Considering Nitro 640 LX as first boat

[Kitz]

Hi all. I'm in the market for my first bass boat, and I've found a very clean 2006 Nitro 640 LX for a decent price. The only real concern I have is the lack of power and space everyone is telling me about with a Merc 60 on the back. I'm not looking to set the water alight, but when I want to hit a new spot, I don't want to take all day either. I'll also be fishing with a partner alot of the time, and I'm told the added weight will make it hard to get on plane/sluggish. I'm also being told it'll be very cramped onboard with 2 or more people. Anyone (especially 640 owners) care to comment?

I've read as much as I can possibly find about the 640 on the web and I've solicited comments elsehwhere too (there's not a TON of info available unless you're looking at higher end models) so I appreciate your input.

By the way, I'm new to the site. Been bass fishing a long time but I grew up shore fishing (my folks never had the money for a boat). Glad I found the forum here!

[2007Nitro]

I was once an owner of a 2007 nitro 640 lx w/ a 60hp 4-stroke. Its an okay starter boat, mine would do around 35-37mph with me ( 165lb) and my partner (200+lb) It was a little sluggish to get on plane and even worse w/ a full live well and gas. By my self it would do around 39mph.  Since its a small boat it was hard to control w/ the trolling motor when it was windy  and it rode rough when the lakes got rough. All and all not a bad boat if the price is right. Now Iam a very very very proud owner of a Ranger 188vx w/ e-tec 150         <---------------  Great boat all around.

[Fish_myster]

Nice to meet you Kitz 
I have a small Nitro too. '97 700 LX. But mine has a 120 hp on it. To me it is a good starter boat. I couldn't afford all the bigger boats and with gas prices the smaller engines (if not over worked) are good on gas.
I really like mine friend. I have caught many of fish out of her. Mine is a dual console so it has even less room on the front deck. But you can still catch fish out of her 

Knock on wood here  My Nitro has been very good to me. I run her year round. (Ohio get's friggin cold in the winter) but she always starts up and purrs for me. Big water is rough on smaller boats too. You have to weigh the pro's and con's.

Smaller boat.easy on the tow vehicle and gas in the boat. Plus you can get in smaller creeks with this shorter lighter boat. Some back waters I'm get to the bigger 20 or 21 footers can't get into.
Con.. 2 is the max I fish in this boat..unless I take two kids fishin' 
My lab is 120 lbs and rides with me all the time plus one other person 1/3 of the time.

here is mine:


Chip

[Ron Fogelson]

Our 1st bass boat was a 1999 Nitro 640 with a 75hp force bought new that year.  Within the 1st year I was kicking myself for not maxxing it out with a 90hp.   

Mostly I fished on my own but did fish tournaments from time to time and with two grown men in a 16 foot boat each with a 6.5 to 7 foot rod casting room can get tight if your not careful.  D & I have two boys and as they grew and as I got into more and more tournaments the 640 just wasn't enough boat for us.  In 2004 we went to the Nitro 929 and sold our 640 to my Dad back up in MN.  It is still going strong being used to fish for Walleye now.

It was a great 1st bass boat for us & if I didn't have kids or fish as many tournaments I could still be using it today but we just out grew it.

I would be hard pressed to drop down to a 60 hp knowing what I do about how it ran with a 75hp.  Also back in 1999 I about mine new with a 75 for $10,840.00 and now they run $13,000 and change for a 60hp at that price I might be more inclined to go with a Tracker getting more hp and lighter boat for better performance.

[Kitz]

Well, I went to see the boat today. We were going to put it on the water but the registration wasn't available. I noticed a gouge (about the size of the tip of your pinkie finger and depth of about 1/8 inch) on the keel the owner didn't tell me about, and 2 of the 3 blades of the prop are ever so slightly burred/bent. I can't see that the size of the boat would be a problem for me. I don't plan to fish tournements at all. I just want to be out on the water fishing.

I told the owner if he'd knock 400 off of the price (200 for keel guard and 200 for a SS prop), and we can get it on the water and all electronics and stuff work, I'd buy it. He's asking 8900 BTW.....that sound pretty fair?

Thanks for the replies fellas!

[wannafish]

 Kitz,


    I own an '06 640 myself, all I can say is get at least a 75. I am running a 90 optimax on mine which fairs well, I also have a neighbor that is running a 75 and has far as performance they seem virtually equal.  My Dad and I use the boat every weekend, sometimes it does seem a bit small but we make due, we both fish 6' 6 rods and casting hasent really ever been an issue, however you do need to pay attention. My boat planes fair with us boat in it me being 195 and my Dad is about 270, and it runs about 52 mph wide open, I do wish it was a little faster but who catches fish at 50 anyways?  if your gonna fish by yourself or with a couple of kids I say go for it. It has worked for me especially since we don't really have big water near me anyways, and I am no tourney fisherman. Great starter boat and I am not dissappointed so far, now don't get me wrong I will eventually upgrade but it will be AWHILE. Also one last thing you may want to invest in a trolling motor if that hasen already been done. Good Luck and happy fishing.     

[Kitz]

I'm going to test the boat on the water this morning, finally. If she runs well enough, I'll be bringing her home and should be fishing by the weekend! 

[Fish_myster]

Have fun and be careful      

[Ron Fogelson]

Hey good luck with the test drive, hope everything goes as you want it to!   

[Kitz]

Well, I went to test the boat this morning. Wind advisory on Lake Murray, white caps...perfect to test out a boat. I was curious about stability in the choppy stuff too. With me (150 lbs) and the owner (easily 270 lbs) on board, she got on plane very quickly, and we hit 40 MPH easily. I told him to pull into a cove so I could check out the trolling motor. It all checked out, except the FF. He told me he had stopped in a dealership to have them check the fuses, but they were closed. Would have cost him $45 easily. When I got it home I checked under the console and a wire had come disconnected. I absolutely love this little boat, and I got a good deal on it. 4 day weekend this weekend, so I'll be on the water at least 3 of the 4 days. I can't wait!  The only thing I need to get immidiately is a FF on the bow, which isn't really a huge deal. Thanks so much for the replies and advise! I feel like a kid at xmas...can't wait for Friday!! 

[Fish_myster]

Good news Kitz, your are like a kid in a candy store now 

Enjoy your first boat and before long you'll want to enter some of these Tourneys 
Happy boating   
Chip

[Ron Fogelson]

Hey sounds llike you found just the boat for you!  Congratulations, enjoy yourself and be safe this weekend!