Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004?

For trailering, the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 has the edge at 119 lbs dry weight versus 1 745 lbs for the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005. 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 901 CDX DC 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 tops out at 125 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 901 CDX DC 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 is certified for 5. 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 901 CDX DC 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 85" for the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 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 901 CDX DC 2005 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004?

The Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 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 901 CDX DC 2005 and Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 and the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 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 901 CDX DC 2005 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004

Nitro

Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005

2005

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Nitro

Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 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 200 hp, the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 has a 75-hp advantage over the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004's 125-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 901 CDX DC 2005 carries 57 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 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 Bay 1800 VL 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 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

Model901 CDX DC

ModelBay 1800 VL

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam85 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches85

Weight - Detail1,745 Lbs

Weight - Detail1190 lbs

Weight - kg791.52

Weight - kg539.77

Weight - lbs.1745

Weight - lbs.119

Height [transom]22 in

Height [transom]20 in

Length - Feet19

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches2

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Meters5.36

Length overall - Inches23

Length overall - Inches211

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail36 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters136.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36

Engine max200 hp

Engine max125 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,235 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people4

Maximum people5

Trailer Info

Trailer - Length over all23 ft. 8 in. (with Transom Saver) 22 ft. 8 in. (without Transom Saver)

Trailer - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Weight3,200 lbs

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in

Trailer - Widthnot available

Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 vs Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004?

For trailering, the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 has the edge at 119 lbs dry weight versus 1 745 lbs for the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005. 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 901 CDX DC 2005 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 tops out at 125 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 901 CDX DC 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 is certified for 5. 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 901 CDX DC 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 85" for the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 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 901 CDX DC 2005 or the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004?

The Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 36 gallons on the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 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 901 CDX DC 2005 and Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 901 CDX DC 2005 and the Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 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 901 CDX DC 2005 full specs ← Nitro Bay 1800 VL 2004 full specs