What's Wrong With Nitro?

[BassnChris]

If you choose to buy from BPS, the best time to buy because of incentives is usually January-March. Hope you have a better experience than I did.

 

Thanks.....I will keep that in mind.

 

Chris, if you don't have to buy new, there are always great used deals on 1-2 year old boats, you can steal a boat if you are patient.  

 

and if you can wait that long, Mike, Tom and I all have nitros. Z7,Z8, and Z9, in fact.....so I am sure you can "demo" all 3 at the road trip if you want.

If I can wait.....that would be great.

  

Chris, you should be looking at everything in the barely used dept. You have seen my boat and I only have 25k in it. I looked for two years before I found it. Having cash in your hand also will get you awesome deals from private sellers who need the money.

I know.....cash in hand is always better.

[Nitrofreak]

I think some of the older Nitros were pretty slow to get up on pad also, at least the ones I've ridden in. 

 

I had a '92 Ranger 451V for a couple years, motor never ran right for more than a few hours the entire time I owned the dang thing. I would have traded it for a Nitro that ran in a heartbeat. 

 

If you ride in mine , you will get the same result , of course mine is a 1990 , Nitro well underpowered their vessels for the weight and configuration of hull , mine is a B***H to get on plane with full live wells and a co-angler , but once she is up , she gets it !!

 

Nitro has come a long way since 1988 , while not the innovative leader that Ranger is , it still has made its mark on the boating world and are starting to make even more progress as they go along , I have friends that have every make out there , yes , you do give up some things like the ride , or a decked out bling bling hot rod for example , but not enough that it would sway a decision IMO , my choice would definatly be a Z-9 for sure !!  

[BassnChris]

The Z-8 was a leftover 2011 which was stickered at 33,000 dollars with a 200 hp (underpowered, some would say) Merc, tandem trailer brakes, retractable tie downs, and a ratchet cord custom cover. 

 

For an additional three grand, I could have gotten a 225 horsepower engine, or a 250 horsepower for an additional five grand.  Most of the time I cruise forty to forty-five mph.  The boat gets up on plane quickly.

 

Boat gets on plane quickly.......you usually cruise at 45 mph (so do I )......if you could go back and do it over, would you bump the motor up or still keep the 200 HP ?

[basshole8190]

I had the chance to fish with fishing rhino before thanksgiving in his nitro z8 and i will tell you that is a nice ride and i am seriously considering getting one next year i can't think of one thing i didn't like about it

[basshole8190]

Rhinos boat didn't seem to have any problem getting on plane the day we fished and it took less than 5 seconds.

[Bluebasser86]

Rhinos boat didn't seem to have any problem getting on plane the day we fished and it took less than 5 seconds.

The newer ones don't have a problem getting on plane, but I've been in several older Nitro's (early 2000's-late 1990's) and they were all dogs! Just not balanced out well for planing out but they ran just fine once they got there. I'd love to have a new Nitro, or an old one with a motor that ran well for that matter. 

[Smokinal]

I'll get in on this. I have a 96 Nitro, small one, 16ft with a 75 Merc and absolutely love the boat. This combo has been the most reliable boat I have owned or even been in for that matter. Most of that could be because of maint though. It's garaged and well cared for. I will say that I feel Nitro got a bad rap for a couple of reasons. One, the finish and detail could be a little better, but your going to pay for it...go buy a Ranger. Second, I honestly feel there is a little sour grape syndrome that goes on here. Guys that spend 45-50K on a Ranger or Triton see some chump in a 12K Nitro place higher than him in a tourney, well that's gotta hurt. I can't help but feel some, not all, guys in Rangers and Tritons look down on folks in Nitros, even though it's not the boat that catches fish.

It's like when I go to the 5 stand club with my $600 Lanber and shoot better than guys with $2500 Berettas and Brownings.

And please don't get me wrong. If I were loaded I'd love to own a Ranger as they are fine quality boats. I'm just saying a Nitro is a great boat for the money and will put you in the same spots as anything else.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Those of you that have bought or tried buying a boat from BPS do they adhere to one price or able to negotiate with them?

[Fishing Rhino]

Boat gets on plane quickly.......you usually cruise at 45 mph (so do I )......if you could go back and do it over, would you bump the motor up or still keep the 200 HP ?

 

I would keep the 200 HP engine.  It would cost 5,000 dollars more to get the 250.  That's a lot of money for 50 HP I'd rarely, if ever, use.  I'd rather have that five grand to spend elsewhere.  Electronics, gear, or two or three fishing trips to warmer climates in the winter.  It's not a question of the money.  It's a question of, is it worth it.  For me, the answer is no.

[slonezp]

Those of you that have bought or tried buying a boat from BPS do they adhere to one price or able to negotiate with them?

No negotiations. They will offer incentives like a gift card and/or I think a 15% discount on BPS merchandise for a year. The only way I see at saving money when buying a boat is to build your boat online and note the prices. BPS charges full MSRP for the add ons. There's a good chance you can find those items cheaper online. For example, the 1198 Birds are about $1000 less than MSRP. I just ordered a new Minn Kota  trolling motor for $500 below MSRP, and got my Talon last year for $300 below MSRP. That's a $2800 savings. If you can install those items yourself, you're way ahead of the game. 

