Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus 43 Nova 2010
2010
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VS
Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus Commuter 11 2020
2020
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Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 vs Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 vs Nimbus Commuter 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 370 hp, the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 has a 50-hp advantage over the Nimbus Commuter 11 2020's 320-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 Commuter 11 2020 carries 225 gallons versus 132 gallons in the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010. 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 Commuter 11 2020 caps at 12. 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 Commuter 11 2020 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail43.00 ft
Length overall - Detail40.70 ft
Length - Feet43
Length - Feet40.7
Length overall - Meters13.11
Length overall - Meters12.41
Length overall - Inches516
Length overall - Inches488
Beam12.10 ft
Beam11.40 ft
Beam - Meters3.69
Beam - Meters3.47
Beam - Inches145
Beam - Inches137
Draft [max] - Detail4.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail3.00 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches48
Draft [max] - Inches36
Displacementnot available
Displacement14550.00 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal132
Fuel tank capacity - Gal224.5
Fuel tank capacity - Liters499.67
Fuel tank capacity - Liters849.82
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine modelD6-37
Engine modelD4 DPI
Horsepower370 hp
Horsepower320 hp
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Drive typenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine 2 Engine ModelD6-37
Engine 2 Engine ModelD4 DPI
Engine 2 Horsepower370 hp
Engine 2 Horsepower320 hp
Engine 2 Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Performance
Cruising speed28
Cruising speednot available
Cruising speed measureknots
Cruising speed measurenot available
Maximum speed33
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measurenot available
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity6
Sleeping capacity4
Cabins3
Cabins2
Head2
Headnot available
Water capacity105
Water capacity36
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal21
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters79.49

Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 vs Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 or the Nimbus Commuter 11 2020?
The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 is the longer of the two at 43,0 feet overall. The Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 comes in at 40,7 feet, making it roughly 2,3 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 Commuter 11 2020 tops out at 320 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 43 Nova 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 is certified for 12. 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 137" for the Nimbus Commuter 11 2020. 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.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 or the Nimbus Commuter 11 2020?
The Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 has the bigger tank at 225 gallons, versus 132 gallons on the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010. That 92-gallon difference translates to roughly 277–462 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 and Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 and the Nimbus Commuter 11 2020 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.