if u r buyin a used z style boat the first ones that came out had a different type hull than the next generation i think it was a composite and it was not out long but i might do my research on that one if your thinkin bout the first generation z boats

I have a Z8 w/250 Pro XS 109 motorguide 1197 HB, I added backup bilge pump plus a few extras I have 38K plus taxes in it. With a 26 fury empty livewell my self in it I have seen 77 GPS, in tour I run a 25 fury 2 ppl full livewells it will run 70. I couldnt argue about resale I traded my Z7 in one year old boat paid 23,900 they gave me 18K tradein there was a guy waiting on it when I dropped it off to pickup Z8. Partner has a 20ft skeeter we fish in my boat about 80% of the time.

Because there cheap built thats why period end of story.

Most folks on this forum that would respond to a post like this tend to be brand loyal. Personally, I've owned 2 Skeeters, 2 Rangers, and Now a Basscat, and I've considered each brand switch an upgrade. That said, remember, you ain't married to none of em.

I have a 05 CDC with 225 opti. I am very happy with it. My boat before it was a champion but I like the Nitro better. Of course its newer so its not a fair comparrison but I would buy another nitro

What is on other boats that arent on a Z9?

Nitros tend to have smaller, underpowered motors. For example the ones I see will have say a 115 hp instead of a 150 hp or a 62lb thrust trolling motor instead of an 82 lb thrust trolling motor. They have smaller graphs or even no graphs up front. They do what the can to keep the cost down. As for resale Nitros have had a rep for poor quality and customer service. Not trying to start anything but I feel I can say that cause I had a nitro. That boat was a good boat and gave me no problems but there are better options out there. I will say they have come a long way in changing what folks say about them but I do not think they are the same quality of the other boat brands. I remember a few years ago when the Z9 came out KVD had major problems witht the hull and they put a hold on selling the Z9. I have friends at BPS who told me they kept the hull problems quite but this has been since resolved. As with any boat just make sure you get the options you want and check prices.

I bought a '07 898 in April, 2010 and I'm happy as a pig in slop. The value proposition was very compelling. The boat has great storage and fishes very well. The front deck is huge, larger than many in its class. At 20'4" in length, it takes rough water well. This particular boat has an 150 Optimax pushing it, arugably underpowered. But, it tops out at 60 mph, which is plenty fast enough for me. I'm sure there are better boats on the water. Big deal. Maybe they catch more fish than I do because of the boat, but I doubt it. Everyone has an opinion about boats - particularly their own. If I were to spend $40,000 on a boat, I likely would'nt buy a Nitro. But, if I were to spend $15,000 - $20,000, I'd certainly look at one. It's a good value.

Yes you go to a BPS and they have that "Super Pricing" sign up, take a close look at it and you will get a 20ft boat priced with a 150hp engine. Way underpowered. Now go online and check some of the used prices you can get a loaded z-8 for 10K or more less than say a ranger z520 closely matched in rigging. I'm not an idiot, I know that the ranger is "nicer" and has every imaginable this and that, but the question is, "Will the Nitro get the job done?"...Probably. If I were fishing 3-4 days a week and many tournaments in a year the ranger type boat would be worth it to me, but as is, I fish on the weekends and a few T's here and there so why pay the extra $, unless of course you have money to spare.
Also the engine makes all the difference I would have a Niro with X years of warranty left on the engine before I touched a "ranger" with no warranty left.

I'm guessing that they have not been around long enough to prove to buyers like me that they are as reliable as Rangers, Skeeters, Champion etc. With KVD and others out there winning tournaments on them they are selling a lot of them, but the older established boat builders have a reputation of proven reliability on their side. Who knows?

I own a 09 Z8 and I love it, no problems with it and I have put some time in that boat! Super fast, super wide, everything you need!

Ive owned Nitro and Skeeters,never had any issues with my Nitro,it fished just as well as any bassboat Ive been in.

Not exactly true. The base price is with the smallest recommended motor, which if you notice, they almost never have on them out the door. Yeah it's an upgrade, but so are all those cool options we can't seem to do without. When's the last time you bought a bare bones, low end car or truck with zero upgrades? Nitro does have an extensive list of options available on their boats, if you want the dealer to add them for you.

As far as having nothing on them, that's what I wanted. When I finished getting my new boat rigged out, it was exactly what I wanted, not some sales manager's idea of what he wanted for the showroom floor, and I got the best price on all my options too. It took me about a year to get it all, but I price shopped a lot and paid cash as I went.

I bought a new 2006 898 in mid 2007. It was a model year old, new, and untitled from the showroom floor. It was an extra 2500 off the already low price. It had one little inexpensive depth finder on it, which is all I wanted to start with. I shopped and got the best deal on the HB Side Imaging Sonar and other electronics that I wanted. It had cable steering, which I upgraded to SeaStar hydraulic and I added the second console. I didn't like the cheap plastic inserts on the trailer wheels, so I put (5) aluminum wheels on the trailer. It took me a year to get everything done, but I price shopped a lot and got exactly what I wanted.

I love my boat and would definately buy Nitro again.

Hummmmmm Nitro or Skeeter........... Skeeter the craftman ship that Tracker(nitro) puts into their boats is realy crumy. I cant understand why KVD fish's out of one besides geting paid too.

I owned a 2004 19ft nitro,,,, very good looking boat,,,got a ton of compliments...thats about the only good thing i have to say about them....boat road like a dump truck accross the water , got soaked everytime the water got up...boat was slowwwww coming out of the water and slow on top end.....almost everytime i came in from fishing , i had to have somthing repaired....i took a beating getting rid of it..and the knew owner almost sank it because the hull came apart.....to say the least i am not a big fan of the nitro line,,,,,if you buy one , i hope u have a better expirience with it than i did.....because u will have a hard time getting rid of it....i believe what they say about them now,,once a nitro owner,,,ALWAYS a nitro owner!!!!