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With the Sport Weekender 42 Open , Nimbus isn't starting from scratch. The Swedish manufacturer is retaining the platform of its Sport Weekender 42 and focusing the changes on the upper portion of the boat. The goal is to offer a model that, in terms of its silhouette and intended use, more closely resembles an open daycruiser.
The change is immediately apparent. The T-top has been replaced by a fiberglass targa bar that spans the cockpit. This design visually opens up the deck and, most importantly, allows the cover to be removed almost entirely when conditions permit.
Nimbus also explicitly refers to its 32 Ballista , a model introduced for the 1990 season and kept in the catalog until 2005, to explain the design of this roll bar. This historical reference is, of course, a stylistic choice made by the manufacturer. More specifically, the bow of the new model is fixed while underway but can be folded down for transport or storage.
The Sport Weekender 42 Open is 12.70 m long and 3.46 m wide. It is part of Nimbus?s new 42 series, which also includes the Sport Tender 42 and Sport Coupé 42 in the manufacturer?s European lineup.
This development also marks a departure from the Nimbus W11 which preceded this generation. That vessel was listed as 12.40 m in length. The general concept, however, remains familiar: a large, fast boat designed primarily for outdoor living, but with sufficient below-deck accommodations to allow for a multi-day trip.
A removable top that lets you choose between shelter, shade, and an open deck
The practical benefit of the Open version is primarily found above the cockpit. Nimbus combines the roll bar with a canopy consisting of several independent sections: an upper section, a front panel, and two side panels.
When closed, the system protects the cockpit and the salon located behind the windshield. Obviously, this is not a rigid wheelhouse; rather, it is an add-on fabric cover. This distinction is important for a boat designed to sail in deteriorating conditions.
By removing the front and side panels but keeping the top section in place, the pilot and passengers have a roof while the cockpit remains well-ventilated. Sunshades can also be installed at the front and rear.
Finally, the entire canopy can be removed. The Sport Weekender 42 then takes on the layout of an open day cruiser, from the aft deck to the foredeck. According to Nimbus, switching from one configuration to the other takes a few minutes and can be done in port or at anchor. This time estimate is provided by the manufacturer and is not the result of a timed test.
This is probably where the main difference in use lies compared to a configuration with a permanent T-top. The Open prioritizes open-air exposure and, in exchange, requires more effort to provide protection when the weather changes.
The cockpit remains the main part of the boat
Under the new bow, the Nimbus retains the overall layout of the Sport Weekender 42. The aft cockpit serves as the main living area, with modular seating around the salon and an outdoor galley located nearby.
The deck layout is designed to allow for longitudinal movement from the stern to the bow. This concept is not new to the line. The W11, which preceded the Sport Weekender 42, already featured spacious outdoor areas, a cockpit galley, and convertible seating.
On board the 42 Open, sun decks are provided at both the bow and the stern. The starboard side mainly features a fold-down balcony which increases the usable width of the cockpit once the boat has come to a stop. This side deck also brings the salon closer to the water's surface.
At the stern, the swim platform is an integral part of the boat's structure. Nimbus offers an optional additional hydraulic platform designed to accommodate outboard motors. Once lowered, it can also serve as a gangway when the boat is moored.
This layout makes the boat?s intended purpose quite clear. Despite its power and advertised speed, the Sport Weekender 42 Open devotes a significant portion of its 12.70 m to time spent at anchor: swimming, meals, anchoring, and moving around the cockpit. Gyroscopic stabilization is also listed among the options to reduce roll while at anchor.
Two cabins make it possible to go beyond the scope of a simple dayboat
The name ?Open? might suggest a boat designed almost exclusively for daytime outings. The below-deck layout tells a different story.
The Sport Weekender 42 Open features two double cabins , or four sleeping spots. A separate bathroom includes a toilet and shower, with enough headroom to stand up, according to the manufacturer. The advertised maximum capacity is 12 people.
