Nitro boat question.

[lousyfisher]

I've noticed that nitros seem to be the least priced of all fiberglass bass boats available today.  Locally guys seem to think they are junk but really don't know if that is accurate.  Is the lower price on nitros due to poor quality or is it a lack of "extras" that other boat builders install on their boats?     I would enjoy hearing from the experts on this site.

[BassBUFF]

I looked at almost every manufacturer before I decided to buy a Legend in 2007. A lot of folks really like the Nitros. They are lower priced for a couple reasons; 1. They are massed produced which lowers cost, 2. They don't typically have the high end options as standard equipment.

It really boils down to what you want in a boat. It's the Chevy and Ford vs. the Cadilac and Lincoln argument. Take a look at the fit and finish and the options of any boat you're looking at and decide what you're willing to pay for.

I'm sure Fogy will weigh in on this too as he drives a Nitro and really likes them. So he'll be able to give a better opinion from an owner's perspective.

Good luck in your search!

[Ron Fogelson]

No matter what you've been told size matters    and that is the biggest thing I like about my 929.

At almost 6 foot 4 280 lbs the 96 inch beam gives me room to move on the front of my boat.  Not only that but on a nitro the front deck stays wide all the way to the front unlike some other boats that take on the profile of a lawn dart once past the seats.

Dry ride for the most part but with any boat that is give and take on the weather/water conditions and the ability of the driver.

Not the fastest boat on the market but can hang with the other off the shelf boats out there the seats on the 9 series and now on the Z series gets the driver up off the floor.  You sit high and for me it's nice to see what's up in front of you and as a big guy I don't feel like I have to crawl up off the floor when I get up to go to the front deck, it also lets you use your legs more rather than just your back when you get in rough water.

Storage for days and days, enough that if you fill it all I think you could over load your boat    As Steve said some of the items on the package are not top of the line but it's a start, depth finder upgrade, trolling motor upgrade, charger upgrades and so on adds $$ to the price.  Also the motor is packaged on the small side if you want to max it out that is another expense you need to figure in and if able max out the motor before you spend $$ on any other upgrade.

My 929 has the guardian live wells and those are also standard on the Z's the are in the shape of a boot so the bass have a place to nose into and helps prevent the live well water from splashing about providing a safe ride for your catch; I love these live wells!

Down side the bigger boats are not the bargain they used to be.  When I went looking for my boat in 2004/2005 a 929 rigged out with a 225 opti went right at $30,000.00 and I got mine for $25,000.00 today the Z 9 is over $52,000.00 with a 250 pro xs after shipping/rigging cost.  That is a hell of a jump in 5 years.

The smaller boats like the Z 7 or even the X series is going to be less but you also get less.  Best advice is to decide what you want 1st in a boat, max out the HP and be patient and look at every boat you can, fish out of them, drive them and check out older boats to see how they age and are holding up.

If the boat fairy came to my door and told me I could have any boat in the world I wanted for free I would jump at a Z8 with a 250 pro xs they are about $10,000.00 less than the Z-9 and faster.    With that said I'm still waiting on a ride/test drive opportunity in the new Phoenix those boats have my attention. 

[Chuck H.]

Fogy has pointed out some of the same things I would have told you about Nitro. At one time, Nitro had problems with quality, fit/finish, etc. A lot of people who were only familiar with Nitros back then, still seem to believe the same thing, which is due to a lack of knowledge of how Nitro has progressed. These days, Nitro builds quality boats which have excellent construction, fit and finish, storage, handling, etc. I have a Z-9 which I would put up against any similar boat on the market. Tracker has always tried to tailor their boat packages to appeal to the general boater. That is why you may see a certain class Nitro boat which costs less than a similar class boat of another brand. As you get into the Z series boats, and if you equip them similarly as other boats in their class, you will see a similar price. Don't let anyone tell you that Nitro is an inferior brand. Go look at one for yourself and get someone to demo one for you. I think you'll see what I mean.         

[E5Zero]

I am on my second Nitro, the first was a 2003 NX750 with a 90 Merc which I owned for 2 years.  Nice boat but a little small for me.

