champs ad nitros are different classes of bass boats. not a good comparison. both are good but different.

The Z8 and Z9 are very good boats and you get exceptional value. You need to check two things among others...is the bilge dry cause it should be and check time to get on pad with two guys, full tank of gas, full live wells and power poles if possible. If bilge is dry, then you don't have any leaks and you got a dry ride. Big knock on Nitros taking forever to plane but once they get on plane they are fast...very fast. TheZ9 has a good comfortable ride...it is a good heavy boat with huge storage and very stable platform. It comes with every bell and whistle you can think of. The 250 Opti is bulletproof and should be all you need. Trailer is not bad...brakes on just one axle though but good hub system. I would buy another Nitro any day and buy lunch to Skeeter owners with the $20000.00 I saved. Stay cautious of the z6 and z7...they are toys.

When and where for lunch?

Forget lunch, I just want to see an apples to apples comparison between a Nitro and a Skeeter and this magic $20,000 difference. I bought a new ZX200 last year and when I built a Nitro with the same features the Skeeter had, the Nitro build sheet was higher than the MAP pricing for the Skeeter.

The aluminum reinforced hull and transom on the Skeeter is worth at least $3k more.

Edit...

I was following a Nitro Z9 for a while and then a Ranger Z521 up I45 yesterday. I was amazed at how much the poles and motors bounced during trailering. Maybe neither had a motormate or transom saver of some kind, but they looked like the transom was no match for the rough highway. I passed them to keep from running over boat parts when they fell off! Haha
My skeeters motor absolutely didn't even wiggle.

Then consider them FREE!

I don�t expect he will come on here to explain this $20k difference. Didn�t realize the nitro price he was referencing was 150 hp and single axle trailer. Or prolly a nitro sales guy in cognito trying to sell boats.

^^^Fact.

I didn't own a z9 but my nitro wasn't bad at all. It was underpowered but a good prop really helped that. Once I got the right prop it made a huge difference in the ride. The fishing decks are huge which is nice. Plenty of storage. Nitros get bashed a lot but they aren't a bad boat.

Reading this makes me laugh... I fish out of a 1994 18ft stratos with a 115 hp merc... the bass don�t seem to mind... all new boats are nice boats!

I bet they mind when your 24yr old live well pump quits working.

Jk.

Sorry guys...I exaggerated! I admit I was wrong by saying $20000. According to Nada Guide the difference is $12,910.00. That is based on 2012 Skeeter 21i and 2012 Nitro Z9 base values. I would rather have a Skeeter without a doubt...no question. I was trying to help "five bites" with his question on Z9's. He wanted feedback on experiences with Nitro Z9 which is what the large majority of my post was about. If you guys want to butt in and discuss something different, I suggest you start a new post. USA - my dinner is prolly getting cold.

Holeshot on z9s >MY 2010 was excellent, course if ur not propped right any boat can suck. U don't have to fill up the 65 gallon tank.

Lots of fuzzy info on here, ur best bet is to take it for a ride.

I just fished two weekends with a buddy that has a Z9. My brother has a Ranger and My dad has a Bass Cat Pantera. I have never been in a Champion so can't compare those, but I would have no issues running a Z9. Wide front deck. Lots of storage. Great ride. If you like it, go for it.