Nitro Boats: Performance And Quality Reviewed

Nitro Boats is a brand of affordable fibreglass boats with a reputation for being high-performance and competitively priced. The company, founded by industry veteran Alan Stinson, has gone through several phases since its inception, with a history that is poorly documented prior to its purchase by Tracker Boats in 1989. Today, Nitro Boats offers a range of fishing and ski boats known for their spacious decks, ample storage, and value for money. However, opinions are divided among owners and industry professionals regarding the quality and durability of Nitro boats, with some pointing to manufacturing issues and others praising their overall performance and handling.

Nitro Z21 XL: a good option for anglers looking for a competitively priced complete package

Nitro Z21 XL is a good option for anglers looking for a competitively priced, high-performance boat. With a top speed of over 70 mph and a dry, stable ride even in rough waters, the Nitro Z21 XL delivers on speed and handling. The boat's 18-degree multi-strake pad vee hull design ensures a smooth journey, easily handling foot-high wind chop at high speeds.

The boat is also equipped with a Mercury 250 Pro XS outboard and SeaStar hydraulic steering, enhancing its performance and fishability. The Nitro Z21 XL's foredeck features an optional Lowrance Ghost trolling motor with autopilot and GPS lock, keeping the deck clutter-free. The boat also offers ample storage, with dual rod lockers capable of holding seven rods each, a 20-tube dual-tier rod storage system, and spacious compartments for bulk dry storage.

The helm provides ample space for optional electronics, including a 12-inch Lowrance HDS graph and Mercury electronic analog gauges. The new-for-2023 digital switch panel controls all electrical features on board. The Nitro Z21 XL also offers a convenient styled boarding ladder and "Z-Core" cockpit seating with Force Flex suspension for comfortable and secure seating during long trips.

While opinions on Nitro boats are divided, with some criticising the ride at higher speeds and the quality of hardware, many owners are satisfied with the overall performance, handling, and value offered by the boat. The Nitro Z21 XL, in particular, stands out as a competitive package, delivering speed, stability, and fishability at a suggested price of under $85,000.

Overall, the Nitro Z21 XL is a strong option for anglers seeking a high-performance, feature-rich boat at a competitive price point.

Performance and handling: the Nitro Z21 XL can reach high speeds and handles well in rough water

The Nitro Z21 XL is a powerful and agile boat, delivering high speeds and smooth handling in rough waters. Its Mercury 250 Pro XS outboard engine can propel the boat to speeds exceeding 70 mph, even when carrying a heavy load. The boat's handling is exceptional, with the ability to effortlessly navigate through foot-high wind chop at 65 mph while maintaining stability. The 18-degree multi-strake pad vee hull design ensures a dry and comfortable ride, even in choppy conditions.

The boat's performance can be attributed to its NVT™ technology, which enhances planing, handling, and speed, allowing it to excel in various conditions, including full loads and tournament settings. The 18-degree deadrise hull, combined with the tilt hydraulic steering and well-placed trim and jackplate controls, provides responsive and precise manoeuvring. The boat's design ensures that it remains stable even when executing sharp turns at high speeds.

The Z21 XL's extra-wide bow and padded front deck provide exceptional stability when using the trolling motor. The spacious foredeck also accommodates an optional Lowrance Ghost trolling motor with autopilot and GPS lock, enhancing the boat's overall performance and handling. The recessed foot pedal for the trolling motor keeps the deck clutter-free, allowing for unobstructed movement.

The Z21 XL's suspension seating, known as the Z-CORE™ seating system, is another notable feature. This system provides a comfortable and secure seating experience, especially during high-performance turns and in choppy waters. The side-bolstered design keeps you centred and stable, reducing the impact of the boat's movements on your body.

Overall, the Nitro Z21 XL delivers impressive performance and handling characteristics, making it a top choice for anglers seeking a boat that can handle rough waters and provide a smooth and responsive ride, even at high speeds.

Manufacturing: Nitro Boats are manufactured with the contemporary Lean Sigma set of principles, which leads to lower manufacturing costs

Nitro boats are manufactured with the contemporary Lean Sigma set of principles, which leads to lower manufacturing costs. Lean manufacturing is a systematic approach to minimising waste without sacrificing productivity. It was developed by Toyota in the mid-20th century and has since been adopted globally across various industries.

The core objective of lean manufacturing is to deliver higher value to the customer with fewer resources. This is achieved by optimising every step of the production process, ensuring that each action directly contributes to the final product and eliminating any activities that do not add value.

