Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-6 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-6 2012?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-6 2012 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 1 715 lbs for the Nitro 901 CDX 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 901 CDX SC 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Z-6 2012 tops out at 115 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 SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Z-6 2012 is certified for 3. 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 SC 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 9" for the Nitro Z-6 2012. 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 SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-6 2012?

The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 22 gallons on the Nitro Z-6 2012. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 and Nitro Z-6 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-6 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 901 CDX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-6 2012

Nitro

Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro Z-6 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-6 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-6 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 200 hp, the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 has a 85-hp advantage over the Nitro Z-6 2012'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 901 CDX SC 2004 carries 57 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Nitro Z-6 2012. 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 901 CDX SC 2004 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Z-6 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro Z-6 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeNitro

Model901 CDX SC

ModelZ-6

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam90 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches9

Weight - Detail1715 lbs

Weight - Detail1,300 lbs

Weight - kg777.91

Weight - kg589.67

Weight - lbs.1715

Weight - lbs.13

Height [transom]22 in

Length overall - Detail19 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in

Length overall - Meters5.84

Length overall - Meters5.28

Length overall - Inches23

Length overall - Inches208

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise12°

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail13 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.33

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches13

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17.33

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal22

Engine max200 hp

Engine max115 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury®

Engine modelnot available

Engine model115 ELPT OptiMax®

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1235 lbs

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs

Maximum people4

Maximum people3 / 460 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 - Length over allnot available

Trailer - Length over allWith Swing-away: 18 ft. 11 in

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,500 lbs

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft

Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 vs Nitro Z-6 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-6 2012?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-6 2012 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 1 715 lbs for the Nitro 901 CDX 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 901 CDX SC 2004 is rated to a maximum of 200 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Z-6 2012 tops out at 115 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 SC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Nitro Z-6 2012 is certified for 3. 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 SC 2004 measures 96" wide, compared to 9" for the Nitro Z-6 2012. 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 SC 2004 or the Nitro Z-6 2012?

The Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 22 gallons on the Nitro Z-6 2012. That 35-gallon difference translates to roughly 105–175 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 and Nitro Z-6 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro 901 CDX SC 2004 and the Nitro Z-6 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 901 CDX SC 2004 full specs ← Nitro Z-6 2012 full specs