Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005?

For trailering, the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 has the edge at 2 lbs dry weight versus 1 760 lbs for the Nitro 898 NX SC 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 898 NX SC 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 tops out at 150 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 898 NX SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 is certified for 7. 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 1900 VL 2005 measures 94" wide, compared to 93" for the Nitro 898 NX SC 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 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005?

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Bay 1900 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 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005

Nitro

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004

2004

View full specs →

Nitro

Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005

2005

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1900 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 225 hp, the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 has a 75-hp advantage over the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005's 150-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 50 gal and 47 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro 898 NX SC 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 Bay 1900 VL 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNitro

Model898 NX SC

ModelBay 1900 VL

Model Year2004

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam93 in.

Beam7 ft. 10 in.

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches94

Weight - Detail1760 lbs.

Weight - Detail1.590 lbs.

Weight - kg798.32

Weight - kg0.91

Weight - lbs.1760

Weight - lbs.1.59

Height [transom]24 in.

Height [transom]25 in.

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in.

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in.

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters5.74

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches226

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches10

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail47 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters177.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal50

Fuel tank capacity - Gal47

Engine max225 hp

Engine max150 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2066 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs.

Maximum people8

Maximum people7

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over all24 ft. 0 in.

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,750 lbs.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width100 in.

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005?

For trailering, the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 has the edge at 2 lbs dry weight versus 1 760 lbs for the Nitro 898 NX SC 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 898 NX SC 2004 is rated to a maximum of 225 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 tops out at 150 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 898 NX SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 is certified for 7. 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 1900 VL 2005 measures 94" wide, compared to 93" for the Nitro 898 NX SC 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 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005?

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 47 gallons on the Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Bay 1900 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 898 NX SC 2004 full specs ← Nitro Bay 1900 VL 2005 full specs