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Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
#11213760
11/09/15 03:21 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 26
luke18one
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 26 |
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.
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
[Re: luke18one]
#11213815
11/09/15 03:47 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 688
NITRO Z8
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 688 |
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.
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
[Re: luke18one]
#11214284
11/09/15 12:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,210
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,210 |
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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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 26
luke18one
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 26 |
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.
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
[Re: luke18one]
#11214804
11/09/15 05:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,210
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,210 |
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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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 38,586
Frank the Tank
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 38,586 |
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
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
[Re: Frank the Tank]
#11216351
11/10/15 03:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,235
Jimfishes
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,235 |
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.
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
[Re: luke18one]
#11216445
11/10/15 03:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957
Bob Landry
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957 |
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.
2015 Seaark 1872 MV CC Etec-90 Two Helix 12 CHIRP SI's, , MinnKota Riptide ST80/i-pilot Link, Bob's Hydraulic 2020 Robalo R200 CC, Yamaha 150
Bitter Gun Owner Bitter Clinger Armed Infidel
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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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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 286
NTX Fisherman
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 286 |
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.
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
[Re: luke18one]
#11216621
11/10/15 05:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 342
Garvin
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 342 |
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.
Just ONCE I'd like for someone to call me "Sir" without adding, "please stop making a scene.""The problem with quotes on the internet is having to ascertain whether or not they are genuine." -- Abraham Lincoln
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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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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,235
Jimfishes
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,235 |
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.
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Re: Nitro Boats, what's in a name???
[Re: luke18one]
#11217770
11/11/15 04:22 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,593
txmasterpo
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,593 |
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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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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,593
txmasterpo
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11,593 |
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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