thinking about buying a Nitro, any input?

[lobina]

I'm looking at buying a Nitro 929 but don't know anything about them. It's just in my price range. i'd like to here what other people feel about these boats. thanks

[rwderrick]

NO I have a good deal for you my 1996 skeeter a faster boat for lest $$. it on the classifeds...

[Guy Kelley]

understand they are a good boat for the money.

But for the same amount, why don't you look at used Ranger or Triton or Bass Cat or Champion or ?

[Fishin' Dave]

Nitros are good boats. A few years back, there were some quality issues with deck lids and such.

If you get a hull warranty, get a good motor with warranty, take care of it, then any boat will do you good.

Be sure to talk to some of the pros sponsored by nitro. I have seen some pro's demo boats for sale in the classifieds from time to time.

[201Pro]

My recommendataion is to buy a couple of year old boat of a named brand (Ranger, Triton, Skeeter, Stratos, etc). They will hold their value better than the Nitro's ... overall, Nitro's are ok. Kind of the Chevy instead of the Caddy's of the boats.

[TritonBrent]

Hey. what wrong with Chevy's !! hehe

I dont know much about Nitro's, must not be too bad, KVD's got one

[eagle123777]

even though i am now a triton guy...my first boat was a nitro 170 great boat to learn on..now the 929 is much bigger then that...but if i was u...would look for a triton in the same price range...jack

[CW2 Tucker]

I own a 2006 Nitro 482 or the new Z-6. It is no where near the size of what you are looking but I like the brand. I have nothing bad to say about Nitro boats they are worth what you are asked to pay for one. Customer service is great. No it’s not a Triton or a Ranger but it is still a good quality boat.

I have not looked directly at the market for true resale of a nitro but I don’t think that it would be to bad at all.

Sure you can get a used Ranger for the same price but, it’s used. Not yours from the start and you have no idea what some of these guys do to a rig! One word for ya that should matter is, Warranty!

Just my $.02

[David Rogers]

I think the top boats are Ranger, Skeeter, Triton, Basscat, Champion, I just read today that Basscat has a lifetime transferable hull warranty, that awesome. Anyway its hard to argue with a Warranty on a new boat, on ANY boat that 15 years or newer you should not have a problem with the transome which is the main thing you want to look for on a used boat but that motor is hard tell what has gone on, how hard its been pushed. Myself if I had new Nitro money I would look for a one owner used Ranger or one of the above, I see boats all the time that have been bought by people that thought they were going to use them more often and never did and wind up selling them 5-10 years later and they have no hrs on them. I do not have new boat money so I bought a 1986 Ranger with a blown 175 merc for next to nothing and had 4 new sleeves put in and 6 new pistons, $4500. total including a new 71 lb brute motorguide 24V and I have a $7,000.00 boat with fresh motor. Either way you go, one owner or new nitro you will be set. This sport is awesome!!!

[Corey Fenske]

From what I know, they are a very solid boat. I have fished out of a few and I think they are a very nice boat.
The person to ask about this boat is Mark Blanton at Gone Fishin Marine. He knows a few thing about Nitro. He is one of there larger dealers. Give him a call.
Not to mention they have the absolute best service. Hands down the best people to work with.

[896J]

I have a 1996 896 Nitro. I haven't had any major problems with my boat. I've been through 3 powerheads on my Merc, but the hull its bolted to has been solid. No complaints here. Nitros have a really dry ride, which is nice on windy days on the delta. The 929 will ride a lot smoother than my 896.

[MIKE TREMONT]

Make sure you ride in a number of boats so you do know something about it before you purchase one.

I'm looking at buying a Nitro 929 but don't know anything about them.

I'm not going to get into which boat is the best. They all have a place. They all handle and ride a little different as well. Some are more comfortable than others, especially in the rough water.

Good luck and enjoy your search.

[lobina]

Thanks for the info guys. I forgot to mention that its a used boat

[DeltaDan]

The biggest worry for me with the Nitro's ....... Most all that I have looked at ~~ The Livewells overflow and pump out into the boats Bilge.


I can not understand that concept for the life of me as most other boats have self emptying to the outside of the boat.


That bilge pump works on a level switch ..... If the switch goes out, the pump goes out, you keep fishing and filling your boat with water..... You are sunk.


But I have to say that I am looking hard for a Nitro 911CDC that I can afford -- with seeting for four. And the 488VS ranger as well ... But they have to be in our max budget.

