Nitro 288 Sport 2006 vs Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 288 Sport 2006 or the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004?

For trailering, the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 has the edge at 1 715 lbs dry weight versus 1 805 lbs for the Nitro 288 Sport 2006. 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 288 Sport 2006 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 tops out at 200 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 2006 and Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 2006 or the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004?

The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 39 gallons on the Nitro 288 Sport 2006. 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 2006 and Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 288 Sport 2006 and the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 2006 vs Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004

Nitro

Nitro 288 Sport 2006

2006

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Nitro

Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 288 Sport 2006 vs Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 288 Sport 2006 vs Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 225 hp, the Nitro 288 Sport 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004's 200-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 901 CDX SC 2004 carries 57 gallons versus 39 gallons in the Nitro 288 Sport 2006. 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 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro 288 Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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

Model901 CDX SC

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in.

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail1,805 lbs.

Weight - Detail1715 lbs.

Weight - kg818.73

Weight - kg777.91

Weight - lbs.1805

Weight - lbs.1715

Height [transom]22 in.

Length - Feet20

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in.

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 2 in.

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Inches241

Length overall - Inches230

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercury? 135 OptiMax?

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail39 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters147.63

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal39

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max225 hp

Engine max200 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,650 lbs.

Maximum capacity1235 lbs.

Maximum people7

Maximum people4

Trailer Info

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

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 0 in.

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight3,180 lbs.

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Nitro 288 Sport 2006 vs Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 288 Sport 2006 or the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004?

For trailering, the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 has the edge at 1 715 lbs dry weight versus 1 805 lbs for the Nitro 288 Sport 2006. 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 288 Sport 2006 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 tops out at 200 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 2006 and Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 2006 or the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004?

The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 39 gallons on the Nitro 288 Sport 2006. 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 2006 and Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 288 Sport 2006 and the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 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 2006 full specs ← Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 full specs