Nitro 188 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 591 SC 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 591 SC 2006?

For trailering, the Nitro 591 SC 2006 has the edge at 155 lbs dry weight versus 1 675 lbs for the Nitro 188 Sport 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Nitro 591 SC 2006 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 188 Sport 2004 tops out at 175 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Nitro 188 Sport 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Nitro 591 SC 2006 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nitro 591 SC 2006 measures 94" wide, compared to 93" for the Nitro 188 Sport 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 591 SC 2006?

The Nitro 591 SC 2006 has the bigger tank at 43 gallons, versus 31 gallons on the Nitro 188 Sport 2004. That 12-gallon difference translates to roughly 36–60 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 and Nitro 591 SC 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 and the Nitro 591 SC 2006 are built by Nitro. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Nitro 188 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 591 SC 2006

Nitro

Nitro 188 Sport 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro 591 SC 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 188 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 591 SC 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 188 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 591 SC 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 200 hp, the Nitro 591 SC 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Nitro 188 Sport 2004's 175-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Nitro 591 SC 2006 carries 43 gallons versus 31 gallons in the Nitro 188 Sport 2004. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nitro 188 Sport 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Nitro 591 SC 2006 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro 591 SC 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNitro

Model188 Sport

Model591 SC

Model Year2004

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam93 in

Beam94 in

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches94

Weight - Detail1675 lbs

Weight - Detail1,550 lbs

Weight - kg759.77

Weight - kg703.07

Weight - lbs.1675

Weight - lbs.155

Height [transom]22 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters5.51

Length overall - Meters5.66

Length overall - Inches217

Length overall - Inches223

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail43 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35

Fuel tank capacity - Liters162.77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal31

Fuel tank capacity - Gal43

Engine max175 hp

Engine max200 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury? 135 OptiMax?

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1570 lbs

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs

Maximum people7

Maximum people4

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailNITRO? color-coordinated single axle drive-on

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allWith Transom Saver: 25 ft. 0 in. Without Transom Saver: 23 ft. 4 in

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight3,180 lbs

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft.6 in

Nitro 188 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 591 SC 2006 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 591 SC 2006?

For trailering, the Nitro 591 SC 2006 has the edge at 155 lbs dry weight versus 1 675 lbs for the Nitro 188 Sport 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Nitro 591 SC 2006 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 188 Sport 2004 tops out at 175 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Nitro 188 Sport 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Nitro 591 SC 2006 is certified for 4. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nitro 591 SC 2006 measures 94" wide, compared to 93" for the Nitro 188 Sport 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 591 SC 2006?

The Nitro 591 SC 2006 has the bigger tank at 43 gallons, versus 31 gallons on the Nitro 188 Sport 2004. That 12-gallon difference translates to roughly 36–60 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 and Nitro 591 SC 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 188 Sport 2004 and the Nitro 591 SC 2006 are built by Nitro. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Nitro 188 Sport 2004 full specs ← Nitro 591 SC 2006 full specs