Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus 26 Nova 2003
2003
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VS
Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus 43 Nova 2010
2010
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Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 vs Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 vs Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 370 hp, the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 has a 110-hp advantage over the Nimbus 26 Nova 2003's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 43,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail26.00 ft
Length overall - Detail43.00 ft
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet43
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters13.11
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches516
Beam8.10 ft
Beam12.10 ft
Beam - Meters2.47
Beam - Meters3.69
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches145
Displacement5511.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail4.00 ft
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches48
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine modelKAD 44 EDC
Engine modelD6-37
Horsepower260 hp
Horsepower370 hp
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal132
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters499.67
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelD6-37
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower370 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity2
Sleeping capacity6
Cabins1
Cabins3
Head1
Head2
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity105
Performance
Cruising speednot available
Cruising speed28
Cruising speed measurenot available
Cruising speed measureknots
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed33
Maximum speed measurenot available
Maximum speed measureknots

Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 vs Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 or the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010?
The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 is the longer of the two at 43,0 feet overall. The Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 17,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 is rated to a maximum of 370 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 tops out at 260 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 measures 145" wide, compared to 97" for the Nimbus 26 Nova 2003. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 and Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 and the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 are built by Nimbus. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.