Nimbus W11, the Weekend Warrior

Whether it’s a day trip or a weekend adventure, the Nimbus W11 is ready for anything.

It’s hard to believe there is anyone more passionate about boating than Americans, but in the case of Swedes, it’s true. Roughly one in eight adults in Sweden owns a pleasure boat, and challenging weather and sea conditions in its northern climate make it essential for a boat to be seaworthy and also protect those on board from the cold and spray.

Often, these design demands don’t lend themselves to the fun-in-the-sun entertainment platforms Americans prefer. But the Nimbus W11 meets the challenge of giving owners and their guests a boat that brings the outside in with features like its expansive optional electric sunroof that uses fabric to keep the weight down. Fore and aft sun pads allow those on board to maximize their time in the sun, and an optional flip-down side balcony adds cockpit space when at anchor.

Although Nimbus has been building boats in Sweden since 1968, its first boats came to the United States in 2015, and it wasn’t until 2022 that it opened its first sales office here. While the W11 might seem to be a little out of place in Fort Lauderdale, where I viewed it at the 2023 boat show, Nimbus Brand Manager Jonas Göthberg thinks it will resonate with boat buyers in places like the Northwest, Great Lakes, and in the Northeast regions.

“The American buyers I’ve talked to love the social aspect of this boat but also enjoy the protection from the elements it provides. The optional swim platform is also very popular.”

Nimbus W11: Unique Features

Usually, outboard-powered boats feature small, segmented swim platforms, but one of the W11’s most unique options is the huge hydraulic swim platform that completely wraps around its twin Mercury Verado engines. Using a key fob controller, its rear section can be lowered to allow guests easy access to the water for swimming or lounging while semi-submerged. It can also raise to foster easy boarding on tall, fixed docks.

To maximize interior space, a signature Nimbus feature called the sidewalk design has a starboard-side walkaround to the bow that is wider than the one on the port side but still allows those on the skinny side plenty of room to set fenders and dock lines. Although the Nimbus W11 has a squared-off padded bow like other Nimbus boats that normally allows the driver to nose it up to a rocky shoreline or seawall to allow guests to safely hop off quickly without having to tie up, the anchor secured in the windlass pocket on this model seems to stick out too far to be able to do this on anything but a dock that’s the same height as the rub rail.

Seating and Cabin Accommodations

The semi-enclosed cockpit features a large L-lounge to port that wraps around a convertible teak table that spins or expands based on need. To starboard is an entertainment area with a wet bar and galley with plenty of storage beneath its countertop. Our Nimbus W11 had the optional second refrigerator, located under the doublewide co-pilot seat. In inclement conditions, the cockpit can be completely enclosed for protection.

Down below, the standup cabin features a V-berth and a second amidships berth for sleeping two more, making it ideal for weekending as its name implies. There’s a generous amount of counter space and a roomy head compartment between both sets of sleeping accommodations.

Nimbus W11: Hull Design and Performance

The Nimbus W11 stretches 40 feet, 7 inches long and has a relatively narrow beam of 11 feet, 4 inches, which helps give it better seakeeping in rough water, but thanks to the air-cooled MC² Quick Gyro Stabilizers X7 our boat was equipped with, roll is reduced up to 95 percent even in beam seas. Its twin-stepped hull increases its efficiency and speed, and it has a sharper bow entry that helps it slice through the chop. Toward the stern, the hull becomes flatter for stability, faster planing, and increased fuel economy. It also allows it to maintain plane at slower speeds.

Owners are given a choice between twin Mercury V-8 300 hp Verado outboards or V-10 400 hp Verados, with the more powerful option giving the Nimbus W11 a top speed of around 50 knots. Both engine models are extremely quiet and have pop-up access hatches on top to make maintenance tasks like checking and adding oil easy. Also available is Mercury’s Joystick for Outboards system that gives drivers the ability to make maneuvers like moving sideways as easy as tilting the joystick.

Another thing that will resonate with American buyers is Nimbus’ attention to detail and use of top-of-the-line upholstery and attractive oak cabinetry. Options like rod holders in the hardtop and a wraparound ski tow add to its versatility. Combined with its Sweden-tested ability to tackle harsh conditions, the Nimbus W11 is a welcome addition for those on this side of the pond looking to adventure in style.

Nimbus W11 Specs

Length	12,40 m	40 ft 7 in
Width	3,46 m	11 ft 4 in
Weight incl. 350hp engine	5 600 kg	12 345 lb
Draft	0,9 m	3 ft
Max Air Draft	3,75 m	12 ft 3 in
Fuel Capacity	850 l	224.5 US gal
Fresh Water Capacity	135 l	36 US gal
Black Water Capacity	80 l	21 US gal
Refrigerator Capacity	70+70+85 l	2,47+2,47+3 cu/ft
Number of beds	4 (2+2)	4 (2+2)

Engine Alternatives

Mercury Verado V8	2×300 hp	2×300 hp
Mercury Verado V10	2×400 hp	2×400 hp
Speed	up to 50 knots	up to 60 mph

Alan Jones

Alan Jones has been a marine journalist for 28 years and during that time he’s tested more than 1,000 boats and has been the on-camera talent in more than 600 video walkthroughs. A former president of Boating Writers International and a current member of its board of directors, Jones has also been a judge for the NMMA’s Innovation Awards on numerous occasions.