Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-7 2008?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-7 2008 has the edge at 1 390 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 Z-7 2008 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 898 NX SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro Z-7 2008 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nitro Z-7 2008 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 Z-7 2008?

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 45 gallons on the Nitro Z-7 2008. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 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 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-7 2008 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 2008

Nitro

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro Z-7 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 2008 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 25-hp advantage over the Nitro Z-7 2008'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 898 NX SC 2004 carries 50 gallons versus 45 gallons in the Nitro Z-7 2008. 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 2008 caps at 4. 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 2008 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

Model898 NX SC

ModelZ-7

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam93 in.

Beam94 in.

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.39

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches94

Weight - Detail1760 lbs.

Weight - Detail1,390 lbs.

Weight - kg798.32

Weight - kg630.49

Weight - lbs.1760

Weight - lbs.1390

Height [transom]24 in.

Height [transom]22 in.

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in.

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 7 in.

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters5.66

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches223

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches7

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail45 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters170.34

Fuel tank capacity - Gal50

Fuel tank capacity - Gal45

Engine max225 hp

Engine max200 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury? 150 L EFI

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2066 lbs.

Maximum capacity1,550 lbs.

Maximum people8

Maximum people4

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Performance

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed59 - 62

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

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

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allwith Swing-Away: 21 ft. 1 in.

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight3,180 lbs.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in.

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-7 2008 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-7 2008?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-7 2008 has the edge at 1 390 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 Z-7 2008 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 898 NX SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Nitro Z-7 2008 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Nitro Z-7 2008 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 Z-7 2008?

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 50 gallons, versus 45 gallons on the Nitro Z-7 2008. That 5-gallon difference translates to roughly 15–25 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 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-7 2008 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 2008 full specs