32 foot Nimble Wanderer

T

thataway

Active member
http://tinyurl.com/7coyyuj

A yacht broker sent me the link to a 32 foot 8' 6" beam Nimble Wanderer, which has a trailer. The boat has a 75 hp Yanmar diesel and is extremely economical to run.

I thought this might be of some interest for persons interested in a larger diesel trawler which is fairly easily trailerable at a very affordable price.

One feature is a steering station all of the way aft (I assume that the bow thruster is also accessed from this position). This would be a great feature for docking and for fishing.

It sounds as if the boat has been neglected for the last 4 years, and a few items stolen, but the design is very sound (Ted Brewer). These boats have an excellent reputation.
 
Neat boat! Not a lot of them out there. I've always been a fan of the Nimble line of boats, even considered a Kodiak before we ordered Wild Blue. No idea how far "gone" this one is, but that price must reflect the fact that some work will be needed to bring it back around.
 
A beautiful, well outfitted boat. Not personally familiar with them but with Ted Brewer at the drawing board it should perform well.

The Yanmar diesel is a top shelf choice. The Amish who installed and maintain my "off grid" system swear by them. They told me they have seen them with over 50,000 hours on them in a generator application. Even if someone wanted to upgrade this boat to a newer engine, the core would still command top dollar - as they are very adaptable to many different applications.

Regards, Rob
 
I am personally aware of a Yanmar 3 GM series going over 25,000 hrs in a generator application. In irrigation pumps near this 50 K. Mark

The nimble is probably over powered with the 75 hp.

We will be within a few miles of where this boat is located in a couple of weeks and might take a look at it.-- not in the market, but....
 
Bob,

I've run a few smaller, outboard powered Nimbles designed by Ted Brewer, and while I have always liked their salty look and clever interior design, I found their flat bottoms to be extremely uncomfortable in anything more than a one foot chop. I think they are a great river boat, but even then you have to watch out for windy conditions and choppy water.
 
Sasscom":kwtfcghg said:
Bob,

I've run a few smaller, outboard powered Nimbles designed by Ted Brewer, and while I have always liked their salty look and clever interior design, I found their flat bottoms to be extremely uncomfortable in anything more than a one foot chop. I think they are a great river boat, but even then you have to watch out for windy conditions and choppy water.
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That sounds like a description of a C-Dory (other than the Tomcat). With a relatively flat planing hull, you're making the tradeoff between great fuel mileage and comfortable ride at higher speed in chop/waves. In general on a monohull, you get one but not the other.
 
The Nimble has an even flatter entry than a C-Dory monohull. I've run both and I'd rather be in a C-Dory when the conditions get snotty.
 
Our first cruising boat was a Nimble Nomad. Powered it with a 50 hourse Honda. A wonderful funky boat. Well built, but a little sloppy in the finish department. Leaky windows and hatches ect. The design was outstanding with a cockppit forward and one aft. The open bow was a concern in really rough water and at 7 knots we got caught in the middle of the Ches. bay in stormes at times. She did pound in anything over a foot. I was lucky to discuss the Wander with Ted Brewer before the first boat was produced. It was a really nice design and would have been a nice cruiser. Lots of room for the size, full stand-up shower, nice gally, and a big stateroom forward.
We probably would have owned one except we found our Monk 36 at the right price. We still have a soft spot for Nimbles. I think they are still being produced one at a time.
 
Hi George the hull lines on the Wanderer are far different than on the Nomad. The Wanderer is a semi displacement hull--in that it probably can be driven up to the 15 or so knot speed with a larger engine. But it has round chines, moderately slack garboards and a long run. There is a keel.

The Nomad is basically flat bottom, more like a sharpie.

I have never run a Wanderer, but I expect that it would be much more sea kindly than the Nomad. I also don't like the open bow on the Nomad.

