Nitro Z7

[rowyourboat]

looking at gettin a new nitro z7 with a mercury 150.

thoughts????

[Fishing Rhino]

I have one. I like it. While it is not a Ranger, or Bass Cat or whatever, it doesn't carry the price of them either.

I've seen 58.2 mph on the GPS with a full tank of fuel and two of us on board.  Most of the time I cruise at 40 - 45.

Plenty of storage, stable, and comfortable.

The important thing is to know your limits, and the limits of your vessel. Do not exceed either.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

I have one. I like it. While it is not a Ranger, or Bass Cat or whatever, it doesn't carry the price of them either.

I've seen 58.2 mph on the GPS with a full tank of fuel and two of us on board. Most of the time I cruise at 40 - 45.

Plenty of storage, stable, and comfortable.

The important thing is to know your limits, and the limits of your vessel. Do not exceed either.

x2.....I have a Nitro that has roughly the same specs but an older model w/ a 90 on it. It has been a very good dependable boat and the only trouble i ever have is on lake wind advisory days(which i have no business in anyway) the boat does get blown around a bit.

[SDoolittle]

Rowyourboat, I think you'll be happy with the Z7. I have a 2008 Z6 which is basically the same thing as the Z7 only smaller (17'9") and it suits me just fine around here. It is a very stable and smooth riding boat for it's size. I did get caught in some sudden, strong winds when I was living in Texas, and that made getting back to the ramp a little more exciting. But on these smaller West Virginia lakes, I don't have any worries. I also don't feel any need for a bigger boat. If WV is where you do most of your fishing, the Z7 should be just about perfect.

[rowyourboat]

thanks guys. i just graduated college about a year ago and this is my first "big purchase" so im a little nervous i guess you could say. but listening to this eases my mind a little haha

[Pa Angler]

It's too small for some of my waters. It just wouldn't feel safe in some of the wind conditions we get on the larger lakes.

Why? I was running a 17' Tracker Targa Deep V on Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River in rough water the Z-7 is a bigger boat should be no problem keep in mind I wasn't out in 6' waves I wouldn't take a 21' bass boat out in 6' waves. You need to know the limits of your vessel. Plenty big for the for mentioned waters.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[Carrington]

the z-7 is a great boat, put the biggest engine you can put on it, i want to say thats a 200hp but i may be wrong.

[CAdeltaLipRipper]

if its powered by an OPTIMAX you should be able to go anywhere in the world no problem  ;D

[Fishing Rhino]

They dropped the max hp rating to 150 for this year's model. 

[Carrington]

They dropped the max hp rating to 150 for this year's model.

Thats dumb, they should strengthen then transom so you can atleast put a 175 on the thing.  I would love to get my hands on a z8 with a 250, i believe thats the fastest tourny boat that nitro makes.

[Pa Angler]

Tracker Marine dropped the rating as to push buyers to the Z-8 the Z-7 can handle 200hp. Any Z-7 delivered before Jan. 2011 still has the 200hp rating on the plate so you can do a repower if you want any Z-7 as of Jan. 1, 2011 will have the 150hp rating on the plate I received my Z-7 just before Christmas mine has the 200hp raring. Nitro won't factory install 200hp on the Z-7.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[Tin]

It's too small for some of my waters. It just wouldn't feel safe in some of the wind conditions we get on the larger lakes.

Why? I was running a 17' Tracker Targa Deep V on Lake Ontario rough water

That boat on Ontario is more dangerous than the 21' in 6 footers, imo.

I wouldn't take a 21' bass boat out in 6' waves. You need to know the limits of your vessel.

There is no issue with it as long as you take it slow and know how to drive.

[Fishing Rhino]

Actually, unless I'm visualizing the wrong boat, your Targa deep V would be preferable to a bass boat in rough water. The deep V will give a softer ride, and it has more freeboard than a bass boat.

It's also lighter and more buoyant. That combination of things makes it less likely that you'd take water over the sides or the bow.

Bass boats are not designed for open water and rough conditions, though some may dispute that assertion.

A bass boat is basically a fast raft (fishing platform) with a lot of storage.