The five principles of lean manufacturing are:

• Define value from the customer's perspective: Identify what the customer needs and expects from the product or service, and focus efforts on activities that directly contribute to those needs.
• Map the value stream: Visualise the entire flow of materials and information to identify areas of waste and opportunities for improvement.
• Create flow: Reorganise the production steps to create a continuous, uninterrupted flow of materials and information, minimising waiting times and reducing inefficiencies.
• Implement a pull system: Produce goods based on actual customer demand rather than forecasts to reduce the risk of overproduction and minimise inventory costs.
• Pursue perfection: Continuously seek to improve processes and eliminate waste, encouraging everyone in the organisation to contribute ideas.

By following these principles, Nitro Boats can create a more efficient, responsive, and cost-effective manufacturing process, ultimately delivering a high-quality product to their customers at a competitive price.

In addition to the principles, Nitro Boats may also utilise various tools and techniques that are part of the Lean Sigma methodology, such as Kanban, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and the 5S tool, to further enhance their manufacturing process and reduce waste.

The benefits of implementing Lean Sigma in manufacturing are significant. It leads to increased efficiency, improved quality, reduced costs, and enhanced employee engagement and customer satisfaction. By adopting these contemporary principles, Nitro Boats can lower their manufacturing costs while maintaining high standards.

Durability: opinions are divided, but it seems that Nitro Boats are durable for the price

Nitro Boats is a brand of affordable fibreglass boats sold at a no-haggle price. The company bills them as high-performance vessels. The brand is generally seen as a value brand and good for the money. However, opinions are divided on how good Nitro boats are.

Nitro Boats are manufactured with contemporary Lean Sigma principles, which seek to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and streamline the manufacturing process. This set of principles leads to lower manufacturing costs, which are passed on to the customer.

Despite the positive reviews, there are some complaints about Nitro boats. Many commenters feel that the boats do not ride smoothly at higher speeds. There are also reports of gel coat problems, such as spider cracks and easy chipping, as well as issues with hardware such as latches and hinges.

However, many owners are happy with the overall performance and handling, as they are not expecting top-quality performance for the price they pay. One owner summed it up by saying, "For the price difference, I think you can't beat the Nitro for value... The Nitro has a large deck, is very stable and fishes well. The livewells are nice, [a] good amount of storage in the boat. I like my Z-8 a lot."

In terms of durability, opinions are divided. Nitro Boats is a cheaper brand, and even with rigorous manufacturing principles, the boats are still made to a price point. It seems that you get what you pay for with Nitro Boats. They are decently-made vessels with few frills, but some lemons do get through the manufacturing process.

Nitro Boats have gone through periods of varying quality. The boats experienced a decline in construction standards from the late 1990s until the early 2010s, with many reports of hull defects, wiring issues, and hardware problems. However, the brand has made significant improvements since then, and many owners report having their boats for 10 years or more without any major problems.

Older models: Nitro Boats made before 1989 are generally seen as well-built and durable

Nitro Boats has gone through several phases, with different purposes and principles, since its founding by industry veteran Alan Stinson. The early Nitro boats, manufactured in Longview, Texas, focused on fishing and water skiing. They were known for being well-built and durable. One owner of an older Nitro boat wrote:

> "I own an 87 Nitro with an 88 Yamaha 115...It is a fish and ski. It is no trailer queen. It has countless hours of skiing, tubing and fishing on it. It has given me no structural problems over the 15 years I have owned it. I am currently repairing some chips in the gel coat on the bottom and planning to re-carpet soon. It tops out between 52 and 54 mph...From what little I know about it, it is a much more solid boat than some of its later model counterparts."

Nitro Boats was purchased by Tracker Boats in 1989, and the quality of the boats seemed to remain consistent in the years immediately following the acquisition. However, from the late 1990s until the early 2010s, the brand experienced a decline in construction standards, with many reports of hull defects, wiring issues, and hardware problems. Despite this, there are still some favourable comments from owners of boats during this period. One owner of a 2006 Nitro boat wrote:

> "Bought my first Nitro in 2006 (911 CDC). Ten years with no issue beyond bilge pump that went bad, and fuel line that had to be replaced. Traded that one in on my 2016 Z21. Only issues have been my jump switch and on-board charger. Both of which were easily enough fixed/replaced. I would buy another one."

Overall, older Nitro Boats models (made before 1989) are generally regarded as well-built and durable, while the boats produced in the late 1990s to early 2010s have a more mixed reputation due to construction issues.

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