Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 or the Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011?

For trailering, the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 has the edge at 1 805 lbs dry weight versus 2 150 lbs for the Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011. 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011?

The Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 39 gallons on the Nitro 288 Sport 2004. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and the Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011

Nitro

Nitro 288 Sport 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 carries 55 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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

ModelZ-9 CDC

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in.

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail1805 lbs.

Weight - Detail2,150 lbs.

Weight - kg818.73

Weight - kg975.22

Weight - lbs.1805

Weight - lbs.2150

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

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise16°

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail16 in.

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches16

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet20.75

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail39 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters147.63

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal39

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max225 hp

Engine max300 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury®

Engine modelnot available

Engine model225 OptiMax®

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1700 lbs.

Maximum capacity2,150 lbs.

Maximum people8

Maximum people4 / 1,250 lbs.

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailNITRO? color coordinated tandem axle drive-on

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allWith Swing-away: 24 ft. 5 in.

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight4,050 lbs.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in.

Nitro 288 Sport 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 or the Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011?

For trailering, the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 has the edge at 1 805 lbs dry weight versus 2 150 lbs for the Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011. 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011?

The Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 has the bigger tank at 55 gallons, versus 39 gallons on the Nitro 288 Sport 2004. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 288 Sport 2004 and the Nitro Z-9 CDC 2011 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 Z-9 CDC 2011 full specs