[Tin]

I agree on the V-hull but on Ontario I don't care what kind of hull it is a 17' boat is a death wish. I have seen that place go from a light chop in the morning to 5-7 feet in the morning. The largest waves I have ever seen where there, they canceled a tourney due to 8-10'.

[Pa Angler]

It's too small for some of my waters. It just wouldn't feel safe in some of the wind conditions we get on the larger lakes.

Why? I was running a 17' Tracker Targa Deep V on Lake Ontario rough water

That boat on Ontario is more dangerous than the 21' in 6 footers, imo.

I wouldn't take a 21' bass boat out in 6' waves. You need to know the limits of your vessel.

There is no issue with it as long as you take it slow and know how to drive.

A 21' Bass boat in 6' waves is MORE risky than the water I was running with my 17' I did say roug water not 6' waves you won't get me to believe that your running in 6' waves slow or fast on a normal basis. I know what a 17' Deep V can do and what it can't do a 21' Bass boat has no business in water with 6' waves. Deep V's are more suited for open big water that a Bass hull.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[Md]

I know what a 17' Deep V can do and what it can't do a 21' Bass boat has no business in water with 6' waves.

I've been out on the lake and the river(St. Lawrence) in 6 footers. Sometimes you don't have a choice when you run 30 miles and a big storm rolls in. I'd take my 21' Skeeter with a 4 blade prop over an aluminum deep v any day. I just take my time and climb over every wave. Believe me, it's not fun and it eats up a ton of fuel, but it sure beats the alternative.

[Tin]

It's too small for some of my waters. It just wouldn't feel safe in some of the wind conditions we get on the larger lakes.

Why? I was running a 17' Tracker Targa Deep V on Lake Ontario rough water

That boat on Ontario is more dangerous than the 21' in 6 footers, imo.

I wouldn't take a 21' bass boat out in 6' waves. You need to know the limits of your vessel.

There is no issue with it as long as you take it slow and know how to drive.

A 21' Bass boat in 6' waves is MORE risky than the water I was running with my 17' I did say roug water not 6' waves you won't get me to believe that your running in 6' waves slow or fast on a normal basis. I know what a 17' Deep V can do and what it can't do a 21' Bass boat has no business in water with 6' waves. Deep V's are more suited for open big water that a Bass hull.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

If you roll with the waves there is no issue or worry.

[mr.mallard]

honestly id wait buy and good used boat from craigslist. (be patient and dont settle)and nvest the rest in retirement...

[Pa Angler]

It's too small for some of my waters. It just wouldn't feel safe in some of the wind conditions we get on the larger lakes.

Why? I was running a 17' Tracker Targa Deep V on Lake Ontario rough water

That boat on Ontario is more dangerous than the 21' in 6 footers, imo.

I wouldn't take a 21' bass boat out in 6' waves. You need to know the limits of your vessel.

There is no issue with it as long as you take it slow and know how to drive.

A 21' Bass boat in 6' waves is MORE risky than the water I was running with my 17' I did say roug water not 6' waves you won't get me to believe that your running in 6' waves slow or fast on a normal basis. I know what a 17' Deep V can do and what it can't do a 21' Bass boat has no business in water with 6' waves. Deep V's are more suited for open big water that a Bass hull.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

If you roll with the waves there is no issue or worry.

It's not like I never got caught up in a sudden storm I have run into waves that were 5' to 6' waves but the fact is Deep V (Walleye boats) are built for the big water Bass boats are not.

Here's another fact It's easier to submarine a Bass boat with it's low profile into a large wave than a Deep V (Walleye boat) If I layed on my bow I couldn't reach the water that's how much freeboard there was you don't have that kind pf protection with a Bass boat. I met an angler who's 19'-6" Bass boat got swamped on Lake Erie no one is going to convince me that a Bass boat is better than a Deep V for big water.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[Pa Angler]

I know what a 17' Deep V can do and what it can't do a 21' Bass boat has no business in water with 6' waves.

