Nimbus has released the first official images and detailed design information for its Sport Coupé 35, the enclosed member of its new three-model Sport Cruiser 35 family. Announced on 7 October, the boat is scheduled to make its public world premiere at boot Düsseldorf from 23 to 31 January 2027. The preview places a fast, activity-oriented hull beneath the protected accommodation and practical deck arrangement associated with the Swedish builder's longer-established Coupé cruisers.
The newcomer shares its underlying twin-stepped, air-lubricated hull architecture with the Sport Tender 35, which debuted at Cannes in September. Nimbus is developing three versions around that platform: Sport Tender, Sport Weekender and Sport Coupé. While the common hull provides a useful point of reference, the published material remains a design preview, not evidence of independently measured speed, range or seakeeping for the completed Coupé.
A sporty hull with a sheltered saloon
The most obvious distinction from an open dayboat is the fully enclosed central living space. Nimbus has placed the galley beside the saloon dinette, keeping food preparation and social seating on the same level and under a solid roof. The roof incorporates opening glass hatches, while fixed glazing over the aft deck is intended to bring light to the semi-sheltered seating area.
That arrangement broadens the potential use of a relatively compact cruiser. A family crossing an exposed stretch of water can remain together in the saloon if the weather deteriorates, while a couple planning an overnight stay has somewhere to cook and relax without occupying the deck. Nimbus says the dinette can be rearranged for dining, lounging or an extra sleeping position, and the forward-facing saloon seat can be turned towards the helm when under way.
Accommodation continues below the main deck with a forward cabin, a mid cabin and a separate head containing a shower. The builder has incorporated wardrobes for longer stays and opening ventilation in the cabins. These details do not turn the boat into a large passage-making yacht, but they do make the Sport Coupé more flexible than a dayboat arranged principally around open seating.
Why the asymmetrical Sidewalk matters
Nimbus has retained its characteristic Sidewalk layout, in which the starboard side deck is deliberately wider than the port side. The result is a more generous route for the skipper to reach the foredeck or handle lines on the starboard side, while the raised and narrower opposite side releases space inside the saloon. Built-in steps are intended to maintain access forward from both directions.
There is a new side door immediately alongside the helm and a separate gate in the hull for stepping across to the quay. These are practical choices in marinas where a single person may need to approach a berth, reach the lines and move back inside quickly. The manufacturer also lists Mercury joystick piloting with an integrated bow thruster as an available manoeuvring arrangement, although buyers should check which elements are standard with each engine configuration.
At the helm, Nimbus describes a deliberately simplified arrangement with primary driving controls close to hand and a choice of one 16-inch display or two 12-inch displays. Functions such as windscreen wipers are integrated into paddles near the wheel, and the dashboard uses a subdued finish to help control reflected light. The forward-raked windscreen echoes the styling direction of the larger 495 Coupé without suggesting that the two boats occupy the same cruising category.
Three adaptable areas for life outdoors
The foredeck is designed to do more than hold sun cushions. Nimbus specifies seating for up to eight people around a table, with arrangements for lounging as well as clear working space when the cushions are removed. That flexibility should appeal to owners who alternate between relaxed family outings, anchoring in sheltered bays and moving safely around the boat to handle mooring lines.
Aft, the L-shaped sofa can seat around five or six people at the table, then be rearranged into a sunbed or a rear-facing seat. A fold-down side balcony opens towards the water at anchor, creating an additional connection with the swim platform and surrounding sea. Nimbus has also considered fishing, with a movable seat section, working surfaces and an optional support rack for the stern.
Protection from changeable weather is a key part of the concept. The canopy has been designed into the aft-deck architecture, with side panels and an aft section that can be deployed when needed. An enclosed sliding glass door separates the saloon from the outside space. Owners comparing boats should assess how quickly the actual canopy operates at the Düsseldorf debut, and how well the transitions between enclosed and open areas work in person.
Propulsion choices and the limits of early performance claims
Powertrain options announced for the Sport Coupé 35 include a single Mercury V10 outboard, twin Mercury Verado V8 300 outboards or a Volvo Penta D6 inboard. The inboard configuration changes the aft-end layout, allowing a larger bathing platform and associated storage. Nimbus has not yet released the full comparative specifications for these versions, and the practical trade-offs in weight, noise, fuel capacity and servicing will need closer examination.
For context, the manufacturer reports that the related Sport Tender 35 achieved 48.5 knots with twin Mercury V8 300 engines in an August sea trial. That is a result for the open Tender, not a verified top speed for the Sport Coupé with its different superstructure and accommodation. Buyers should wait for model-specific trials before drawing conclusions about maximum speed, economical cruise or range.
The shared hull uses vacuum-infused construction with a structural foam core, according to Nimbus. The builder says the design is intended to combine a low planing threshold with stable, relatively dry running. Those are manufacturer descriptions at this stage; the feel of the Coupé through waves and the effectiveness of its sound insulation can only be judged properly when completed production boats are tested.
What the 2027 world premiere should clarify
At Düsseldorf, prospective owners should be able to inspect the interior dimensions, sleeping spaces, machinery access, galley ergonomics and boarding solutions that photographs cannot fully explain. Full technical figures are due to be presented at the world premiere. In particular, payload, tankage, equipment pricing and the differences between inboard and outboard installations will influence how suitable the boat is for extended weekends and family cruising.
The Sport Coupé 35 is an interesting addition because it does not ask buyers to choose entirely between a social, outdoor sports cruiser and a boat capable of sheltered travel. Nimbus is seeking to put both uses into one platform, with a purposeful helm-side circulation route and adaptable deck furniture. Whether that combination delivers the intended everyday versatility will become clearer when visitors can step aboard the actual boat in January.