Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 vs Nimbus Tender 11 2020 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Nimbus 26 Nova 2003 vs Nimbus Tender 11 2020 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 300 hp, the Nimbus Tender 11 2020 has a 40-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 Tender 11 2020 is rated for 12 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 Tender 11 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Nimbus Tender 11 2020 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 40,7 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 - Detail40.70 ft
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet40.7
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters12.41
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches488
Beam - Meters2.47
Beam - Meters3.46
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches136
Displacement5511.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail3.00 ft
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches36
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeMercury Verado
Engine modelKAD 44 EDC
Engine modelV8
Horsepower260 hp
Horsepower300 hp
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeoutboard
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal224.54
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters849.98
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury Verado
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelV-8
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity2
Sleeping capacity4
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity35
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed40
Maximum speed measurenot available
Maximum speed measureknots