Nimbus Tender 11 2020 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus Tender 11 2020
2020
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VS
Nimbus Tender 9 2020 boat specs
Nimbus
Nimbus Tender 9 2020
2020
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Nimbus Tender 11 2020 vs Nimbus Tender 9 2020 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nimbus Tender 11 2020 vs Nimbus Tender 9 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 75-hp advantage over the Nimbus Tender 9 2020's 225-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 Tender 11 2020 carries 225 gallons versus 85 gallons in the Nimbus Tender 9 2020. 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 Tender 11 2020 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Nimbus Tender 9 2020 caps at 9. 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 Tender 9 2020 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail40.70 ft
Length overall - Detail30.80 ft
Length - Feet40.7
Length - Feet30.8
Length overall - Meters12.41
Length overall - Meters9.39
Length overall - Inches488
Length overall - Inches370
Beam11.35 ft
Beam9.80 ft
Beam - Meters3.46
Beam - Meters2.99
Beam - Inches136
Beam - Inches118
Draft [max] - Detail3.00 ft
Draft [max] - Detail9.11 ft
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters2.78
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches109
Displacementnot available
Displacement6173.00 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal224.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal84.5
Fuel tank capacity - Liters849.98
Fuel tank capacity - Liters319.87
Engine makeMercury Verado
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelV8
Engine modelFourStroke V6
Horsepower300 hp
Horsepower225 hp
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury Verado
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 2 Engine ModelV-8
Engine 2 Engine ModelFourStroke V6
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Horsepower225 hp
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Performance
Maximum speed40
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measurenot available
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacity2
Cabins2
Cabins1
Water capacity35
Water capacity14.8
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal10.5
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters39.75

Nimbus Tender 11 2020 vs Nimbus Tender 9 2020 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Nimbus Tender 11 2020 or the Nimbus Tender 9 2020?
The Nimbus Tender 11 2020 is the longer of the two at 40,7 feet overall. The Nimbus Tender 9 2020 comes in at 30,8 feet, making it roughly 9,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Nimbus Tender 11 2020 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nimbus Tender 9 2020 tops out at 225 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 Tender 11 2020 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Nimbus Tender 9 2020 is certified for 9. 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 Tender 11 2020 measures 136" wide, compared to 118" for the Nimbus Tender 9 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 Tender 11 2020 or the Nimbus Tender 9 2020?
The Nimbus Tender 11 2020 has the bigger tank at 225 gallons, versus 85 gallons on the Nimbus Tender 9 2020. That 140-gallon difference translates to roughly 420–700 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Nimbus Tender 11 2020 and Nimbus Tender 9 2020 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Nimbus Tender 11 2020 and the Nimbus Tender 9 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.