By all accounts, Ali Bilgen and his family are born mariners. Raised on the water and seasoned by years of racing dinghies and cruising yachts across Turkey and Canada, Bilgen has spent most of his life in the rhythm of wind and wave.
But when it came time to trade the sails for a motor, he found himself navigating toward something unexpected—Nimbus.
A seasoned sailor and self-proclaimed boat purist, Bilgen didn’t arrive at this decision lightly. “We’re a boating and sailing family,” he says. His wife, Kathy, is also a skilled sailor, and all three of their children competed in national-level sailing competitions in Canada. The family spent decades aboard various sailboats, exploring coastlines and hopping islands in Turkey and Greece. “But life got busy,” Bilgen explains, “and we wanted more creature comforts, to get to our destinations faster, and to do it safely in all weather conditions.”
The search for a motor yacht that could meet their high standards began in earnest. What they found was Nimbus—Sweden’s iconic boatbuilder known for its sleek designs, understated luxury, and rugged seaworthiness. “We were looking for a boat that behaved like a sailboat in the sea—something solid, safe, and responsive. Nimbus checked every box.”
Great Swedish design. Solid. Safe. Comfortable. Attention to detail. Family. The team at Nimbus made us feel like we were part of theirs. That’s rare.”
Ali Bilgen
Owner, Nimbus & Alukin Boats
The Bilgen Fleet
The Bilgens now own a fleet that includes the Nimbus 405 Coupe, Alukin CW750, and most recently, the Nimbus 495 Flybridge. “Meeting the Nimbus team helped seal the decision,” Bilgen recalls. “They genuinely care. They’re boaters themselves and they listen to their customers. That matters.”
And it shows. In the Aegean Sea—where afternoon Meltemi winds can whip up two-meter waves—Bilgen recounts one memorable crossing. “We were late leaving Bodrum and had to head north into 20–25 knot winds. There were only three boats out: a Hallberg-Rassy, a Turkish Coast Guard vessel, and us in the Nimbus 405. That says everything.” While others stayed moored, the Bilgens cruised on undeterred. “We’re not adventurers,” he insists, “but when we face rough conditions, our Nimbus handles them with ease.”
The 495 Flybridge has unlocked new horizons, including plans to explore the west coast of Sweden and Norway before returning to the Aegean. “It’s exciting to take a boat like this back to where it was born and then bring it back to the Med where we’ve spent so many great seasons.”
Canadian Archipelago & Alukin
Beyond their Nimbus Boats, they also own an Alukin CW750 (part of the Nimbus Group Family), the first of its kind in Canada, has also been a revelation.
“It’s a beast,” Bilgen says. Designed for utility and durability, it’s their go-to vessel for commuting to their summer home in Georgian Bay, part of Lake Huron. “It’s safe, reliable, and handles ice-out in April through December. Most islanders can’t even reach their homes before May.”
The Bilgens also use the boat to explore the rugged, rocky islands of the Canadian archipelago, much like the Swedish coast that inspired these boats. Their dogs know the routine well: the moment the Alukin’s landing ramp drops, they leap ashore to explore a new island.
It’s this combination of capability and comfort that defines Nimbus for the Bilgens. From moonlit dinners on the bow in the Greek isles to isolated crossings across cold Canadian waters, their boats aren’t just vessels—they’re extensions of their lifestyle.
The Biggest Difference
“Great Swedish design. Solid. Safe. Comfortable. Attention to detail,” Bilgen says, ticking off the adjectives that describe Nimbus. Then he adds one more: “Family. The team at Nimbus made us feel like we were part of theirs. That’s rare.”
And perhaps that’s the biggest difference between a good boat and a great one—not just how it performs, but who’s standing behind it.
If you are looking for more information on the 405 Coupe or 495 Flybridge, click below, and a Nimbus expert will be in touch as soon as possible.
