I rode in a Z9 all day with Stacey King. There is honestly nothing major against it. My only critique at all is the fit and finish details not like a Ranger, but not many boats are, that's why Rangers slow.

Coming from a guy who loves his Rangers, the Nitro Z-9 is a great boat. I've been in a few and driven my buddy's boat several times. Take it out on the lake and see what you think.
Food for thought: I have a Nissan Titan with 230,000 miles on it and it doesn't skip a beat. My friend down the street has a Maserati and that sucker is in the shop all of the time.

what year model Maserati? our Maserati one of the most reliable cars we have, wife daily drove it to Dallas work for 3 years and it has over 50k miles. not a single problem over the years and that says a bunch for exotic Italian with a Ferrari 430 engine block and F1 transmission.

to your point better comparison might be Corvette vs. Ferrari, the most value and performance for the dollar is the Corvette by a long ways, but in the end it is still a Corvette and everything that comes with that.

Great riding boat but I know people that have had night mares with customer service.

I've fished from a gew Z9s. They seemed fine, ran well, smooth and priced right. I'd look closer at them if I wasn't concerned about resale value and how much I'd lose on it when it was time for a new boat. My only advice would be to make sure it's a smoking deal.

First and foremost, go test drive one (and make sure it has a 250 on it), you will be impressed. The only opinion that counts is your because you have to write the check. You are going to have people with positive and negative comments...just like any boat. Send text messages and talk to people who have owned one in the past or who have one now, that where you get solid information about it. i have been in many and no complaints. If I didn't get such a good deal on my Z8, I would be in one now. As for customer service, find a place you can trust. Just because BPS sells it does not mean they should be the ones to service it. I live close to BPS and anytime my Nitro needs any type of service I take it to Wichita Falls, Larry's Marine. Yes it is a drive, but they good, honest and still get me back on the water quicker than BPS or any other shop and they are not going to try to BS you with stuff you don't need.

My best friend just bought one and I have been pleasantly surprised. It fishes great, really handles the rough water good. It is a big heavy boat. I still like my 21I better but not sure it is 20K better!!

I've fished from a few Z9s. They seemed fine, ran well, smooth and priced right. I'd look closer at them if I wasn't concerned about resale value and how much I'd lose on it when it was time for a new boat. My only advice would be to make sure it's a smoking deal.

I LOVE My Z-9...
I've got a 2010 State Team Rig...Fully Loaded with All the "Bells / Whistles".
I've been on the "Nitro Fishing Team" for 8 yrs now. I Special Ordered mine!
I was running a older Nitro 19 ft DC w/175, had it for years and Loved it.

My Z-9 is a full 21' w/Pro 250 XS Opti with a 25 Pitch Fury, Bobs Machine Hyd. Jack Plate w/Gauge, Smart Craft Gauges, Fortrex 101... it's a AWESOME Rig!!!
With the Hyd. J/Plate and a 25 Fury...Never run more than 1/2 Tank of Fuel,
Tournament Ready and Loaded to the Hilt with Tackle, it's Awesome outta the Hole! It Suprises everyone I've had in it with its Hole Shot / Speed.
I've rode in Rangers and ALL of the others...Wouldn't have them.
The Z-9 is the Best Rig to own!!!

IF Speed is Your "Thing"...get a Bullit or Allison.
IF Ya want a Awesome "Safe / Comfortable / Reliable" Boat...Get the Z-9 Buddy!
I've had Mine up to 78+ after "Break in" just to see "What" it would do...
I normally run 70 or so with no problem and a Awesome / Comfortable Ride.

IF Ya should have Any Questions...
Feel free to holler at Me.

Where about's do Ya live?
I'm in the S. G/P - S. Arl. area.

Bass wishes,
Nitro Man / Roger

78mph on GPS? I have heard of some Z8s with 250 proXS and some prop work that will do 80 but haven't seen a Z9 run 78. My Z9, with almost the exact same setup was fast at 72 I thought.

come on, we're fisherman. we always catch a 10.0 pounder at Fork, never a 9 something.

I love my Z-9 For the money I think it is the best value out there. I have freely admitted on here before that the fit and finish is not up to Ranger or Skeeter standards but the Ranger equipped the same was 25 K more and the Skeeter was 20 K more. I fished out of a Nitro 190 TF for 17 years and never had an issue. Everything still worked when I traded it in. I have been running this one since 2012 and have not had one problem. It has a great layout and a huge deck and is plenty fast for me. With a full tournament load I can hit 72 on the GPS. The live wells with the oxygenators are great have not lost a single fish so far. As far as the resale value goes I had the last Nitro for 17 years and this one will probably last me until they scatter my ashes on an east Texas lake. At least that's the plan.

Nitros are great rigs and not bashing them at all but go to Fun and Sun and get you a Skeeter Bug for the speed and comfort.

Dude your wife could probably quit her job and have no drive if you would dial back the car choices.