[slonezp]

I'll get in on this. I have a 96 Nitro, small one, 16ft with a 75 Merc and absolutely love the boat. This combo has been the most reliable boat I have owned or even been in for that matter. Most of that could be because of maint though. It's garaged and well cared for. I will say that I feel Nitro got a bad rap for a couple of reasons. One, the finish and detail could be a little better, but your going to pay for it...go buy a Ranger. Second, I honestly feel there is a little sour grape syndrome that goes on here. Guys that spend 45-50K on a Ranger or Triton see some chump in a 12K Nitro place higher than him in a tourney, well that's gotta hurt. I can't help but feel some, not all, guys in Rangers and Tritons look down on folks in Nitros, even though it's not the boat that catches fish.

It's like when I go to the 5 stand club with my $600 Lanber and shoot better than guys with $2500 Berettas and Brownings.

And please don't get me wrong. If I were loaded I'd love to own a Ranger as they are fine quality boats. I'm just saying a Nitro is a great boat for the money and will put you in the same spots as anything else.

Don't kid yourself. New Nitro's are right in line with the other boat manufacturers. They are advertised less because they are rigged bare bones. You can easily rig a Z9 to $55k

[BassnChris]

I would keep the 200 HP engine.  It would cost 5,000 dollars more to get the 250.  That's a lot of money for 50 HP I'd rarely, if ever, use.  I'd rather have that five grand to spend elsewhere.  Electronics, gear, or two or three fishing trips to warmer climates in the winter.  It's not a question of the money.  It's a question of, is it worth it.  For me, the answer is no.

 

Gotcha.........I agree with that concept.

 

 

No negotiations. They will offer incentives like a gift card and/or I think a 15% discount on BPS merchandise for a year. The only way I see at saving money when buying a boat is to build your boat online and note the prices. BPS charges full MSRP for the add ons. There's a good chance you can find those items cheaper online. For example, the 1198 Birds are about $1000 less than MSRP. I just ordered a new Minn Kota  trolling motor for $500 below MSRP, and got my Talon last year for $300 below MSRP. That's a $2800 savings. If you can install those items yourself, you're way ahead of the game. 

 

That is what I have found too........I can noticed that by building a boat online....prices give you no break at all......a couple of items are priced comensurate but for the most part you are right on.

 

 

 

thanks guys

Chris

[Fishing Rhino]

The Tracker/Nitro owners card will get you a discount of 20% on the BPS branded merchandise.  It will get you 10% on all other brands.  Not everything qualifies for a discount.  Electronics, no discount, at least not on the upper end stuff.  Shimano products, no discount.  Probably the same for the other top name brand reels and rods. 

 

There is one caveat.  If BPS merchandise is on sale, you get the sale price, or the discount, whichever is lower.  I believe that is a recent change.  I know I've bought sale stuff and gotten the discount on top of that.  Regardless, that is the current state of affairs regarding discounts.

 

It is a sell at the marked price, no haggling.  Not sure how that works if you have a trade in.  They usually have some good deals on leftovers when they have their big Boat Show "sale" in late winter or early spring.  My Z-8 was marked down $4,000.00.  Then you get a thousand dollar BPS gift card, and the Nitro Owners card, which is good for two years.

 

Another way to get some good deals at BPS is when they have the special nights for reward card or preferred customers.  You get double, sometimes triple reward points, another ten percent off your purchases at that time, which does apply to sale items as well.

 

Other than that, BPS prices on baits/lures are no bargains, unless you fish their branded stuff.

[RoLo]

Though I've never owned a Nitro, I'm yet to meet a Nitro owner who's not happy with his investment.

In 2010, Fishing Rhino & myself were both in the market for a new boat. Rhino took the high road and purchased a Nitro,

I took the low road and purchased a Bass Tracker. I've owned several glass & several aluminum boats, and know that

aluminum doesn't have the ride of fiberglass, but Tracker's revolution hull negotiates a sharp chop remarkably well. 

 

The bottom line is their bottom line. Tracker Marine (Nitro/Tracker) enjoys tremendous volume, which allows them to turn a handsome profit

with a narrower profit margin than their competitors. In other words, you'd be real hard pressed to find a better bang-for-the-buck.

 

Roger

[Fishing Rhino]

Though I've never owned a Nitro, I'm yet to meet a Nitro owner who's not happy with his investment.

In 2010, Fishing Rhino & myself were both in the market for a new boat. Rhino took the high road and purchased a Nitro,

I took the low road and purchased a Bass Tracker. I've owned several glass & several aluminum boats, and know that

aluminum doesn't have the ride of fiberglass, but Tracker's revolution hull negotiates a sharp chop remarkably well. 

 

The bottom line is their bottom line. Tracker Marine (Nitro/Tracker) enjoys tremendous volume, which allows them to turn a handsome profit

with a narrower profit margin than their competitors. In other words, you'd be real hard pressed to find a better bang-for-the-buck.

