Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 vs Nitro Z-8 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 or the Nitro Z-8 2013?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-8 2013 has the edge at 1 900 lbs dry weight versus 1 990 lbs for the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 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-8 2013 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 tops out at 200 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 2200 VL 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Nitro Z-8 2013 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-8 2013 measures 96" wide, compared to 92" for the Nitro Bay 2200 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 Bay 2200 VL 2004 or the Nitro Z-8 2013?

The Nitro Z-8 2013 has the bigger tank at 68 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 and Nitro Z-8 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 and the Nitro Z-8 2013 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 2200 VL 2004 vs Nitro Z-8 2013

Nitro

Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004

2004

View full specs →

Nitro

Nitro Z-8 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 vs Nitro Z-8 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 vs Nitro Z-8 2013 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 250 hp, the Nitro Z-8 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004's 200-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-8 2013 carries 68 gallons versus 60 gallons in the Nitro Bay 2200 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 2200 VL 2004 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Nitro Z-8 2013 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 2200 VL 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro Z-8 2013 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

ModelBay 2200 VL

ModelZ-8

Model Year2004

Model Year2013

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam7 ft. 8 in.

Beam96 in.

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail1990 lbs.

Weight - Detail1,900 lbs.

Weight - kg902.65

Weight - kg861.82

Weight - lbs.1990

Weight - lbs.1900

Height [transom]25 in.

Height [transom]22 in.

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 4 in.

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in.

Length overall - Meters6.5

Length overall - Meters6.12

Length overall - Inches256

Length overall - Inches241

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise16°

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Detail19 in.

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters48.26

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches19

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail14 in.

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.36

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches14

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet20.08

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 Gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail68 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters257.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60

Fuel tank capacity - Gal68

Engine max200 hp

Engine max250 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury®

Engine modelnot available

Engine model200 L OptiMax® Pro XS

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Operational Info

Maximum people9

Maximum people4 / 1,000 lbs.

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,850 lbs.

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Trailer Info

Trailer - Detailnot available

Trailer - DetailNitro? color-coordinated tandem axle drive-on

Trailer - Weightnot available

Trailer - WeightPackage: 3,620 lbs.

Trailer - Widthnot available

Trailer - WidthPackage: 8 ft. 6 in.

Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 vs Nitro Z-8 2013 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 or the Nitro Z-8 2013?

For trailering, the Nitro Z-8 2013 has the edge at 1 900 lbs dry weight versus 1 990 lbs for the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 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-8 2013 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 tops out at 200 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 2200 VL 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Nitro Z-8 2013 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-8 2013 measures 96" wide, compared to 92" for the Nitro Bay 2200 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 Bay 2200 VL 2004 or the Nitro Z-8 2013?

The Nitro Z-8 2013 has the bigger tank at 68 gallons, versus 60 gallons on the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 and Nitro Z-8 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Nitro Bay 2200 VL 2004 and the Nitro Z-8 2013 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 2200 VL 2004 full specs ← Nitro Z-8 2013 full specs