So it's not just a large motorized sun deck. A couple with children or two couples have separate sleeping arrangements for a weekend aboard. The trade-off, however, is that most of the living space is concentrated on the deck and in the cockpit.
The model unveiled in Cannes features the optional ?Legacy? interior trim. Nimbus describes it as featuring light-colored fabrics and diamond-patterned stitching. Beyond this decorative trim, the key feature for the program remains the presence of four full-size berths distributed across two cabins.
The boat carries 135 liters of fresh water and 80 liters for black water. The gray water tank is optional. These capacities provide a clearer indication of the boat?s purpose: while overnight stays on board are possible, the Sport Weekender 42 Open is first and foremost a boat designed around its outdoor spaces rather than a cruiser intended for extended voyages.
A two-step hull with up to 850 chevaux
Below the waterline, the Open version features the same hull as the 42 series. Nimbus describes a hull with two stages with air lubrication . Steps are transverse ledges built into the hull. At high speeds, they help reduce the wetted surface area and alter the flow of water under the hull.
This design principle was already present in the Nimbus boats of the previous Series 11. The W11 thus shared its two-step hull with the T11 and C11 models. The manufacturer also combined this design with a low planing threshold and a very narrow bow. However, these qualities remain merely claims made by Nimbus until they are put to the test with the new 42 Open.
Two Mercury engine options have been announced. The standard configuration includes two 300-horsepower Verado V8 engines , for a total of 600 chevaux. The top-of-the-line model is equipped with two 425 chevaux Mercury Verado V10 engines, bringing the total power output to 850 chevaux. The boat on display in Cannes features this second configuration.
Nimbus then announced a top speed exceeding 45 knots , with a stated cruising range between 20 and 40 knots. The press release does not provide any fuel consumption curves or range figures corresponding to these speeds. It is therefore impossible to make a reliable estimate of the boat?s range.
The fuel tank holds 850 liters. The Mercury joystick is paired with an integrated bow thruster on both the 300-horsepower V8 and 425-horsepower V10 engines.
6.85 metric tons and an infused sandwich construction
Nimbus announces a total of 6,850 kg for the standard boat equipped with two 425-horsepower engines . The draft is 0.90 m, and the maximum headroom is 3.85 m. The hull and deck are constructed using a vacuum-infused sandwich structure with a Divinycell core.
The announced certification is in Design category B for 10 people and C for 12 people . Category B corresponds to the European design category known as ?offshore,? while Category C applies to navigation near the coast. These categories define, in particular, reference wind and wave height conditions for design purposes; they do not constitute a definition of an authorized navigation area as defined by a navigation permit.
The standard equipment mentioned by Nimbus includes, among other things, a 12-inch Simrad NSX chartplotter, a bow thruster, Zipwake interceptors, shore power with a charger, a refrigerator, fresh water systems, and sanitary facilities.
Air conditioning powered by an inverter, a diesel generator, radar, VHF radio, heating, gyroscopic stabilization, and a hydraulic swim platform, however, are among the options selected by the manufacturer. The actual equipment level of a delivered boat will therefore depend on its configuration.
An "Open" version that primarily changes how it interacts with the outside world
The Nimbus Sport Weekender 42 Open Ultimately, it does not seek to change the Weekender?s design. Its hull, overall layout, two cabins, and large cockpit remain at the heart of the design. The innovation lies more in how these spaces are used.
The Targa bar and removable soft top allow you to switch from a sheltered cockpit to a nearly completely open boat. This is a choice that really comes into its own for summer sailing and long days at anchor, while still providing a backup option when wind or rain make an unwelcome appearance on board.
It remains to be seen how this modularity performs in practice: the time required to install the soft top, the ease of stowing the various panels, the level of protection while underway, and the hull?s handling with 850 chevaux. These are all factors that a technical spec sheet cannot fully address. On paper, however, this Open version clearly defines its purpose: a large, fast daycruiser that can double as a weekender when the day runs late .