 

Roger

 

Haven't seen you in a while.  How's everything going?  Hope all is well.

 

I remember that "conversation".  I was looking at a Tracker Tournament V18 if I recall correctly.  Its shape was more rounded that the angular trackers, and had a new, softer riding hull.  That was the last year they made the Tournament V18.  They had the Z7, leftover, with a slight hollow in the starboard side near the stern.  It was purely cosmetic, not structural, and with the price being a couple of hundred dollars less than the tracker, it was a no brainer.  The Nitro was bigger, more storage, beefier trailer with brakes.

 

Two years later I traded it for the leftover Z8 that I now have.  I bought the 7 for 19,300 dollars and got 16.000 dollars for a trade in two years later.  The Z8 was marked down from 33,000 to 29,000.  I got a thousand dollar BPS gift card which netted the Z8 to 28,000.  200 HP, retractable tie downs, hydraulic steering, lighted forward compartments, one piece molded cockpit with the forward center storage molded in as well, rather than the plywood in the 7, a ratchet cord cover, a 58 gallon fuel tank, external connector for the battery charger and the rapid planing system hull.  I sprung for it.  It is much more comfortable in a chop than the 7, gets on plane effortlessly. 

 

I liked the 7 I had, but wouldn't want to go back to it.

[tomustang]

I'm not a big guy but I was so cramped in the cockpit of a Z7, it was still a nice boat overall. The 8 on the other hand is very spacious, I'd start there.

[RoLo]

Haven't seen you in a while.  How's everything going?  Hope all is well.

 

I remember that "conversation".  I was looking at a Tracker Tournament V18 if I recall correctly.  Its shape was more rounded that the angular trackers, and had a new, softer riding hull.  That was the last year they made the Tournament V18.  They had the Z7, leftover, with a slight hollow in the starboard side near the stern.  It was purely cosmetic, not structural, and with the price being a couple of hundred dollars less than the tracker, it was a no brainer.  The Nitro was bigger, more storage, beefier trailer with brakes.

 

Two years later I traded it for the leftover Z8 that I now have.  I bought the 7 for 19,300 dollars and got 16.000 dollars for a trade in two years later.  The Z8 was marked down from 33,000 to 29,000.  I got a thousand dollar BPS gift card which netted the Z8 to 28,000.  200 HP, retractable tie downs, hydraulic steering, lighted forward compartments, one piece molded cockpit with the forward center storage molded in as well, rather than the plywood in the 7, a ratchet cord cover, a 58 gallon fuel tank, external connector for the battery charger and the rapid planing system hull.  I sprung for it.  It is much more comfortable in a chop than the 7, gets on plane effortlessly. 

 

I liked the 7 I had, but wouldn't want to go back to it.

 

Your concern is appreciated Rhino; all is well, and I hope the same for you.

 

Please, no more Z8 hyping. You guys are going to cost me a bunch of money

Counting rowboats, my next boat would make my 14th boat.   That's about average, right? 

 

Roger

[FD.]

RoLo in a glass boat.  Say it aint so...

 

I'm on number 8.  14 should be about right.

[RoLo]

RoLo in a glass boat.  Say it aint so...

 

I'm on number 8.  14 should be about right.

 

Actually Lee, I've had 6 glass hulls and 7 aluminum (the next boat would be the 14th).

Not as bad as it sounds, that's only 1 boat every 3.8 years

 

Roger

[flyfisher]

Actually Lee, I've had 6 glass hulls and 7 aluminum (the next one would make 14).

Not as bad as it sounds, that's only 1 boat every 3.8 years

 

Roger

so is that 1 every 3.8 years from birth or from when you acquired your first boat?

 

I am up to 4 kayaks does that count lol 

[RoLo]

so is that 1 every 3.8 years from birth or from when you acquired your first boat?

 

I am up to 4 kayaks does that count lol 

 

My first boat was purchased in 1964 (I was 22).

 

Kayaks certainly do count.

 

My first boat was a 14' alum Starcraft w/ 18 hp Johnson that I took miles into the Atlantic.

In heavy seas the coast guard used to chase me inshore 

 

Roger

[slonezp]

I've got some boat buying to do. 3 in 20 years makes me well below average.

[RoLo]

I've got some boat buying to do. 3 in 20 years makes me well below average.

 

No, that makes you normal 

[cadman]

I had a Bass Tracker boat for 17 years, and never had any issues with it at all.  I would buy another boat from a Nitro/Tracker dealer, not from a BPS store. I went to look for a new boat there and got nothing but excuses and a belligerent salesman. I walked out of there and didn't buy a boat from him. Ended up with a Ranger. But I know a lot of guys that have Nitros and love their boats. I have also driven in a Nitro, and can't say anything negative about them. Everyone buys what they can afford, and hopes that they get a good boat with no problems. That is not always the case. I had issues with my brand new Ranger, but they did take care of the problem. Like stated, you can catch a lot of fish in a rowboat, you don't need an expensive boat.

[cadman]

I've got some boat buying to do. 3 in 20 years makes me well below average.

 

I'm way behind you. This is my second boat in 24 years, I must be missing something.