Nimbus 495 Flybridge

Ed Hickling attends the launch of the award winning Nimbus 495 Flybridge.

This flagship model is marketed as ‘an island of its own’. So, for those with the means, what does this floating real estate deliver?

Nimbus have been producing boats since 1968, all with an ‘aura’ (hence the name ‘Nimbus’), embodying true Scandi style, comfort and safety, and after 50 years and more than 12,000 boats to their name, the company has now decided to extend the top end of the range with the production of a 50ft flybridge.

It’s well known, of course, that this Scandinavian brand delivers premium boats – motor yachts that have rightly earned the respect of many seasoned sailors all around the world, thanks in no small part to their outstanding seakeeping qualities and all-year-round usability. As you’ll likely be aware, Nimbus’s approach to boatbuilding has struck a lasting chord throughout many overseas territories, including the UK. But what of this new model? And what’s the thinking behind its implementation?

Design & influence

Joachim Gustafson, the company’s Chief Designer, presented the thoughtful design strategy and influence that drove the in-house team. ‘It starts with getting a balance between the Nimbus history and modernity,’ explained Gustafson – whereupon he offered useful parallels with the Porsche 911 and the Coca-Cola bottle, each personifying how design can evolve successfully. In the same manner, while Nimbus didn’t want the 495 to take a drastically different direction to its forebears simply for the sake of it, at the same time, their design approach sought to implement bold initiatives, either due to a genuine need being perceived or where it was felt there lay a striking opportunity.

Very comfortable upfront port side lounging.

First impressions

The Nimbus 495 Flybridge is a beautiful boat, both within and without. It may not be ‘sleek’ in the traditional sense, but the main windscreen with its forward-raked angle, the profoundly upright bow, the ‘tapered’ forward hull side windows and the T-top with its conventional rearward-raked angle all result in a striking, purposeful and slightly aggressive look.

The main cabin

The Nimbus 495 Flybridge gives an air of genuine spaciousness, and indeed it will comfortably cater for eight people without a hitch. I counted at least six social areas, although in effect the main cabin was essentially one big social open-plan area, encapsulating the helm, dining area, lounge and galley space. So whether you are eating, cooking, lounging or driving, it is very easy to interact.

Bright airy saloon and galley.

The best seat in the cabin (after the driver’s seat, of course) was the passenger seat on the port side. It includes a two-way chaise longue, enabling you to recline fully stretched out. This item contributes much to the 495’s social focus. All in all, I counted nine sofa corners on the main deck. Everyone loves the corner spot, so there’s plenty of opportunity to get comfy and cosy.

Practical design of aft social and dining area.

One of the standout elements I absolutely love about this new 495 Flybridge model is its windscreen and the uninterrupted panoramic view it affords. The lack of window frames/struts breaking up the screen, the edges that curve around to the sides and the forward-raked angle that prevents glare and improves visibility all make it feel like there’s no screen at all!

The dining area, surrounded by a U-shaped sofa, boasts an attractive folding table that cleverly provides variable options in terms of table size and revolves for ease of access too. There’s plenty of space from here to watch the flatscreen TV, which can be elevated opposite the dining area behind the seat on the starboard side.

Galley and aft deck social area.

There is a well-equipped galley with a dishwasher (knock it three times and it locks/unlocks!), a hob with extractor, an oven, fridge, freezer, bins and a large pull-out draw for crockery. Being centrally located, it means the ‘chef’ isn’t deprived of social interaction or feeling part of things. Thoughtfully, in this same ‘zone’, there is also a repeater screen to allow for the remote monitoring of the vessel’s systems.

The full rear-opening window above the ‘bar’, the bifold doors and the elegantly curved rear-quarter glass panel make this area very light and open. Wherever you are in the main cabin, it’s a pleasant place to be, thanks in no small part to being spacious and bright.

Steps up to the flybridge.

Below decks

There are three bedrooms: a ‘bunk bed cabin’ (which can alternatively be specified as an office), the ‘owner’s cabin’ in the midsection of the boat and a ‘VIP cabin’ up in the forepeak.

Master cabin.

The ‘owner’s cabin’ is a good size, with a sofa on one side of the bed and a vanity/storage unit on the other, as well as plenty of wardrobe and draw space. It’s possible to walk around the bed at full height on one side, while it is necessary to stoop slightly on the other. The windows on each side are very close to the water level and offer a very pleasant place to track progress whether you are relaxing on the bed or the sofa. The ‘VIP cabin’ benefits from plenty of light, with two large side windows as well as a small forward-facing window, plus a skylight.

Forward cabin

Both toilets/heads are of a good size, well finished and have a lovely eye-level rectangular window – perfect for that shower-with-a-view experience.

All the draws, cupboards and wardrobes throughout have high-quality, soft-close latches. There are also plenty of handles and grab bars in all the right places, finished in pleasing faux-leather sleeves.

Our launch boat featured light-green acrylic upholstery, which was very pleasing both to the eye and to the touch. It may not be your usual maritime colour choice but it felt fresh, neutral and natural (warm white and classic natural blue are also available). The light-coloured poplar wood finish made for a relaxed and stylish interior on the 495.

If one had to be picky, the only issue to highlight would be the lowered ceiling height/raised cabin sole in a few places. However, it’s cleverly executed and not that noticeable. For example, the ceiling is lower above the dining table area, where you would normally be seated anyway. But in a 50ft boat, these minor compromises are worth it, in my opinion.

Bathing platform in closed position.

