Both the Nitro 898 2008 and the Nitro Z-6 2013 are modified-V designs, the first built in aluminium and the second in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Nitro 898 2008 at 20,0 ft versus Nitro Z-6 2013 at 17,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Nitro 898 2008 tips the scales at 1 760 lbs - 460 lbs more than the Nitro Z-6 2013 at 1 300 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 225 hp, the Nitro 898 2008 has a 110-hp advantage over the Nitro Z-6 2013's 115-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 2008 carries 48 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Nitro Z-6 2013. 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 2008 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Z-6 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro 898 2008 could be the deciding factor.