Boats Review
Traveling with the Nitro Z18 Is a Good Choice!
Nitro Z18 Review
Price: from $39,995
Type: Bass Boat
Weight: 1700 pounds (average dry weight)
Carrying capacity: 4 persons
What we like about it: The fiberglass hull material is more stable to drive.
What we didn’t like about it: The maximum capacity of only 4 people makes it difficult to accommodate events with larger numbers.
Rating (4.8/5)
As America’s best-selling fiberglass bass boat, the Nitro Z18’s superior performance attracts a lot of attention. The spacious bow deck gives plenty of room for fishing, plus the maximum horsepower of 175HP supports the boat to start accelerating faster.
Of course, the fiberglass hull material will be more stable and quieter during sailing.
If you happen to be looking for a superior performing bass boat, perhaps you can opt for a little more information.
Below I will start with the The Nitro Z18, and briefly describe it from several perspectives, including driving experience, fishing experience, and specification details.
Driving Experience
With prime bass fishing season fast approaching, I met up with Jack and headed to Lake Michigan, which has an abundance of fish and is also a very popular place to fish. I found the bass boat Nitro Z18, which had endured a winter, from my family’s small yard on a loaded trailer covered in mooring.
We set up a trip on a nice day, met at my house and drove straight to the lake, with our boat in the back of the car of course. This Nitro Z18 is my favorite boat. I was attracted to it at first sight when I purchased it, and the excellent performance made me hard to choose another boat.
Once the boat was launched, I rightfully sat in the cockpit, ready to give my good friend Jack a good feel for the boat. The soft leather seats were not only very comfortable for me to sit on, but visually they felt even more upscale.
I put my cell phone on the RAM® X-Grip® phone holder under the console. With the socket right next to it to power up my low battery cell phone, Jack took the seat next to me, and I started the engine.
Priming Effect
The boat quickly picked up speed and headed for the other side of the road with plenty of horsepower to spare. Perhaps the impact of the speed was too much for Jack and I saw him grabbing the handle next to the seat to keep his balance.
With the water in front of me, I was ready to turn the steering wheel, and with the tilt-hydraulic steering setup, I felt the steering was very smooth. The Vee Three® multifunction gauges on the console are one of the highlights of the boat, and I could easily sense the boat’s speed, fuel balance, and voltage parameters, making it easier to steer.
There’s plenty of room under the console for my legs, and the footrests with non-slip pads were well arranged.
Fishing Experience
Driving the boat around the area where the fish were located, I switched to using a trolling motor on the bow to move the boat slowly. This recessed foot-operated motor is not only very easy to maneuver, but also doesn’t take up too much space when not in use.
Bass like to feed on meat due to their aggressive nature, so we chose live minnows as bait. The ever-swimming minnow is very tempting to the bass, and soon there were bass on the hook. However, the first fish I caught was too small. Still, I put it back from the water for the sake of the sustainability of this area.
We did get lucky today and didn’t have to wait too long for another fish to be hooked. Freshly caught bass were taken off my hooks and transferred to the live well inside the stern of the boat. This design with dividers makes it easy to count my and Jack’s trophies separately. This was a great way to race.
Specification
The Nitro Z18 is a performance bass boat that shines in every way.
First of all, in the cockpit setup, the seats filled with high-density material are very comfortable to ride on, and the removable acrylic windshield protects the skipper and passengers to a considerable extent.
There is also a Vee Three® multi-function instrument panel with fuel gauge, tachometer, voltmeter and water pressure gauge clearly distributed on the console, so that the captain can be easily informed of the boat’s parameters. Taking into account the needs of night boating, the instrument panel is equipped with a light regulator, so that the data can be smoothly observed even at night.
Secondly, in terms of fishing functionality this boat strives to be perfect. The 30 gallon live well in the stern has plenty of capacity to keep your trophies fresh, and the 70 pound trolling motor is controlled by foot pedals, making it very easy to maneuver the boat without bending over.
Finally, the ship is well thought out in terms of details. Each seat has a handle next to it, which is good for passengers to keep their balance when the ship is bumpy. The six drink holders in the cabin are very convenient for taking drinks, and the arrangement of coolers under the deck steps can provide ice-cold drinks even in the hot summer, very attractive to the people who go out for a trip.
Other Version
If you’re not satisfied with the performance of the Nitro Z18 and want a more specialized boat, you might want to take a look at the Nitro Z18 PRO, in the same series as the Nitro Z18, when you get a chance.
The Nitro Z18 PRO expands on the features of the Nitro Z18, with upgrades to some of the equipment.
The Nitro Z18 is essentially identical in hull construction and layout compared to the Nitro Z18 PRO. The Pro version of the boat is equipped with a Bow Lowrance® Elite FS® 7 gimbaled fishfinder with side and downward scanning digital sonar and GPS to enhance the boat’s performance.
The trolling motor has also been upgraded with a Lowrance® Ghost® 24V, 47″ (1.19 m) shaft trolling motor for a more professional fit and finish.
What do we like about it
- The aft 30 gallon live well not only has plenty of capacity, but also carries a divider and timer for added utility.
- The multifunctional instrument panel is sufficient to help the captain understand the vessel’s various driving parameters.
- Underneath the console the RAM® X-Grip® cell phone holder provides a suitable perch for the cell phone on the go.
- The maximum horsepower of 175HP guarantees the speed of the boat and the boat starts up faster.