I've been out on the lake and the river(St. Lawrence) in 6 footers. Sometimes you don't have a choice when you run 30 miles and a big storm rolls in. I'd take my 21' Skeeter with a 4 blade prop over an aluminum deep v any day. I just take my time and climb over every wave. Believe me, it's not fun and it eats up a ton of fuel, but it sure beats the alternative.

Did you ever own a deep V? Wonder why Al Linder uses deep V's rather than a Bass rig on the great Lakes.... Let me guess a more stable platform for such.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[Under the Radar]

There are OLD Captains and there are BOLD Captains.

But you're not gonna find too many OLD BOLD Captains.

Capt. H. N. "Nick" Ochs Ret.

[Md]

I know what a 17' Deep V can do and what it can't do a 21' Bass boat has no business in water with 6' waves.

I've been out on the lake and the river(St. Lawrence) in 6 footers. Sometimes you don't have a choice when you run 30 miles and a big storm rolls in. I'd take my 21' Skeeter with a 4 blade prop over an aluminum deep v any day. I just take my time and climb over every wave. Believe me, it's not fun and it eats up a ton of fuel, but it sure beats the alternative.

Did you ever own a deep V? Wonder why Al Linder uses deep V's rather than a Bass rig on the great Lakes.... Let me guess a more stable platform for such.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

No, I have not and I'm not trying to argue with you. Mr. Linder's deep v's also didn't run 70+ on calm days. Sometimes I need to make milk runs and hit as many places as possible during a tournament day. A 21' bass boat is very versatile and I was just stating a fact that I have been out in 6 footers on Ontario and not had problems...but my boat is also set up for it(4 blade prop, 54 inch tm shaft, extra bilge, etc). Truth be told, if I fished the Great Lakes exclusively, I would opt for a 21' FIBERGLASS walleye boat. They really handle big water.

[Pa Angler]

I know what a 17' Deep V can do and what it can't do a 21' Bass boat has no business in water with 6' waves.

I've been out on the lake and the river(St. Lawrence) in 6 footers. Sometimes you don't have a choice when you run 30 miles and a big storm rolls in. I'd take my 21' Skeeter with a 4 blade prop over an aluminum deep v any day. I just take my time and climb over every wave. Believe me, it's not fun and it eats up a ton of fuel, but it sure beats the alternative.

Did you ever own a deep V? Wonder why Al Linder uses deep V's rather than a Bass rig on the great Lakes.... Let me guess a more stable platform for such.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

No, I have not and I'm not trying to argue with you. Mr. Linder's deep v's also didn't run 70+ on calm days. Sometimes I need to make milk runs and hit as many places as possible during a tournament day. A 21' bass boat is very versatile and I was just stating a fact that I have been out in 6 footers on Ontario and not had problems...but my boat is also set up for it(4 blade prop, 54 inch tm shaft, extra bilge, etc). Truth be told, if I fished the Great Lakes exclusively, I would opt for a 21' FIBERGLASS walleye boat. They really handle big water.

I understand

Tight Lines

Pa Angler

[Fishing Rhino]

While we are speaking of extreme weather, here's a helpful tip if you are ever caught in these conditions, and you have to run with the wind.

All of the boats mentioned here are fast enough to match the speed of the waves.  The safest way to run with the sea is to ride the back side of the wave, controlling boat speed so that you are "climbing" the wave toward the crest.

Never ride the front side of the wave.  You may find yourself surfing the wave, putting yourself in danger of pitchpoling, or yawing badly enough to get broadside to the sea and being swamped.

[Md]

While we are speaking of extreme weather, here's a helpful tip if you are ever caught in these conditions, and you have to run with the wind.

All of the boats mentioned here are fast enough to match the speed of the waves. The safest way to run with the sea is to ride the back side of the wave, controlling boat speed so that you are "climbing" the wave toward the crest.

Never ride the front side of the wave. You may find yourself surfing the wave, putting yourself in danger of pitchpoling, or yawing badly enough to get broadside to the sea and being swamped.

Also, one of the most important things I've learned is that every wave, or set of waves, is different, and should be driven as such. It takes a lot of concentration and can be very nerve racking.