[wccjanel]

There are only two major brands of modern bass boats that I have not yet owned. Not saying that this makes me a foremost authority, but you can believe me that I will always own a Nitro from now on. But what I think, is not important. In fact, boat brand is of no importance at all.
What bait are you throwing, and where are you throwing it? What retrieve? These are more important than the boat from which they are happening.
If you spend more money than you have on a boat that will keep costing you; or will not allow you to get to the fish you want, or will make you uncomfortable, will keep costing you (I know I already said that), will take your time from fishing and place it towards boat up-keep, will make you spend more time at the service trailer than on the water, will keep costing you, will make you broke from insurance payments, will store way more tackle than you really need, will lead to you fishing scared, will keep costing you, will have you running further than neccessary just because you can, will keep costing you, then what is the point? How's that for a run-on sentence?
Get the boat that fits you, now. If you find out later that you would like a different boat, sell it and get a new one. They are just boats. Think about it: How many bikes did you have, before you found the one you liked? How many fish did you fish for, before you became a "bass fisherman"? How many girlfriends did you have, before you found the one? How many trucks did you own before you found the one you drive now? Rods? Reels? Hooks? Don't be afraid to take the leap.

How's that for a democratic candidate sounding answer?

Peace,
James

[lobina]

Thanks for all the input guys. lots of help.

[big bass beckstrom]

get a basscat they are awesome. If you want info or to go for a ride PM me.

[Slippy]

PM Phil Burgess, he has a Nitro and i think he really likes it.

[CBoat]

Here is the boat I would purchase today - hands down.


http://www.westernbass.com/forum/ads_item.php?id=5218

[davetNitro]

i have a 911 cdc, and have had no problems, though i don't
necessarily agree with the post about GFM (mark blanton) and
how great their service, i will never go back to them. and more
misinformation, the livewells do NOT pump into the bilge, at
least not in a 9 or Z series boat....

if you like it buy it......

[Matt Moreau]

Lobina,
I have owned a few nitros and I love them. Yes they are not the fastest boat on the market but they are the most stable and have the widest platform to fish from. Plus they have tons of storage and a lifetime hull warranty. Thats why i chose to fish from one. But like everyone said you have to buy whats right for you and your needs. If you want to blast across the lake at 80mph then buy a narrower and lighter boat like a basscat and triton. But if you want stability and good dry ride definatley think about a 929. I have the baby brother of a 929, which is the 901 and will glady give you a ride. I fish at the Delta CL and Berry a lot, if your ever going to be around let me know.

DaveNitro,
What happened at GF? I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience but if you talk to Mark he will make things right. GF is 100% customer oriented and Mark does everything he can to please us. Let me know if i can help you!

[NoCAL]

Gotta agree with Dave. GFM is not that great in service or customer attention. You'd think walking in there, you could be considered a potential boat buyer and be treated halfway decent. Doesn't happen. Mike, the service manager is competent and a pretty good guy but Galaxie Marine gets my service money now days. To each his own. I don't want to bash them, I bought one boat from them and used them for service for quite awhile. I'm just much happier with Galaxie.

NoCAL

[gonefishinmark]

For what it is worth, Gone Fishin' Marine is the only Bass Boat Dealership in the area that has the Mercury Premier Certified Service status. I could be wrong on that, but look it up for yourself on the Mercury website. We do try to help each and every customer, but we are only human and can only help those that take the time to let us know that they have a problem. You do not get that staus by helping one customer, but rather hundreds. Thanks for reading. Mark

[Mark Pollard]

We own a 901 CDX that we bought in 2006 from Gone Fish'n Marine in Dixon. The Boat is very solid. I have owned two Nitro's
and would'nt think twice about owning another.I would have
Gone Fish'n Marine do a check on the motor before I buy.
Better yet, buy a new Z 6 or Z 7 with a 115 Hp or a 150 HP
for around your price of 20,000. Gone Fish'N Marine has
always treated me with great service and they have done
everything they could for me. I will buy anouther boat from them
when the time comes.

[davetNitro]

my issues started from the day i went to pick up my boat. they
called on a friday told me to come saturday morning, i got there
saturday morning (2 hour drive), sat around for a while when
someone said didn't you get my message.... they could not start
the motor, something to do with '05/'06 cabling differences with a
verado. i drove home boatless, it was not until the following friday
and the reprogramming of my motor, had to wait for a specialist.
gfm could not do that work.

i later brought my boat in to have the leaking surge brake master
cylinder replaced, under warranty, it took all day, only to find all
of the bolts holding the master cylinder backing out when i got
home.

had to replace a trailer hub, as 2 of 5 bolts were not removable
talked to tracker indicating i did not want to spend 75 on gas to
have gfm to the work, they agreed to let me have it done locally,
and to send estimate to gfm, for reimbursement.. still waiting
for the $$$, 1 and 1/2 years......

also ordered blinker trim, was told by mike, that it did not work
on the verado, not true..

i have since had all of my verado work done by Boatmasters,
they recently relocated from dublin to livermore, they are certified
verado and merc specialists, for merc motors i recommend them
highly