Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013?

For trailering, the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 has the edge at 176 lbs dry weight versus 1 675 lbs for the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013. 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 Z-7 Sport 2013 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 Z-7 Sport 2013 is certified for 6. 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 898 NX SC 2004 and Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 share an 93 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 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013?

The Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 has the bigger tank at 26 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 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 Z-7 Sport 2013

Nitro

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 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 Z-7 Sport 2013's 150-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-7 Sport 2013 carries 26 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Nitro 898 NX SC 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 898 NX SC 2004 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 caps at 6. 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 Z-7 Sport 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNitro

Model898 NX SC

ModelZ-7 Sport

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam93 in

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Inches93

Weight - Detail1760 lbs

Weight - Detail1,675 lbs

Weight - kg798.32

Weight - kg759.77

Weight - lbs.176

Weight - lbs.1675

Height [transom]24 in

Height [transom]22 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters5.92

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches233

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise16°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail24 in

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches24

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail15 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.38

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches15

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet19.42

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Engine max225 hp

Engine max150 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury® OptiMax®

Engine modelnot available

Engine model150 OptiMax® Pro XS

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2066 lbs

Maximum capacity1,500 lbs

Maximum people8

Maximum people6 / 750 lbs

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - WeightPackage: 3,236 lbs

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - WidthPackage: 8 ft. 3 in

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013?

For trailering, the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 has the edge at 176 lbs dry weight versus 1 675 lbs for the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013. 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 Z-7 Sport 2013 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 Z-7 Sport 2013 is certified for 6. 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 898 NX SC 2004 and Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 share an 93 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 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013?

The Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 has the bigger tank at 26 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004. That 21-gallon difference translates to roughly 63–105 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-7 Sport 2013 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 Z-7 Sport 2013 full specs