Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Nitro NX 750 SC 2006 vs Nitro Z-8 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Nitro NX 750 SC 2006 vs Nitro Z-8 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Nitro NX 750 SC 2006 at 17,0 ft versus Nitro Z-8 2009 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Nitro Z-8 2009 tips the scales at 1 950 lbs - 600 lbs less than the Nitro NX 750 SC 2006 at 1 350 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 250 hp, the Nitro Z-8 2009 has a 115-hp advantage over the Nitro NX 750 SC 2006's 135-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 2009 carries 55 gallons versus 30 gallons in the Nitro NX 750 SC 2006. 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 NX 750 SC 2006 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Nitro Z-8 2009 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Nitro NX 750 SC 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Nitro NX 750 SC 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 5 passengers and at 17,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Nitro Z-8 2009 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
Model Year2006
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam86 in.
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters2.18
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches86
Beam - Inches96
Weight - Detail1,350 lbs.
Weight - Detail1,950 lbs. (885 kg)
Weight - kg612.35
Weight - kg884.5
Weight - lbs.1350
Weight - lbs.1950
Height [transom]22 in.
Height [transom]22 in. (0.56 m)
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet20
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in.
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 1 in. (6.12 m)
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Meters6.12
Length overall - Inches210
Length overall - Inches241
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.12
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMercury? 90 OptiMax?
Engine/s standardMercury? 150 OptiMax?
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal30
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max135 hp
Engine max250 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,325 lbs.
Maximum capacity1,850 lbs. (839 kg)
Maximum people5
Maximum people4 or 1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailNITRO? color-coordinated single axle drive-on
Trailer - DetailNITRO? color coordinated tandem axle drive-on
Trailer - Length over allWith Transom Saver: 23 ft. 6 in. Without Transom Saver: 22 ft. 6 in.
Trailer - Length over allWith swing-away: 23 ft. 6 in. (7.16 m)
Trailer - Weight2,325 lbs.
Trailer - Weight3,620 lbs. (1,642 kg)
Trailer - Width8 ft. 3 in.
Trailer - Width8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee