To read Chapter One of Dayboats in Asia, click here

NIMBUS BUILDS ON HERITAGE

Nimbus T11

Now approaching its 60th anniversary, Nimbus is a Swedish icon and in the 1980s collaborated with tennis star Bjorn Borg. However, the shipyard only found a strong footing in this region from 2021 when it appointed Asiamarine as its dealer in multiple markets including Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.

Headquartered in Gothenburg, Nimbus has a rich heritage, embodied by its iconic Coupé line, but has found recent success with the open Tender (T), semi-enclosed Weekender (W) and enclosed Commuter (C) series, all using shared platforms (8, 9, 11, 12). Asiamarine has sold about 30 Nimbus boats, with the 11 series providing the most popular models to date.

Nimbus T11

“Nimbus is made for real boat connoisseurs, experienced owners who truly understand why Nimbus stands out in this segment,” says Guillaume Andrebe, Asiamarine’s Brand Manager for Nimbus.

“These owners have usually owned boats before and turn to Nimbus for stronger, more durable construction that lasts for years. They particularly appreciate the superior build quality, exceptional all-weather seaworthiness, intelligent functionality, and high-end materials like solid-wood interiors and refined upholstery.”

Nimbus W11

The 11 series models have an overall length of 40ft 7in, making them 10ft longer than the 9 series (30ft 8in).

“The size of the 11 series is the perfect sweet spot for the Asian market,” Andrebe says. “They can be equipped like no other boats in this category, with hydraulic platform, gyro stabilisers, air-conditioning and more. All this equipment combined with the renowned Nimbus build quality give you a dayboat with a ‘real yacht’ feeling.”

This year, Nimbus launched the 12 series with the world premieres of the T12, W12 and C12 at Boot Düsseldorf. The models share the same twin-stepped, air-lubricated hull as the 11 series but it’s now further stiffened by vacuum infusion, while an extended swim platform gives the boats a 41ft 7in LOA.

Nimbus 12 series

As well as being a foot longer, the new models incorporate over 200 upgrades including the introduction of a balcony and a bigger, upgraded T-top on the T11.

Two 300hp Mercury Verado V8 outboard engines are offered as standard, with 425hp Mercury Verado V10s as an upgrade, while a wraparound hydraulic swim platform is among options. The C12 and T12 are also available with inboards – two 320hp Volvo Penta D4-DPI engines.

“For the 12 series, Nimbus incorporated everything they learnt from owners and their experience to provide the ultimate dayboats,” Andrebe says.

GALEON’S GRAND TOURERS

Asiamarine’s anchor brand is Galeon, which it has represented in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand since 2016 before being appointed in late 2022 to oversee other dealers in the region under the Galeon Asia network.

The Polish shipyard is best known for its transformer-style flybridge motoryachts, having pioneered drop-down sides in the 40-70ft segment while also introducing waterside bars and revolving cockpit seats.

Galeon 435 GTO

However, in collaboration with US distributor MarineMax, Galeon introduced its Grand Touring Outboards series with the 325 GTO in early 2021. The one-balcony, two-cabin boat soon found a market beyond Florida and by the end of the year Asiamarine had delivered a unit to an owner in Hong Kong.

The range quickly expanded with the 375 GTO in 2022, 435 GTO in 2024 and inboard 435 GTI in 2025, each offering two drop-down balconies and speeds of 45-50 knots depending on engines. The series is already being renewed, with the 335 GTO debuting in Cannes last year to succeed the 325 GTO. This year, a new 435 GTI arrived in Hong Kong following earlier sales by Asiamarine of the 375 GTO and multiple units of the 325 GTO.

Galeon 435 GTI

“The 435’s inboard version with Volvo Penta’s IPS or DPI engines and joystick is a fantastic boat, with a hydraulic bathing platform among options,” says Asiamarine’s Michel Joly, Regional Dealership Manager. “The new 335 GTO is a fantastic, affordable dayboat that’s also attracting interest.”

Galeon’s GTO/GTI boats are an appealing option for owners looking to make the most out of boating for a day. As well as the signature aft deck space and Galeon’s signature moveable, flexible furniture, all models include a bow with U-shaped seating that can be converted into a sunpad.

Both 435 models have a three-panel sliding door and can be completely enclosed, allowing for an air-conditioned interior, while the 375 GTO now also has this appealing option. Depending on the models, features and options include an opening sunroof and side windows, and an electric aft awning, important for owners in Asia.

Galeon 375 GTO

“Our clients love the ‘dayboat first’ energy of the GTO/GTI series and that it comes with real comfort. Owners get maximum lifestyle and fun per metre because the entertaining space feels larger than the boat’s length suggests. It feels like a floating beach club because of the easy water access and big cockpit with balconies that make the boat bigger at anchor,” Joly says.

“There’s so much to like. They have a sporty look but a real yacht build quality, while all the technology, from the sound systems and LED lightings to the galley equipment, is premium. Plus, they’re suitable for Asia because they can be fully open, shaded or even enclosed with air-con.”

PARDO BRINGS ITALIAN STYLE

As if it wasn’t offering enough dayboat options, Asiamarine is now also representing both Italy’s Pardo Yachts and Wellcraft, the American brand owned by Groupe Beneteau.

Pardo 43 (2025 edition)

Pardo is a true luxury dayboat pioneer. Created by Cantiere del Pardo, builder of Grand Soleil sailing yachts since 1973, Pardo debuted the shipyard’s first motorboat, the P43, in 2017. With an upgraded model of the same name debuting last year, the model has sold over 330 units and helped put the Italian brand at the forefront of the luxury dayboat sector.

The outboard version, the P43R, debuted at this year’s Miami International Boat Show and can top 50 knots with the upgrade option of triple 600hp Mercury Verado V12s.

Pardo’s other Walkaround models include the P38, P38R and P50, while larger, enclosed models are represented by the sporty GT series (GT52, GT65, GT75) and long-range Endurance line (E60, E72).

Pardo 38

Asiamarine represents the brand in many of the region’s key markets (excluding Thailand) and kicked off its partnership with the sale of a P38 that’s scheduled to arrive in the second quarter, to be followed by an open day. The dealership is also organising visits for clients and prospects to see the brand’s models at international shows.

“Delivering on our early momentum and client interest, we sold a P38 and are in discussions with several promising clients. We’re actively promoting the new P43 and P43R, organising exclusive viewings for clients,” says Florian Paludetto, Asiamarine’s Brand Manager for Pardo.

Pardo 38

“Pardo is growing in popularity in the region. Owners are drawn to the distinctive Italian design and the effortless dolce vita vibe – that thrilling, carefree Mediterranean lifestyle of sun-drenched decks, seamless indoor-outdoor flow, and social spaces that feel luxurious yet relaxed.”

While the Pardo brand launched straight into the heart of the luxury dayboat sector, Wellcraft only steered into it recently, having been founded in 1955 and become best-known for its offshore fishing boats, now produced under the Fisherman series.

WELLCRAFT GROWING WISE

Owned by Groupe Beneteau since 2014, Wellcraft moved into the luxury dayboat sector by using the same designers Jeanneau did for its DB Yachts range: American Michael Peters for the hull and Italian Camillo Garroni for the concept and styling.

Wellcraft 38 T-Top

Starting with the debut of the 38 Explorer (formerly 355) in 2022, it then added the 44 Explorer (formerly 435) the following year and the open 38 T-Top in 2024.

However, for its new 28 series launched this year, Wellcraft partnered with Navia, the renowned stepped-hull specialist, for design and naval architecture.

In addition, Groupe Beneteau is producing the 28 series with Wellcraft Infujection Structure Engineering (WISE), which combines resin infusion and injection moulding to create the hull and stringers as one integrated piece, producing a significantly lighter, stiffer and stronger structure.

Wellcraft 28 T-Top (foreground) and 28 Explorer

In January, Wellcraft staged the global debuts of the 28 Explorer and 28 T-Top at Boot, to be followed by the 28 Speedster, with the models touted to top 50 knots.

“With the new WISE technology, the Wellcraft 28 planes faster, accelerates harder and runs drier with better efficiency,” says Andrebe, who also manages Wellcraft at Asiamarine.

Representing Wellcraft in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand, Asiamarine has ordered a 28 T-Top, 28 Explorer and 38 T-Top, which could all arrive in the third quarter and potentially exhibit at this year’s Hong Kong International Boat Show at Club Marina Cove.

Wellcraft 38 T-Top

“Scandinavian-style adventure boats have surged in popularity across the region in recent years,” Andrebe says. “Wellcraft’s new generation of dayboats offer remarkable versatility and let owners select configurations that perfectly match their lifestyle, whether it’s pure dayboat fun, weekend getaways, offshore fishing or extended adventures.”
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pardoyachts.com
wellcraft.com