Tests
EXTRA POINTW
ITH BASS BOATS, THE BUZZ STARTS
behind the helm, with a hand on the throttle
and an extra snugging of the life jacket. We set
up the Z18 that way for our test. I jammed down the gas,
expecting the bow to stab skyward before settling into a
running attitude. But it didn’t. Oh, it shot forward with
head-snapping acceleration, but that bow lifted gently,
barely obscuring the horizon immediately forward — an
experience that bass boats don’t often give. This gentle step
to plane and blistering acceleration come from a new hull
that engineers call Nitro Vortex Technology (NVT).
What makes it work are longitudinally curved parabolic
bottom surfaces that are so different, Nitro won’t even
label them strakes. These are “parabolic curved surfaces”
that meet every 6 inches or so in a crisp peak. With the
throttle still firewalled, the Z18 continued to rise in flight
until only the pad — a long,
flat surface about 6 inches
wide extending from the
transom to amidships —
touched the water. The boat
topped out at 64 mph, an
impressive bass-boat speed
on 150 ponies.
Even more remarkable was
its stability. Many bass boats
begin to chine walk, or rock
from port to starboard, an
experience that also yaws the
stem back and forth, creating
an uncomfortable handling experience difficult to correct.
We had none of that belly-wrenching experience as the
Z18 glided along on its pad. And how did it turn? Oh my.
Nudging back on the throttle just a bit, we eased down to
50 mph and cranked the steering wheel to starboard, then
to port. The boat turned crisply, heeling slightly to center
in arcs that showed off a hull so perfectly balanced, a coffee
cup could stay put on the casting deck. We proved it was
also stable at rest by walking back and forth; the boat
settled only slightly with the shift in weight. A recessedpedal pocket eases any back or leg strain while operating
the electric motor. There is room for an optional 12-inch
sonar/GPS display at the bow; a Lowrance Mark-5x Pro fish
finder is standard.
Nitro’s tackle storage is exemplary. A portside rod locker
holds 8-foot sticks, and you can stow life jackets and the
mooring cover in the starboard compartment. A center deck
locker offers dedicated storage for tools, utility boxes and
tackle bags, and it even includes a drink holder. Dual lockers
aft stow more utility boxes. The forward step has a cooler and
trash bin beneath, and the aft step gives access to livewell
plumbing and storage.
Our take is that the Z18 is not just a boat at a great price
point — it’s a great boat. — Randy VanceNitro Boats
Z18
( #2955 )A portside
removable
console allows
anglers wind
protection or
a more open
deck plan for
summer fishing.High Points
XNitro’s NVT hull is one of the most stable we’ve experienced, even in hard
turns, and definitely a sweet ride at 64 mph.
XDedicated storage for utility boxes and tackle bags is tops for a boat
its size.
XBoat is packed with high-end standards, including Lowrance sonar and a
Minn Kota Maxxum 24-volt, 70-pound-thrust, 42-inch trolling motor.Low Points
XLegroom is strong, but tucking your legs under the console is always a
problem in bass boats.
XFold-down center cockpit seat would’ve been nice, but it’s optional.
XRigging for three batteries, a charger, livewell and bilge pumps is
well-organized and secure but understandably crowded.Toughest Competitor
XSkeeter’s ZX190 ($40,495) is rigged with a pricier 150 hp Yamaha VMAX
SHO. It comes with standards that are optional on the Nitro including a
jack plate and dual Lowrance HDS Gen 3 7-inch sonar/GPS, MK 10 3-bank
charger, Hot Foot throttle, Pro Trim, center seat, blinged-up trailer and more.XLOA: 18'8" XBeam: 7'10" XDraft: 15” XDisplacement: 1,700 lb. (dry without
power) XTransom Deadrise: 16 degrees XBridge Clearance: 3'5" XMax Headroom:
NA XFuel Capacity: 40 gal. XMax Horsepower: 175 XAvailable Power: Single out-
boards from Mercury
Price: $28,595 (as tested with trailer)HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: Mercury OptiMax Pro XS 150 DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/24" Fury 3-blade
stainless steel GEAR RATIO: 1.87:1 FUEL LOAD: 25 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 400 lb.
Tracker Marine Springfield, Missouri; 866-473-5919; nitro.comNitro just released the 2016 Z19. For more
information on the Z18 and Z19, visit
boatingmag.com/2955.MORE ONLINETBOATINGCertified Test Results
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
rpm knots mph gph^ naut. mpg stat. mpg range range n. mi. s. mi. angle levelsound
1000 4.52 5.20 0.80 5.65 6.50 203 234 0 73
1500 5.82 6.70 1.90 3.06 3.53 110 127 2 80
2000 6.60 7.60 3.60 1.83 2.11 66 76 5 80
2500 19.99 23.00 4.10 4.87 5.61 175 202 7 86
3000 27.72 31.90 5.00 5.54 6.38 200 230 3 94
3500 32.50 37.40 6.30 5.16 5.94 186 214 2 93
4000 36.41 41.90 7.80 4.67 5.37 168 193 0 93
4500 42.58 49.00 10.60 4.02 4.62 145 166 0 93
5000 47.79 55.00 12.10 3.95 4.55 142 164 0 94
5500 53.88 62.00 14.30 3.77 4.34 136 156 0 96
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDAVAILABLE POWER:
OUTBOARDPHOTO: COURTESY NITRO BOATS62 BOATINGMAG.COM JUNE 2016