clear of any running gear. Grab rails make it easier to climb back out of the water. To both sides are large wet-storage compartments ideal for towels and swimsuits.  Forward and to port, Nimbus fitted the transom area with clever fender storage formed from stainless steel rails.

Cabin

When entering the cabin, the door opens and latches in multiple positions. When fully open, the entry is 30” (76.20 cm) wide, however, the galley counter reduces the useful width to 24” (60.96 cm). Functionality again is the first thing that comes to mind when entering the cabin, she is meant for prolonged stays out on the water. There’s 6’4” (1.93 m) of overhead clearance, and the addition of a full-length grab rail signals the start of many little things that make a difference with Nimbus. 

On the port side, there is U-shaped seating combined with a pedestal table that expands and lowers, allowing for extra berthing space. The decking is a manufactured laminate for low maintenance and the table is varnished mahogany. To the starboard side is the galley with an optional electric or gas stove, sink, plenty of drawers and cabinet space and a refrigerator.

Helm

The main focus of the helm is the single 16” (40.64 cm) Simrad Multi-Function Display providing all navigation and instrumentation. There is a Humphree trim tab control panel to the left, and the Volvo Penta  EVC display is to the right. The steering wheel is on a tilt base with the throttle and thruster controls all in easy reach to the right. There is a leather-wrapped grab handle on the left and we found great visibility out of the single-piece windshield that includes defogging vents underneath. There are also two fairly small cupholders next to a little convenience cubby in the center. The best part of the Nimbus 365 Coupé's helm is the opening side door that provides ventilation and easy access to the side decks if mooring up short-handed.

Staterooms

The 365 Coupé easily accommodates extended trips away from the dock with two sleeping areas and one head. The master cabin is set back from the forepeak and includes access to both sides of the berth. There is a hanging locker on the port and starboard side and also storage under the foot of the bed. There’s private access to the head, and another entry to the companionway allows it to serve double duty as a day head. Unusual for this size vessel is a walk-in shower where we would expect to see a wet-head.

Bow

The bow is another one of the 365's social areas that come with plenty of space and functionality. It comes with wide teak decks, high toe and guard rails. There are two stainless steel rails on the cabin trunk that have integrated beverage holders and can also fit an optional sun pad in-between. In the center of the cabin trunk is a hatch that opens up to the master cabin for ventilation or entry. At the front, there is an elevated platform with two hatches and a recessed anchor roller that leads to its split bow. Under the two hatches is the anchor locker with Lewmar windless. To the right side of the hatches are the windless controls for easy anchoring underway.

Heading forward towards the bow there are 10" (25.4 cm) cleats around the boat.

On the starboard side deck, there are two 9" (22.86 cm) steps going up to the bow.

There are integrated cup holders on the rails on the trunk cabin.  An optional sun pad can be fitted between.

Notice the recessed anchor roller between the split rail bow opening for bow in boarding.

There are foot controls to the Lewmar windlass on the starboard bow for easy anchorage.

Just as with the rest of the exterior decks, the bow has teak decking all around and notice the toe rails that go up 5" (12.70 cm). The rails top out at 29"(73.66 cm).

Mechanical Space

The large hatch in the center of the cockpit deck opens on twin gas struts. This engine compartment can accommodate either single or dual engine installations as well as a generator. One feature we haven’t seen before is the sound dampening box encasing the engine for a much quieter ride. With the top of the box removed, the major parts of the engine can be easily accessed without having to remove the rest of the box. There is also an emergency tiller mounted underneath the hatch.

There is a sound dampening box surrounding the engine that made for a nice quiet ride underway.

Our test boat was powered by a Volvo Penta D6-440 Hp diesel engine. Twin-engine options are available.

Our test boat had a 5.7 kW generator providing the power away from the dock.

Performance

The Nimbus 365 Coupé cut easily through the relatively calm seas with ease.  We noticed no hull slap as long as we kept her at or below cruising speed.

The Nimbus 365 Coupé has an LOA of 37' 9" (11.50 m), a beam of 11'5" (3.5 m) and a draft of 3'7” (1.14 m). With 139 gallons (526 L) of fuel, 72 gallons (272.5 L) of water and 4 people aboard we had an estimated test weight of 17,443 pounds (7,912.01 kg).

With a single Volvo Penta D6 440-hp diesel engine, we hit a top speed of 28 MPH at 3380 RPM. We found our best cruise speed at 2600 RPM at 18 MPH. With a fuel burn of 12 GPH, it translated into 1.5 MPG and a range of 250 statute miles, all while holding back a 10-percent reserve of the boat’s 185-gallon (700-L) fuel capacity. For trawling speeds, we recorded 4.1 MPH at 600 RPM and 6.5 MPH at 1000 RPM. 

Handling

This boat handled as well as expected with an inboard engine and V-drive transmission. With the bow and stern thruster, she is easily maneuverable in tight quarters and marinas when getting underway and docking. There was no grab in hard turns and she took them gracefully, however, don't be afraid to add a little power to avoid losing too much speed. While we had calm conditions on our test day we noticed she had a slight bow rise when cruising and she cut through wakes with ease with no hull slap at cruising speed.

Engine Options

• Volvo Penta D4-270 HP
• Volvo Penta D6-380 HP
• Volvo Penta D6-440 HP
• Volvo Penta D6-480 HP
• Volvo Penta 2 x D4 230 HP
• Volvo Penta 2 x D4 270 HP
• Volvo Penta 2 x D4 300 HP

Warranty

It comes with a 7-year hull and structural warranty that is transferable to another owner.

Pricing

MSRP: $ 564,261.00

Observations

Sticking with Nimbus's goal of functionality and comfort, the 365 Coupé delivers. The design team made a good effort taking into account the little things that we like to see on a boat such as most of the equipment that comes standard from the start. Things like the bow and stern thrusters, diesel heater, Simrad Multifunction displays, sound-dampening engine box, leather-wrapped grab rails and more. With spacious living areas, full galley, comfortable seating, two cabins, and a single head, this boat is designed to bring comfort and convenience to extended trips away from home.