Nitro Z6

[Scotty58]

Looking to buy a 2013 nitro z6. Just looking to see what people have thought about them. Just goin with 3 options: The 24volt trolling motor upgrade, single axle trailer brake upgrade, and putting a depth finder on the bow. Those are the main things I want so just getting those, trying to save a little money atleast.

[james 14]

Are you completely set on buying new? For the same amount you could get a bigger, faster, higher quality boat that may be only 4-5 years old.

[greendragon]

From what I have seen of the Z boats, they are a great deal for the money. My buddy just bought a Z-7 and I will fishing in it next week and I could give better info then.

[Scotty58]

I would like to buy new. I just think if its possible then its not a bad idea to do so. Then don't have to put up with the last persons problems unless they actually took care of it. Haha im 23 and still live at home with my parents. Just have a girlfriend, no kids or anything like that so figured this would be the best time to buy new if I do.

[Bluebasser86]

Just my opinion from my past experiences with buying a boat, if you can afford to buy new, do it. I've only owned 3 bass boats (starting at age 16 to 27 currently). First was a used Ranger 451V with a 150 Merc. Boat was fine, motor never ran well. I ended up putting as much into the motor as I spent on it before I got frustrated and sold it. Next was a used 15' Cajun. Loved the boat, perfect for most of the smaller bodies of water I fish but still big enough to do bigger lakes weather permitting. Motor ran fine at first but started having problems after a few months. Turned out it had a small leak in the lower unit and the drive shaft was pitted and rusted and just a matter of time before it snapped. To have a new one machined would cost way more than I was willing to put into it. Next boat was a new Lowe Roughneck. Still the boat I have to this day and minus a couple features I wish it had I couldn't be happier. Motor starts every time (knock on wood) and runs great. Minus a couple small repairs (either my fault or the results of the extreme amount of use the boat and motor get) it's been just normal maintenance and upkeep so far. 

Very rarely is someone selling their boat in great running condition. If it was running great and had nothing wrong with it they probably wouldn't be selling it right? I'm sure there is the rare occasion you get a great deal on a nice, good running rig but I've never found one and neither have any of my fishing buddies that have bought used. 

[HookSetDon]

I have a 2008 nitro z6 and love the boat, at the time they were coming with a 90 on it so I upgraded to 115 and upgraded the trolling motor to a 24v unit.

 

with 2 people in the boat loaded with gear I can do 50 mph on gps

[3dees]

I have always bought new. I like the comfort of knowing that a warranty will take care of any expensive repair. I looked at the Z-6 two years ago, and decided it was just too small even though I fish alone most of the time. for about the same price I went with a  Crestliner VT 19 with the 115 Opti. the front deck is like an aircraft carrier and all the storage I need. after many years of glass (Stratos), I was a little worried about going tin, but now in my third season I don't regret decision.

[Felix77]

I think the Z-6 is fine.  Just make sure it's enough boat for the waters you intend to fish.  I assume you know that already.

[tomustang]

Too small for my needs. Just make sure it's big enough for you and whatever gear you use and big enough for the water you are going to run it on.

[TrapperJ]

when i was looking i had a couple of people say the Z6 you will outgrow fast. save for a Z7 or go a different route.

 

I agree on used stuff while you can save money just be smart and picky and get it inspected, you just never know what type of other peoples problems you have inherited. 

[BrianinMD]

Just make sure to verify if the motor is close to the max HP for the size boat. Tracker marine seems to like advertising low prices but with a motor well under the max which is not advised. You will grow to hate that rather quickly.

[james 14]

There's nothing wrong with buying new if you can afford it...I was just asking.

 

One thing I would consider is not going with the brake upgrade and getting hydraulic steering and/or a hot foot instead. I don't use my trailer brakes and I have a tandem axle trailer with a 21ft boat. The 24v TM upgrade is a necessity IMO so good thinking there.

 

Like others have said. Make sure it's big enough or that you at least understand how big it is and it's limitations in storage, fishability and handling of rough water. The 7' rod locker would leave half of my arsenal out on the deck...but I've gotten to where I rarely use my rod locker anymore.

[Fishing Rhino]

I'll take the opposite side of the coin.  I wouldn't go without trailer brakes.  I had a Z-7 and needed to put a brake lockout pin in when backing down on soft sand/gravel ramps.  Believe me, if I forgot to pull the lockout pin after loading and heading home, I knew it instantly the first time I used the brakes.  Trailer brakes save a lot of wear on your vehicle's brakes, not to mention shortening the stopping distance.