Hard to tell what the finish level is on this boat--the photos are at least 5 years old,
 
For anybody interested in these boats, I just saw a 25' Nomad Tropical for sale. 2001 with 300hrs. on a 50 Honda. Didn't look inside but the exterior including the brightwork appears to be in excellent shape. The dealer is asking $29k. It can be viewed on their website. Bridge Yachtbrokers and ships store, Port Dover, Ontario, Canada.

They sure are cute :D but I don't know how well they would like Lake Erie :shock:

Regards, Rob
 
I've had both a '03 Nimble Wanderer and then a 1996 Nomad. I bought the Wanderer in Ft Lauderdale and took it down to the Keys then up the west coast to Destin. The Wanderer is more of a "coast wise" boat.

http://kenmc.smugmug.com/Other/03-Nimbl ... 0309-L.jpg

http://kenmc.smugmug.com/Other/03-Nimbl ... 0345-L.jpg

http://kenmc.smugmug.com/Other/03-Nimbl ... 0349-L.jpg

I sold the beautiful Wanderer and bought a Nomad. Cool little boat but the Nomad is NOT for any kind of blue water or chop.

I sold the Nomad cause I think I've found the perfect boat, for me, after many years.

Hopefully I'm picking up my new to me C-Dory 25 next weekend.
 
I believe I saw that Wanderer--or one that looked very much like it--anchored at Juana's in Navarre, FL, last year. It is a beautiful little boat.

I cruised through Destin harbor just tonight. It was a gorgeous night to be out on the water. I'll look for you around Destin in your new 25 Cruiser. Congratulations on the new boat.
 
ken35216, welcome to C-Brats!

I'd love to know about your experiences on the Wanderer vs. the CD-25. Different as they seem to be, both of those boats are currently on my shortlist. What kinds of cruise speeds did you see in the Nimble? What kinds of weather and sea conditions were comfortable / marginal / scary in it? I have been aboard one, but not underway.

Hope you have tons of great adventures in your C Dory!
 
svmegatron":2m5kcqvf said:
ken35216, welcome to C-Brats!

I'd love to know about your experiences on the Wanderer vs. the CD-25. Different as they seem to be, both of those boats are currently on my shortlist. What kinds of cruise speeds did you see in the Nimble? What kinds of weather and sea conditions were comfortable / marginal / scary in it? I have been aboard one, but not underway.

Hope you have tons of great adventures in your C Dory!
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My Wanderer had a 100 Yanmar. Too big IMHO for the engine compartment. It cruised around 6-7 knots and 7-9 when I was doing offshore crossings. Fantastic mileage however but not real fast.

It did great into 5 foot waves a couple of times but you did not want a beam sea. It's narrow and would roll.

The workmanship was second to none on the one I had which I bought with 25 hours on the clock in 2010.

The reason I sold it was it was a little to big for me to trailer and I wanted to go faster. Not retired yet :cry
 
Morning Star":2q7naoge said:
I believe I saw that Wanderer--or one that looked very much like it--anchored at Juana's in Navarre, FL, last year. It is a beautiful little boat.

I cruised through Destin harbor just tonight. It was a gorgeous night to be out on the water. I'll look for you around Destin in your new 25 Cruiser. Congratulations on the new boat.
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Hopefully my new to me C-Dory will be there next weekend. I'll keep it at Legendary Marine in their high and dry.

Someone has a Cape Cruiser Marinaut there and that's when I decided I wanted a C-Dory. Very cool boats!!! I have a Key West 2020 there now.
 
ken35216":2gsebzpz said:
Hopefully my new to me C-Dory will be there next weekend. I'll keep it at Legendary Marine in their high and dry.
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Exciting times! Congrats on your new C-Dory :beer

Sunbeam :hot

PS: As was mentioned above, it will be really interesting to hear your thoughts on the C-Dory in the context of your previous boats. I've drooled over photos of the Nomad more than once.
 
ken35216, thank you very much for your thoughts on the Wanderer, they're much appreciated!

I very much suspect its cruising speeds will ultimately eliminate it from consideration for me, but it is VERY reassuring to hear about its performance in rougher water.

Enjoy your new boat!
 
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