Safe & sound

Safety is a key focus for Nimbus, and this is evident when you consider the following. Firstly, you can access the sidewalk from behind the captain’s seat via a double-width sliding door. This means the access to the outside companionway is not a pinch point, which is particularly important during the docking process. Additionally, the latter on this starboard side is particularly deep and wide, aiding safety while manoeuvring. The handrails throughout also offer an essential safety barrier for all passengers.

Nimbus 495 Flybridge – Layout

Foredeck

There is abundant space for sunbathing on the Nimbus 495 Flybridge’ foredeck, where there are two reclining beds, both of which can help to transform this area into a much larger space when the middle cushions are inserted above the coachroof window of the cabin beneath. This area is extended again with two cushions further forward on each side, which can double up as seats with a removable small coffee table at the bow. There are useful cup holders on each side of the loungers, as well as audio speakers. The air intakes for ventilation are subtly incorporated into the foredeck area too, and to the untrained eye, these appear to be more of a deliberate design feature than that of a functional requirement alone. In the same way, the engine air intakes at the rear of the hull improve the craft’s overall look, while, of course, performing an essential task at the same time.

Aft deck

You get another corner sofa and foldable table on the aft deck. The standout feature here is the full-size electric rear window, which is housed in the ceiling when open, but if the weather is inclement, or more privacy is required, it can be quickly lowered. There are also integral blinds to aid privacy. From the water, looking at the stern of the boat, this glass feature really does add another very attractive element.

Aft deck seating.

Access to the engine compartment is via a hatch in the aft deck, rather from within the saloon, which obviously reduces noise and disturbance.

The swim deck is a fantastic place to be, as it can be electronically lowered to just beneath the waterline. It also has a grill with a sink and tap – perfect for cleaning and cooking the fish just caught! Here you’ll find plenty of storage too.

Sink, grill and induction hob complete the wet bar area. © Ed Hickling.

Up top on the Nimbus 495 Flybridge

‘Up top’, another chaise longue is provided, next to the driver’s seat, where one can relax, either facing forward or back. With the driver’s and passenger’s seats swivelled, another spacious social area is created. In the centre of the corner sofa there’s a large table with an integrated sink and tap, an ice box and cup holders. A bimini top canopy in matching green upholstery can be raised to provide protection – all great touches, I think you’ll agree.

Ample comfort on the flybridge.

The drive – Nimbus 495 Flybridge

The twin inboard Volvo Penta 650s are plenty for a boat of this size. However, the Volvo Penta IPS (Inboard Performance System) and Garmin technology combined truly enhance the 495’s driving experience and overall manoeuvrability. This includes the ‘Assisted Driving and Assisted Docking’ feature, with the Garmin ‘Surround View’ camera system – all of which are controlled via a simple joystick, perfectly positioned at one’s right hand while sat at the helm. This combined system also removes the dynamics of wind and current and heightens the skipper’s control when close-quarter manoeuvring. It’s a pretty surreal experience to witness the boat holding position when, say, allowing passengers to disembark without even a line having been secured!

The IPS is designed in such a way that its twin counterrotating propellers, uniquely, face forward. This means they work in undisturbed water, which results in well-proven faster acceleration, a higher top speed and increased efficiency. But the Nimbus team were simply showing off when they took over command of the vessel via their Garmin watches!

The drive was super-sea-kindly and stable for all aboard as we hovered near the 30-knot threshold and controlled the vessel by means of the joystick alone. Putting her through all manner of hard turns only confirmed the hull’s capability, the 495’s poise and balance, and the compatibility of her drive systems.

Conclusion

Nimbus have a strapline for their new 495: ‘an island of its own’. Everyone dreams of an island of their own, and I am sure a good many would be very happy if that island happened to be a Nimbus 495 Flybridge! Nimbus’s passion for boating is clear in this new creation. It’s a true flagship – one of which the entire Nimbus team can be very proud.

What we thought

For

• Helm, with its outstanding windscreen design
• Helm sofa/two-way chaise longue
• Large connected main cabin
• Easy to drive; functional cutting-edge auto-docking systems
• Stylish ‘of the moment’ look drawing on classic lines

Against

• Minor compromises with ceiling heights.

Selected key features of the Nimbus 495 Flybridge

• 2 x Volvo Penta IPS650s
• Volvo Penta Glass cockpit system, 2 x 12” MFD plotter displays
• Volvo Penta Glass cockpit system, 1 x 12” MFD plotter display on flybridge
• Interceptors incl. auto trim & list
• SEP170 24V proportional bow thruster
• Proportional bow thruster
• Shore power and battery charger
• 230V diesel generator 
• Battery, monitor and inverter
• Lithium-ion battery package, 400Ah auxiliary power
• 400W solar energy
• 230V electric hob, kitchen fan
• 12V 130L fridge
• Electric roof hatch
• 2 x electric toilets
• Retractable aft deck window

Specifications

• Overall length: 15m
• Hull length: 13.7m
• Beam overall: 4.6m
• Draught: 1.2m
• Diesel tank: 1700L
• Water tank: 520L
• Max. HP: 2 x 480hp engines
• Category: B/C 10/12
• Accommodation: 2+2+2(+2); alt. 2+2(+2)

Price

• Standard price: £1.2m (+ VAT)

Contact

www.nimbus.se
www.offshorepower boats.co.uk

On location

We departed from Nimbus HQ at the Långedrag Marina, near Gothenburg, on the west coast of Sweden and then made our way aboard three Nimbus T and C Class models out to sea. Our destination was the island of Donsö, and it was a pleasure to explore the Gothenburg archipelago along the way and also during the test itself. We docked outside the Isbolaget hotel, which means ‘The Ice Company’ in Swedish, and where, in the past, ice was stored for the fishing industry. The hotel proved the perfect base for a boat launch, with modern and stylish accommodation and fantastic locally caught food.