Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-9 2012?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-9 2012 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 176 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 Z-9 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 tops out at 225 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-9 2012 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-9 2012 measures 96" 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-9 2012?

The Nitro Z-9 2012 has the bigger tank at 68 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004. That 63-gallon difference translates to roughly 189–315 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-9 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-9 2012 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-9 2012

Nitro

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro Z-9 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 2012 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 300 hp, the Nitro Z-9 2012 has a 75-hp advantage over the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004's 225-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-9 2012 carries 68 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-9 2012 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-9 2012 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-9

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam93 in

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.36

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches93

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail1760 lbs

Weight - Detail2,100 lbs

Weight - kg798.32

Weight - kg952.54

Weight - lbs.176

Weight - lbs.21

Height [transom]24 in

Height [transom]22 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 9 in

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters6.32

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches249

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet20.75

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail16 in

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches16

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.41

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise16°

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail68 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters257.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal68

Engine max225 hp

Engine max300 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury®

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower250 hp

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Engine modelnot available

Engine model225 OptiMax®

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2066 lbs

Maximum capacity2,150 lbs

Maximum people8

Maximum people4 / 1,250 lbs

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight4,050 lbs

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailNITRO? color coordinated tandem axle drive-on

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allWith Swing-away: 24 ft. 5 in

Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-9 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-9 2012?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-9 2012 has the edge at 21 lbs dry weight versus 176 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 Z-9 2012 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 tops out at 225 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-9 2012 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-9 2012 measures 96" 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-9 2012?

The Nitro Z-9 2012 has the bigger tank at 68 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004. That 63-gallon difference translates to roughly 189–315 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and Nitro Z-9 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 898 NX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-9 2012 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-9 2012 full specs