[Scotty58]

Thanks for all the replies guys! well I live in west central Illinois. The biggest lakes I really plan to fish are around 4500 acres. I wouldn't mind visiting Lake Shelbyville which is 11,000. but we have a few smaller ones closer to my town that are no bigger than 500 acres which I would probably visit more often. But I plan to eventually join a bass club such as in Springfield, Illinois or Jacksonville if anyone from Illinois knows those clubs. So I definently want to make sure the z6 is capable of doing that. At first I really wanted the Z7. I think it is the all around perfect size but that extra cost would kill me. I just figure this is going to be my first boat that I've ever owned so I don't want to get too crazy. My dad owned a 90s model nitro a few years back and he agrees with the idea of starting out slow.

[rippin-lips]

I don't know the main differences between the z6 and z7 besides length but I fished a 2013 z7 for 9 days and it was a great boat. Ran good,felt smooth,plenty of storage,roomy. It was 28,900 out the door though. That's a lot of money.

[Sam]

Everyone's post is very interesting.

 

One option that I did not see was the boat's length.

 

Remember, the longer the boat the harder it is to maneuver.

 

The longer the boat the safer it is supposed to be in rough water.

 

Which ever is more important to you and the boat's features are what you need to consider.

 

Let us know what you get and how you like it.

 

P.S. My first house cost $35,000 back in the 70's.  The Legend Alpha 191, my dream boat, costs more today than my first three bedroom- two bath house in Whitemarsh Township, Penna.

[Scotty58]

Yeah I really think safer in rough water is more important to me. But I don't plan on being out in storming conditions as of right now. If I get in a bass club and wind picks up then I guess ill cross that bridge when I get to it. I have no problem getting off the water if I feel like it is not safe for me to be on it. Im just so anxious to get one and get on the water. I think I am going to go with the z6. The white/black/silver(I think theres a little silver in it) paint job

[slonezp]

A few things to consider since you've decided on a Nitro. If you can wait until after the first of the year, you will get a much better deal on the previous years Z6, and may be able to get a previous years Z7 close to the price you are looking at now. If you're buying from BPS, they have better incentives if the purchase is made between Jan. 1 and Apr.1. Also, motor mfgs give better incentives before Apr.1. Mercury normally adds 2 years onto the warranty for free.

[Fishing Rhino]

A few things to consider since you've decided on a Nitro. If you can wait until after the first of the year, you will get a much better deal on the previous years Z6, and may be able to get a previous years Z7 close to the price you are looking at now. If you're buying from BPS, they have better incentives if the purchase is made between Jan. 1 and Apr.1. Also, motor mfgs give better incentives before Apr.1. Mercury normally adds 2 years onto the warranty for free.

 

I agree.  I bought both of my Nitros as leftovers.  Bought both in April (the 7 in 2010 and the 8 in 2012).  The 2009 Z-7 had a "sticker" price of over 23,000, and I got it for 19,500.  I got the 2011 Z-8 last year marked down 4000 dollars from 33,000 to 29,000 and got a thousand dollar BPS gift card to boot.  That was like getting the boat for 28,000 with no card.  The only options that came with the 8 were retractable tie downs, trailer brakes on both axles, and a Nitro ratchet cord boat cover.

[Scotty58]

OK so im back. I work for an HVAC company and recently we just started doing maintenance checks on peoples ACs. Went to one house and a guy showed me his brand new Ranger RT178 aluminum bass boat. I fell in love. Anybody else have one of these? Ive compared them to bass trackers and on the websites, Ranger has a ton more options that you can do to the boat. Tracker only has two things you can change on their website. Ranger has the recessed TM foot pedal and a little more storage. It just looks like a great boat. Ive also kind of checked out the Ranger Z117 on the internet. Anyone own one of these? Im wanting on a email back from a local ranger dealer with a price quote with the three basic upgrades I want. Thanks guys!

[Scotty58]

Ok so I just put down my deposit and ordered a new Z6 yesterday. Cant wait for it to get here!. Came to find out that nitro had stopped making the 2013s and started making the 2014s so I had to pay 1000 more and will be getting a 2014. Upgraded the trolling motor to 24volt, put a keelguard on, and upgraded both the bow and console depth find to Lowrance Elite 5x DSI depth finders.

[martintheduck]

Ok so I just put down my deposit and ordered a new Z6 yesterday. Cant wait for it to get here!. Came to find out that nitro had stopped making the 2013s and started making the 2014s so I had to pay 1000 more and will be getting a 2014. Upgraded the trolling motor to 24volt, put a keelguard on, and upgraded both the bow and console depth find to Lowrance Elite 5x DSI depth finders.

 

Well thats pretty swift there bud. Congrats! Pics when you get it.