Nitro 640 LX 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 640 LX 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005?

For trailering, the Nitro 640 LX 2004 has the edge at 1 092 lbs dry weight versus 1 190 lbs for the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005. 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 Bay 1800 VL 2005 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 640 LX 2004 tops out at 90 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 640 LX 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 is certified for 5. 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 Bay 1800 VL 2005 measures 85" wide, compared to 84" for the Nitro 640 LX 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 640 LX 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005?

The Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Nitro 640 LX 2004. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro 640 LX 2004 and Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 640 LX 2004 and the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 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 640 LX 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005

Nitro

Nitro 640 LX 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 640 LX 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 640 LX 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 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 125 hp, the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 has a 35-hp advantage over the Nitro 640 LX 2004's 90-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 Bay 1800 VL 2005 carries 35 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Nitro 640 LX 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 Bay 1800 VL 2005 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Nitro 640 LX 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 Bay 1800 VL 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro 640 LX 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

Model640 LX

ModelBay 1800 VL

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam84 in.

Beam85 in.

Beam - Meters2.13

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Inches84

Beam - Inches85

Weight - Detail1092 lbs.

Weight - Detail1,190 lbs.

Weight - kg495.32

Weight - kg539.77

Weight - lbs.1092

Weight - lbs.1190

Height [transom]21.5 in.

Height [transom]20 in.

Length overall - Detail16 ft. 4 in.

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 9 in.

Length overall - Meters4.98

Length overall - Meters5.41

Length overall - Inches196

Length overall - Inches213

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches9

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Gal24

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Engine max90 hp

Engine max125 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1080 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,250 lbs.

Maximum people4

Maximum people5

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all21 ft. 0 in.

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,150 lbs.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width94 in.

Nitro 640 LX 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 640 LX 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005?

For trailering, the Nitro 640 LX 2004 has the edge at 1 092 lbs dry weight versus 1 190 lbs for the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005. 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 Bay 1800 VL 2005 is rated to a maximum of 125 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 640 LX 2004 tops out at 90 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 640 LX 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 is certified for 5. 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 Bay 1800 VL 2005 measures 85" wide, compared to 84" for the Nitro 640 LX 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 640 LX 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005?

The Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 has the bigger tank at 35 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Nitro 640 LX 2004. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 640 LX 2004 and Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 640 LX 2004 and the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 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 640 LX 2004 full specs ← Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2005 full specs