Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 929 CDX 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 929 CDX 2008?

For trailering, the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 has the edge at 1 805 lbs dry weight versus 1 919 lbs for the Nitro 929 CDX 2008. 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 929 CDX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 288 Sport 2004 tops out at 225 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 288 Sport 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro 929 CDX 2008 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and Nitro 929 CDX 2008 share an 96 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 929 CDX 2008?

The Nitro 929 CDX 2008 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 39 gallons on the Nitro 288 Sport 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and Nitro 929 CDX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and the Nitro 929 CDX 2008 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 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 929 CDX 2008

Nitro

Nitro 288 Sport 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro 929 CDX 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 929 CDX 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 929 CDX 2008 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 300 hp, the Nitro 929 CDX 2008 has a 75-hp advantage over the Nitro 288 Sport 2004's 225-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 929 CDX 2008 carries 57 gallons versus 39 gallons in the Nitro 288 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 288 Sport 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro 929 CDX 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro 929 CDX 2008 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

Model288 Sport

Model929 CDX

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail1805 lbs

Weight - Detail1,919 lbs

Weight - kg818.73

Weight - kg870.44

Weight - lbs.1805

Weight - lbs.1919

Height [transom]22 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters6.32

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches249

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail39 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters147.63

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal39

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Engine max225 hp

Engine max300 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury? 200 OptiMax?

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1700 lbs

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs

Maximum people8

Maximum people4

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Performance

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed66 - 68

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allwith Swing-Away: 22 ft. 8 in

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight3,300 lbs

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in

Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro 929 CDX 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 929 CDX 2008?

For trailering, the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 has the edge at 1 805 lbs dry weight versus 1 919 lbs for the Nitro 929 CDX 2008. 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 929 CDX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 288 Sport 2004 tops out at 225 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 288 Sport 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro 929 CDX 2008 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and Nitro 929 CDX 2008 share an 96 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 or the Nitro 929 CDX 2008?

The Nitro 929 CDX 2008 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 39 gallons on the Nitro 288 Sport 2004. That 18-gallon difference translates to roughly 54–90 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and Nitro 929 CDX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and the Nitro 929 CDX 2008 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 288 Sport 2004 full specs ← Nitro 929 CDX 2008 full specs