Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Nimbus 305 Drophead 2016 vs Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Nimbus 305 Drophead 2016 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 100-hp advantage over the Nimbus 305 Drophead 2016's 270-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 carries 132 gallons versus 66 gallons in the Nimbus 305 Drophead 2016. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
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 305 Drophead 2016 caps at 10. 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 305 Drophead 2016 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail33.00 ft
Length overall - Detail43.00 ft
Length - Feet33
Length - Feet43
Length overall - Meters10.06
Length overall - Meters13.11
Length overall - Inches396
Length overall - Inches516
Beam - Meters3.14
Beam - Meters3.69
Beam - Inches124
Beam - Inches145
Draft [max] - Detail3.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail4.00 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches48
Displacement8874.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal66
Fuel tank capacity - Gal132
Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84
Fuel tank capacity - Liters499.67
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine modelD4-270 Shaft
Engine modelD6-37
Horsepower270 hp
Horsepower370 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typenot available
Drive typeinboard
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 capacity4
Sleeping capacity6
Water capacity39.6
Water capacity105
Holding tank capacity - Gal18.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters70.03
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
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