Nitro Bay 1800 2004 vs Nitro X-4 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 or the Nitro X-4 2009?

For trailering, the Nitro X-4 2009 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 99 lbs for the Nitro Bay 1800 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 Bay 1800 2004 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro X-4 2009 tops out at 60 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 Bay 1800 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Nitro X-4 2009 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 and Nitro X-4 2009 share an 7 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 or the Nitro X-4 2009?

The Nitro X-4 2009 has the bigger tank at 26 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Nitro Bay 1800 2004. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 and Nitro X-4 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 and the Nitro X-4 2009 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 Bay 1800 2004 vs Nitro X-4 2009

Nitro

Nitro Bay 1800 2004

2004

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Nitro

Nitro X-4 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro Bay 1800 2004 vs Nitro X-4 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro Bay 1800 2004 vs Nitro X-4 2009 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 90 hp, the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 has a 30-hp advantage over the Nitro X-4 2009's 60-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 X-4 2009 carries 26 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Nitro Bay 1800 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 2004 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Nitro X-4 2009 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro Bay 1800 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 X-4 2009 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

ModelBay 18

ModelX-4

Model Year2004

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 6 in

Beam90 in. (2.29 m)

Beam - Meters2.29

Beam - Inches9

Weight - Detail990 lbs

Weight - Detail1,300 lbs. (590 kg)

Weight - kg449.06

Weight - kg589.67

Weight - lbs.99

Weight - lbs.13

Height [transom]20 in

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 4 in. (5.28 m)

Length overall - Meters5.38

Length overall - Meters5.28

Length overall - Inches212

Length overall - Inches208

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.28

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet17

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail15 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters56.78

Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal26

Engine max90 hp

Engine max60 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMercury? 50 ELPTO 2-stroke

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1250 lbs

Maximum capacity1,100 lbs. (499 kg)

Maximum people5

Maximum people3 or 460 lbs. (209 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

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. (5.77 m)

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - Weight2,260 lbs. (1,025 kg)

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - Width8 ft. (2.44 m)

Nitro Bay 1800 2004 vs Nitro X-4 2009 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 or the Nitro X-4 2009?

For trailering, the Nitro X-4 2009 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 99 lbs for the Nitro Bay 1800 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 Bay 1800 2004 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro X-4 2009 tops out at 60 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 Bay 1800 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Nitro X-4 2009 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 and Nitro X-4 2009 share an 7 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 or the Nitro X-4 2009?

The Nitro X-4 2009 has the bigger tank at 26 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Nitro Bay 1800 2004. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 and Nitro X-4 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Nitro Bay 1800 2004 and the Nitro X-4 2009 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 Bay 1800 2004 full specs ← Nitro X-4 2009 full specs