This spring I sold it and bought a 2008 Z-7 with a 175 ProXS hung on the back.  As Fogy said, storage out the wazzoo.  Rides and trailers well.  I upgraded the dash unit to a GPS.  Mine already had upgraded Trolling Motor and onboard chargers.  Fogy and I are built the same and for me it has plenty of room.  Changed out the prop to a 4 blade to try and run low 60's all day long, great hole shot.  I will probably put the three blade back on this winter to play with.

Now if I had my choice I would get a Z-8 with the 250 ProXS.  That is one sweet ride.

[nitro 898]

I have a 2007 nitro 898 bought brand new. Have had numerous co-anglers in tournaments that were amazed by how smooth and dry the rough water ride was. I love the boat and have no regrets on going with it.

Being a "massed produced" boat does have its draw backs. Have had some minor quality issues mostly with compartments lids and dashboard lights. My dealer always steps up get's me to the front of the repair list and gets it done.

Thinking about a z-8 or a z-9 in the next couple years but I hate to give up the nice ride this boat has.

[lousyfisher]

I appreciate all of the replys, they have been very helpful.  One last question though,  what about the Z-5 that I see in bass pro catalogs?  I mainly fish the ohio river and am thinking maybe 17ft is good enough, don't know though.    Does anyone know max hp for that boat?   I know whatever I get I want an e-tec or opti on it ( I understand it will cost more).

[E5Zero]

It is the X-5!  Had to abuse you a bit, there is a great review of this boat written by Matt Eisenbacher.  I bought Matt's old Z-7 and he knows his stuff.  If I was fishing smaller lakes I would have looked at the X-5, great layout and economical.  I think max HP is 115.  Go with a 115 Opti and you will not go wrong.

Here is a link.  http://www.conservationcafe.com/fishing/article_detail.asp?iArticleID=5172

[Dchance]

E5Zero has it right.  Check out Matt's article on the x-5.  I crawled all over one at a Bass Pro to try and find goods and bads, and I tell you it was tough.  Nitro has come a long way in quality even since my 02 901.  Great little boat and 115 is the max and Nitros come with Mercs on the back so the Opti (115) would be the best choice. Go look at one, you will be impressed.

[-Bryan-]

My boat isn't a Nitro, but the Aluminum equivalent of the 898...I have the Avalanche with a 150 Merc.  I absolutely love my boat, no issues that were not my fault.  Runs great, was a real good price and a great looking boat.  That said, it is getting old and the next boat I buy will be the Z-8/250 Pro XS combo.  I used to sell tracker/Nitro boats and heard a lot of the negative chatter as well.  One thing to keep in mind is that when some people pay less for something it seems easy to not take as good of care of it as they should or would if they paid more so it doesn't last as long or look as good.

[Dan929CDX]

 I have a 929 and love it, it may not be the quickest boat or the best looking but the fish don't care. I will say that Nitro has become very proud of the new Z series boats and has made some great improvements to stay in the market. The Z-9 is like 50 I think. It is an awesome boat and they are heading in the right direction to rebuild their name as not just a great value but a great boat as well. I think the stigma is like buying great value brand at Wal-Mart. People view Nitro as great value brand boat since they are at Bass Pro. I also believe Nitro will have a tough next few years, the Z-8 thru Z-9 and the CDC are not as good of a value as the 9 series was and the stigma that the brand has, you can buy a Stratos or other boat for about the same price and I love my Nitro but the name Stratos cares more weight to it, right or that is pretty true. Im not bashing Nitro I love mine and really want a Z-9CDC but built the way I want it will be about 60 and I can get a ranger for that.

[Fluobby09]

It looks boat friendly off the dam.  There is a bot launch nearby but that's for boats a little bit larger.

One of the crawlers brings his electric deep Vee and makes a lot of waves.  I'm not sure how nitro friendly the FPD cops would be.

[crawdad18]

I bought my first Nitro and have only had it out a few times since I bought it but man do I love it.   I bought a 2001 911 CDC with a 225 Mercury.  Like they are saying above, they are not the fastest boat but will hold there own.  Tons of storage, which was one of the things that drew mh attention to it plus the Center Cual Console has been my favorite since they came out.  I am sure you will enjoy what ever boat you choice.  Good luck and safe boating.