Nitro Z7 Best Bass boat

The 2010 Nitro Z-7 is 18’ 8” and is towed on a single axle trailer equipped with a swing away tongue that when folded fits a 21’ 9” length and is 8’ 6” in width; this is an important consideration for a lot of homeowners’ where garage and/or parking space is limited. This compact unit also tows very easily and tracks well behind tow vehicles.

The Nitro Z-7 has some new exciting features for 2010, a removable dual console option allows anglers to easily remove/replace passenger console by a simplistic 3 point hook up designed by Williams.

Also new for 2010, is an integrated reboarding ladder. This neat safety feature allows for easy reboarding of your boat if you have accidentally fallen into the water. It also allows for easy recreational reboarding if you are into water sports or swimming.

The new RPS (Rapid Planing System) is a significant improvement that provides, as its name implies, an excellent hole shot, outstanding handling and top end speed. The unique transom design allows for air to escape for an improved holeshot.

Other features include: large aerated livewell, 8 foot rod lockers, three across seating to name a few. For full features and options please go to www. Nitro.com or see your local Tracker Marine Boating Center salesperson.

The evolution of the bass boat has seen a trend for 20 foot or longer bass boats as the standard; however, maybe the economy and common sense are creating the need for the production and promotion of the 18 foot boat that performs like the bigger more expensive boats.

During the fall of last year I met with Lance Williams to test drive the new Z-7 on Table Rock Lake. The test boat was equipped with a Mercury 200 horsepower motor and had very little equipment in the boat. I was immediately impressed with the stability of the boat as I boarded the craft, no dipping or tipping as I walked all around the edges of spacious decks , both fore and aft. The leg room beneath the steering wheel was very adequate and is suitable for hotfoot installation, a feature that I highly recommend for any bass boat.

The Nitro Z-7 was first introduced as the Nitro 591, and was touted as the boat to fill the void between anglers making the transition from aluminum to fiberglass. An extruded aluminum bass boat called the Avalanche didn’t find a place in the bass boat market during its brief production years, so the fiberglass 591 was designed by Tracker Marine Senior Engineer Lance Williams with production beginning in 2006. The hull and interior changes were redesigned in late 2009 to create today’s truly impressive bass boat, the 2010 Nitro Z-7.

In my opinion, two hands on the steering wheel give anglers twice as much control. Lance let me drive the boat as he gave me the details on the new RPS transom. As mentioned before this unique slot at the bottom of the transom allows for trapped air to escape which in turn, lets the boat get up on plane quicker. Although the Mercury 200 did not have any problems, I have since ran one with a 150 that performed well also. A little more on that later; Lance let me put the newest “Z” to the test and I have to admit that I was impressed. Now is probably a good time to discuss horsepower, the 200 is awesome, however; folks that do not like to “drive” a boat should look to a little less horsepower.

Lance showed me how to let down the front end just a little after achieving top end and then trimming up to maximum speed. This takes a little getting used to, but it wasn’t a big deal. The boat handled really well and in a short test drive I really liked the unit. However; I am a fisherman and just running the boat didn’t tell me all I wanted to know.

One month later I was fishing a two day Heartland Trails pro-am championship held on Table Rock Lake. Tracker Marine’s Robert Long asked me if I was interested in running a Z-7 and I jumped at the chance to try this unit out in actual fishing conditions, I know this was a big event, but I felt that the only way to totally accept this boat as a viable tournament boat was to use it in a high pressure competition such as the Heartland championship. Plus, daily weighins were at the popular Branson Landing in Branson, Missouri, what better way to display this new star in the Nitro lineup!

I began prefishing on Wednesday before the weekend event and was looking in my usual haunts up in the river systems for shallow fish, although I had a decent pattern going the weather and fishing conditions changed drastically and I didn’t place very high in the final standings, however; fishing in the Z-7 with a Mercury 150 OptiMax was a pure pleasure.

The boat, loaded with gear, two large adults performed as well as anyone could ask. The area that I fished was an area of sharp 90 degree turns that wound back and forth for the 15 mile run that I was making each day. The “7” held very tight in really hard turns and did not slide or porpoise at all. Even with full livewells and all our equipment the holeshot was great and fishability was fantastic. Plenty of room, I felt secure up front even though my amateur angler liked to sidearm it a lot! Standing up together wasn’t a problem at all and we didn’t have to wait for each to begin fishing.

Each day of the event, I ran through big water near the dam and was very pleased to note that the “7” provided a stable, dry run that encountered huge boat wakes and windy conditions. Another small note, it was very easy to load the boat on the custom trailer, nice feature that is often over looked.

What would I recommend for this unit? First of all, I removed the 70 pound thrust trolling motor in favor of the 82 pound MotorGuide, most would not need this, but when you need the power to move quickly it is nice to have it available. Also, I ran both the 200 and 150; my pick would be the Mercury 200 XS with a six inch jack plate. I feel that this would make the “7” fast, functional and fishable, and yes, it is ok to throttle back a little!

Now, how do you make the best better? Lower the price! You heard me, lower the price! With the 2010 price reduction by Bass Pro Shops Tracker Marine you can buy such an optimal boat for a price of $21,995 with a 150 Optimax, plus rigging and freight charges. Need I say more?

Take a look at www.Nitro.com or at your local Tracker dealer or Bass Pro Shops.