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Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? #11213760 11/09/15 03:21 AM
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luke18one Offline OP
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I'm looking for some honest feedback and opinions. I currently fish out of an nice aluminum boat but want to upgrade to glass. I have looked through TFF and Craigslist for months and see mostly Skeeters and Rangers but they are pricey especially for used boats. I have seen all of the videos on hull design and patents but is there that much difference? Will the nitro's just not hold up? is it the ride that sucks? The transom? What is is about the Nitro name that keeps it our of the the Ranger/Skeeter/Phoenix realm. Thanks for the input.


Always pray, and never lose heart. Luke 18:1

I am passionate about 2 things, bass fishing and bass fishing.
Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11213815 11/09/15 03:47 AM
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NITRO Z8 Offline
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I had a nitro 884 from 98 to 2012 and had really no problems as to speak other than usual mechanical. I have a few friends that have nitro's and they are behind them all the way. I think the reason so many people didn't like them is due to the finishing in area's and they were cheap on a lot of latches and carpet. But if you took care of them they were as good as any boat out there, I cleaned mine every time I came off the lake and it was kept in the garage. Nitro has come up a bunch in the last few years and yes I have another nitro now and it's kept in the garage also and cleaned every time I come off the lake. I have it serviced every year also and the more you look around the more nitro's you see on lakes. Like I said they have come up in the last few years and I really think it depends on how much you want to put into a boat. Then think how much you want to add like electronics and so on and on. Sorry about being so long about nitro's but they have come a long way. Find a nitro dealer that will let you test drive one and see for your self before you make your mind up. Good luck.

Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11214284 11/09/15 12:42 PM
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Pat Goff Online Content
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There's a lot of things that go into an opinion, being a boat snob is a big part of it.

What really hurts nitro the most are the under powered packages they advertise, which like any other under powered hull, will result in less than expected results.

Also know what's what and how they are built, the 900 boats will be your higher end made hull, no plywood. The 800 and lower boats will be plywood floors and transoms.

There's worst built boats for sure, Tidecraft, VIP, etc, and there's better built, like Bass Cat and Allisons, there's better rides, like a champion, there's worse, like a ranger. It's all opinion.

ANY used boat regardless of brand should be carefully inspected, they all break, and they all can be abused and neglected or not, it's all up to the buyer to know. A hundred bucks for a skilled inspection is always a bargain.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: Pat Goff] #11214778 11/09/15 05:09 PM
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luke18one Offline OP
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Pat, you just pay a boat mechanic for that kind of inspection?


Always pray, and never lose heart. Luke 18:1

I am passionate about 2 things, bass fishing and bass fishing.
Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11214804 11/09/15 05:15 PM
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Pat Goff Online Content
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Sure, there's a couple of guys here that will do inspections.
Just ask.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: Pat Goff] #11215983 11/10/15 05:33 AM
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Frank the Tank Online Content
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Originally Posted By: Pat Goff
There's a lot of things that go into an opinion, being a boat snob is a big part of it.

What really hurts nitro the most are the under powered packages they advertise, which like any other under powered hull, will result in less than expected results.

Also know what's what and how they are built, the 900 boats will be your higher end made hull, no plywood. The 800 and lower boats will be plywood floors and transoms.

There's worst built boats for sure, Tidecraft, VIP, etc, and there's better built, like Bass Cat and Allisons, there's better rides, like a champion, there's worse, like a ranger. It's all opinion.

ANY used boat regardless of brand should be carefully inspected, they all break, and they all can be abused and neglected or not, it's all up to the buyer to know. A hundred bucks for a skilled inspection is always a bargain.



Listen to every word this man says, there aren't many more knowledgeable than him. If I am not mistaken, Nitro only warranties their hull for the first buyer. Once the 2nd buyer, buys a used Nitro, the hull warranty is null and void. IMO it's a really cowardly thing on Nitros part, and speaks to their confidence in their boat. Again, just MO.


Jesus loves all of us
Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: Frank the Tank] #11216351 11/10/15 03:12 PM
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Jimfishes Offline
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The original owner has a lifetime hull and stringer warranty. The warranty can be transferred within the first 5 yrs for a $100 transfer fee. The second owner gets 10 yrs warranty from date of original purchase. So if the original owner sells the boat after 5 yrs, then the second owner would have no warranty.

Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11216445 11/10/15 03:52 PM
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Bob Landry Offline
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Buying from an original owner does not buy you much either. It only takes one owner to tear one up and wear out a motor.


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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11216513 11/10/15 04:32 PM
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NTX Fisherman Offline
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The derision for Nitro boats is unjustified. I think it's mostly just an ego thing.

I own a Z-7 and it has been a great boat. No problems whatsoever with it, and I fish pretty hard 1-2 times per week. With a 150 Pro XS the hole shot is very quick and it tops out at 60 mph on GPS. I've driven it in 25 mph winds on Ray Bob a few times and it was fine. The number of additional fish I would have caught out of a Ranger, a Skeeter, a Basscat, a Phoenix, etc. = 0.

Things that will eventually break on a boat are the outboard, the trolling motor, the power poles, the graphs, etc. But those things are the same across all boat brands.

Guys bring up resale value. My take on it is: of course a Ranger that was bought for 10k-20k more than a Nitro will re-sell for 10k-20k more than the Nitro. It's a wash. (Fully loaded Nitro z21 = $65k, fully loaded Ranger 521c = $85k.) And I just don't think the "better quality" of a Ranger justifies it for people who are on a budget. Can you write an 80k check without hurting financially? Then sure, buy the Ranger.

Find a boat that is the size and in the price range that suits you best. Make sure the outboard is good to go. Don't worry about what brand the boat is, because all of them are good.

Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11216621 11/10/15 05:50 PM
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Garvin Offline
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I went from a 14 ft. Tracker Grizzly aluminum to a Nitro 882. I have no basis of comparison, but I love fishing out of my Nitro. I have to say, though, it is grossly underpowered as the previous owner bought the package with a 115 Merc on the back. The boat is rated for 175, and I would have at least had them put a 150 on it, minimum. I can still do around 48 in good conditions, but I also need a hydrofoil to pop up on plane fast.


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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: Bob Landry] #11217619 11/11/15 02:42 AM
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Jimfishes Offline
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Originally Posted By: Bob Landry
Buying from an original owner does not buy you much either. It only takes one owner to tear one up and wear out a motor.


This statement applies to everything....trucks, boats, etc.

Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11217770 11/11/15 04:22 AM
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name??? [Re: luke18one] #11217772 11/11/15 04:24 AM
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txmasterpo Offline
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18 years old.....I've updated trolling motor, electronics, steering, that's it.....original switches, pumps, carpet, seats..... I think it's how you take care of your stuff...


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