Last year, we were convinced by the concept of the economical motor boat designed for cruising during a long-term test of the Nexus 870 equipped with a modest 30 horsepower diesel engine. Great autonomy and especially the possibility of cruising and river navigation in excellent conditions of comfort given the modest dimensions of the boat - most long-distance travellers have 10 metres or more. It should be noted that the yard is launching a Northman 1200, presented at the next Düsseldorf show.
115 hp on transom
Of course, many hulls under 9 meters are even more motorized, but this power is enough to radically transform the behavior of the Nexus 870. Where the diesel version took 10 seconds to reach 6 knots and struggled to reach 8, the 115 hp outboard version takes 8 seconds to cross at 10 knots and hovers two seconds later. But it still takes 20 seconds to reach the top speed, 20 knots.
What about consumption? At low rpm, it is already higher than that of the diesel of 30 horsepower: the 3 liters at 6 knots of the diesel version goes to 7 liters of gasoline for the same speed. Then count 8.6 litres at 3000 rpm (6.9 knots); 16.9 litres at 4000 rpm (9.6 knots); 25 litres at 5000 rpm (14.5 knots); 40 litres at 6000 rpm (20 knots). With 140 litres of fuel, the range is about 80 miles at 10 knots.
More comfortable on flat seas
The very flat hull of the Nexus 870, with its very low bilge, gives it a wide waterline. Excellent shape stability, very pleasant to wet. This type of hull, at low speed, generates very few waves, a characteristic appreciated in river navigation. Boosted by a much more powerful engine, the 870's trawler hull is doing pretty well. Frank planning, good trajectory in bends... on the other hand, the boat hits quickly if the chop is short. Advantage of the outboard motorization, a draught which goes from 60 to 40 cm. On the other hand, the convertible version, so attractive in diesel version, is less so in outboard. The cause is noise and sometimes the gases that push back (downwind when the speed of the boat is lower than that of the wind).
Two deck plan versions
We find the quality of construction of the first model tested a year earlier - bele gel coat finish and rigidity of all flat surfaces - cockpit bottom, front deck and gangways. The outboard version tested today is also equipped with a wheelhouse. In the standard version, a simple plug cover is sufficient. This basic version is less happy from an aesthetic point of view, but thanks to its reduced air draft - 2.27 m against 2.70 - it is suitable for yachtsmen who deal with very low decks... Even if the Nexus 870 does not wet its crew much, the wheelhouse provides optimum protection while guaranteeing excellent visibility and great ease of movement - 1.86 m high under beam. The pilot is comfortably seated in a bucket seat. The only drawback is that this convertible version, so attractive in diesel version, is a little less so in outboard. The cause is noise and sometimes the gases that push back (downwind when the speed of the boat is lower than that of the wind).
The traffic on the bridge is fluid thanks to the gangways always higher than 24 cm. The 7 cm thick bulwark reinforces the safety of movements. And on the idleness side of the deck, there is a large L-shaped bench - 80 by 100 cm - in the cockpit, a removable table 47 by 76 cm and a 240 by 138 cm solarium on the forward deck. For swimming, we appreciate the large aft platform (2.40 by 0.53 cm) which facilitates unloading.
Even more comfortable accommodations
One of the main advantages of the outboard version is that you get a real rear double berth. Once the diesel and its box have disappeared, the width of the sleeping area increases from 0.96 m to 1.66 m. Our test model features more"natural" woodwork and a closed front cabin. For the rest, it's the same with a layout plan, directly inspired by what is done on the sailing side. Life on board and autonomy are therefore privileged. We appreciate the descent equipped with curved steps, a height under beams of 1.95 m, the real American kitchen of 2.08 m against the port side plating, a real toilet and the numerous storage spaces.
To discover at the Grand Pavois!
The benefits
Large aft cabin
Comfort on board, at sea and at anchor
Two bridge versions available
Disadvantages
Tap into the chop at high speed
Noisy in cabriolet version
Limited autonomy