- Vessels are able to travel longer distances and miles supported by 40gallon fuel capacity.
What don’t we like about it
- The boat only carries a maximum of four people on board, making it less suitable for larger trips.
- Outstanding performance comes with a starting price of close to $40,000, making it difficult to be accepted by all.
FAQ
1. Why are bass boats sparkly?
The glistening surface on a bass boat is mainly due to the presence of tiny metal or glitter particles in the paint. The glowing effect is not only decorative, but also attracts fish closer by the reflection of the water surface that it creates, which in turn makes it easier to catch them.
2. Are bass tracker boats all aluminum?
Aluminum bass fishing boats are in the majority, and aluminum boats have the advantage of being lightweight, highly durable, and efficient in fuel utilization. But bass fishing boats are not only made of aluminum, there are some that use fiberglass as a material.
Generally fiberglass boats weigh more and are smoother when driving, but these boats are more expensive.
3. Can you put a trolling motor on a bass boat?
Trolling motors have become almost standard on bass boats due to the special nature of catching bass, and they are generally not powerful enough, only within travel short distances.
With electric power the boat will approach the fish with a silent effect without disturbing them.
Nitro Z18 Specs
Standard
| Length | 18′ 8” |
| Beam | 7′ 10” |
| Bottom Width | 6′ 3” |
| Max. Recommended HP | 175 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 gal. |
| Max. Person Capacity | 4 persons |
| Max. Person Weight | 550 lbs. |
| Max. Person, Motor & Gear Weight | 1350 lbs. |
| Interior Depth | 18.5” |
| Transom Height | 22.5” |
| Deadrise | 16 degrees |
| Draft | 15” |
| Average Dry Weight | 1700 lbs. |
| Average Package Weight | 3200 lbs. |
| Package Height | 6′ 4” |
| Package Width | 8′ 6” |
| Towing Length | 24′ 1” |
| Storage Length | 21′ 3” |
Options
| Mercury® Pro XS® | USD |
| 150 L Pro XS® FourStroke | $39,995 |
| 175 L Pro XS® FourStroke | $42,095 |
Video
Comparison Table
| Shipbuilding | Deck (of a boat etc) | Maximum Horsepowerlimit | Maximum capacity limit |
| Ranger Z185 | Overall length 18′ 8” | 150 HP | 4 persons |
| Skeeter ZX200 | Overall length 19’6″ | 200 HP | 4 persons |
| Triton 18 TRX | Overall length 18′ 8” | 200 HP | 600 lbs |
Ranger Z185 vs Nitro Z18
Ranger Z185 and Nitro Z18 have a large degree of similarity, both in terms of boat size, capacity, and the maximum horsepower of the engine various parameters are almost identical. But undeniably, there are still some differences.
On the one hand, the Ranger Z185 has a smaller boat weight and a slightly smaller fuel capacity of 33 gallons. Generally speaking, boats that weigh less will also consume less fuel, which is probably due to the smaller capacity tank. Of course, this will also have an unavoidable impact on the boat’s range.
On the other hand, the Ranger Z185 has an interior depth of 20 inches, a bit deeper than the other boat’s 18.5 inches. This design results in more spacious below-deck storage. It is very friendly for people with more personal belongings.
Skeeter ZX200 vs Nitro Z18
The Skeeter ZX200 is a boat that reaches the professional level and can even head straight to the championship circuit. The boat’s personalized color scheme and unparalleled performance attracts a lot of attention.
Compared to the Nitro Z18, the Skeeter ZX200 is larger in size, with more than 19 feet of deck space. Also, the Skeeter ZX200 is equipped with Pro Trim’s Hot Foot Throttle under the console, which allows the skipper to control the throttle from his feet, taking some of the pressure off his hands.
One thing in common is that both boats are equipped with a cooler, providing a chill experience for the passengers. However, there are some minor differences in the location of the coolers. The coolers in the middle of the driver and passenger seats of the Skeeter ZX200 are relatively closer to the seats, which makes it easier to reach them.
One of the more advanced designs of the Skeeter ZX200 is the 2 bicycle seats with motorized lifting bases, which are used to function as fishing chairs. With the motorized design, the seats can be adjusted with less effort and more freedom.
Triton 18 TRX vs Nitro Z18
If you have a greater need for storage space while out on the water, then this Triton 18 TRX is a great choice.
The Triton 18 TRX, the second largest boat in the series, has a super-stable beam of 94 inches. This ultra-high beam creates a huge deck for the boat, and accordingly brings plenty of storage space underneath the deck for your various specialized fishing equipment as well as life-saving equipment.
On top of that, the 200HP maximum horsepower guarantees the speed of the Triton 18 TRX, which is perfect for thrill seekers.
Of course, this superior performance leads to an inflated price tag, with the base price of the Triton 18 TRX already standing at a whopping $48,995.
If you don’t like any of the boats we’ve described above, please feel free to contact us for more information about our boats.
Summary
The Nitro Z18’s excellent performance and complete equipment are fundamental to its popularity, and the fiberglass hull adds to the boat’s appeal by making it comfortable and quiet enough to sail.
The brand premium is reflected in the asking price, which is close to $40,000 for those on a limited budget, and you may have to pay more for other equipment.
If you focus on the cost-effectiveness of the boat when shopping, then you may want to take a look at our NeoBoats, similar functional layout, with an absolute advantage in price. Hopefully it can meet your psychological expectations.
