Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus 43 Nova 2010
2010
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VS
Nimbus Commuter 8 2021 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus Commuter 8 2021
2021
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Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 vs Nimbus Commuter 8 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 vs Nimbus Commuter 8 2021 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 70-hp advantage over the Nimbus Commuter 8 2021's 300-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 63 gallons in the Nimbus Commuter 8 2021. 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 8 2021 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 Commuter 8 2021 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 - Detail43.00 ft
Length overall - Detail26.20 ft
Length - Feet43
Length - Feet26.2
Length overall - Meters13.11
Length overall - Meters7.99
Length overall - Inches516
Length overall - Inches314
Beam12.10 ft
Beam8.40 ft
Beam - Meters3.69
Beam - Meters2.56
Beam - Inches145
Beam - Inches101
Draft [max] - Detail4.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail9.50 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Meters2.9
Draft [max] - Inches48
Draft [max] - Inches114
Displacementnot available
Displacement6633.00 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal132
Fuel tank capacity - Gal63.3
Fuel tank capacity - Liters499.67
Fuel tank capacity - Liters239.62
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeMercury Verado
Engine modelD6-37
Engine modelV8
Horsepower370 hp
Horsepower300 hp
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Drive typenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelD6-37
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Horsepower370 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
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 capacity2
Cabins3
Cabins1
Head2
Headnot available
Water capacity105
Water capacity13.1
Boat typePower
Boat typePower

Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 vs Nimbus Commuter 8 2021 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 or the Nimbus Commuter 8 2021?
The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 is the longer of the two at 43,0 feet overall. The Nimbus Commuter 8 2021 comes in at 26,2 feet, making it roughly 16,8 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 8 2021 tops out at 300 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 8 2021 is certified for 7. 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 101" for the Nimbus Commuter 8 2021. 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 8 2021?
The Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 has the bigger tank at 132 gallons, versus 63 gallons on the Nimbus Commuter 8 2021. That 68-gallon difference translates to roughly 206–343 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 and Nimbus Commuter 8 2021 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Nimbus 43 Nova 2010 and the Nimbus Commuter 8 2021 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.