Nitro Z6???

I'm thinking about getting a glass boat maybe kinda sorta...only boat dealer close to me that sells a glass boat with a mercury opti max pro xs in my price range is Bass Pro. Anyone have a Nitro Z6 or fished one that can give me some feedback. Only up front concern for me is its short, but would be easy to tow and store so 6 one way half a dozen the other. I know some other manufactures sell a longer boat semi close to the Z6 price range with 115 hp max rating but I think they would be fairly slow with that small of an engine. I also like how Nitro has almost all yours needs standard and up front with all pricing. Thanks in advance for any feedback. I fish LOZ and small lakes most of the time.

Tracker has a new aluminum out this year with a 150 hp rating. Should be a nice sized rig with good speed. I don't think the Z6 would be bad for smaller waters or if boat traffic is minimal but may be a rough ride in white caps or with boat waves. Use to fish a Pro Craft that was about the same size with a 115 hp. It fished well but would beat you to death running back to weigh ins.

I saw that tracker and really like it but cant wrap my head around paying 26k for an aluminium boat. If the Z6 rides anything like my Tracker Tournament V18 then I'll be ok. I don't need top speed in rough water just something that wont get me wet and I don't and prob never will fish tournaments. I wish there were more options in glass boats for poor guys like me.

Remember that Tracker does not put top of the line accessories on their boats, the TM and FF are functional, but that's about it. I looked at the Z6 several yeas ago and still like the size etc. Take the price of the Z6, add accessories you want, then compare to other boats you like

I glanced at it in the bass pro flier, what size trolling motor comes with it?

I've never fished out of a Z6 so no comment there, but I can comment on fishing out of a 17' fiberglass boat. My old 270 was 17' with dual consoles. 2 guys and gear was tight but no real issues, and my old boat didn't have a full front deck like the Z6 does, nor was it as wide. If you fish by yourself or 1 other person and have no need to haul around more then I think it would work okay. Personally I would spend 5K more and go with the Z7. I would bet the Z7 would be easier to sell down the road also. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by LSL Angler

I glanced at it in the bass pro flier, what size trolling motor comes with it?

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U can upgrade to a 24 volt for not much more. I know Nitro had a bad rep back in the day but I think they are prob as good as any just not as many thrills. Can't believe they still use wood in the stringers (i think they still do not 100% sure.) I've been doing a lot of research and might just wait a little while. I have and prob always will have a V6 towing vehicle so I can't get anything to heavy. Something the Z7 size would prob be as big as i want. Also at the LOZ a little shorter boat is an advantage for me bc I like to squeeze btwn docks to fish and a long boat is not as maneuverable. I like the Trition 179 trx and Ranger 117 better than the Z6 but good grief almost 30k for a smaller boat and only 115 hp that's crazy but something I just might look into. I like the new bigger Tracker but since they quit making my boat the Tournament V18 they really have done themselves a disservice in storage bc the rear compartments are tiny and that boat doesn't have storage under the seats. Also the lid supports are spot welded and can pop off. I just want to make sure that if i'm forking out that kind of money I'm not sacrificing anything. I'd like to have a 150 hp but would do a 115 hp if I can get a stable wide boat with lots of storage. I night fish half the year anyway and the speed limit on the LOZ is 30 mph after dark and I usually don't run terribly far. I haven't seen one in person and don't know how they ride but it looks like the Crestliner VT series might have more bang for your buck if I stay with tin. Only thing about aluminium is it will be very hard to beat Tracker's ride especially my boat. It cuts the water, gets on plane, and handles rough stuff like a tank. Many people have fished with me and can't believe how well it rides for a tin boat. All in all I think boat prices are crazy but I'm still thinking about pulling the trigger...lil man might have to get out of daycare first though..........

Sounds to me like you are pretty happy with the boat you have. Sounds like it does the job you want from another boat. Think was it me I would consider repower the one you have and keep on fishing for a lot less. I have fished from those shorter glass boats and now fish out of a 17 stick steer aluminum. I would not trade it for any brand, new glass 17 boat.

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Originally Posted by cray

Sounds to me like you are pretty happy with the boat you have. Sounds like it does the job you want from another boat. Think was it me I would consider repower the one you have and keep on fishing for a lot less. I have fished from those shorter glass boats and now fish out of a 17 stick steer aluminum. I would not trade it for any brand, new glass 17 boat.

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def agree with cray I was not thinking about going with a new boat but I can get pretty good resale for my boat right now and the older it gets the more it depreciates so that's why I was thinking about trading

My fishing bud baithead bought a Z6 nitro only had it on the water 3-4 times till problems emerged. Still waitting to get out on it you may pm him I think he would give you an earfull.

I was not knocking Tracker boats, I had a PT175 for 10 yrs, no complaints about the package at all, I just got tired of climbing up on the front deck or over the seats while trolling for crappie. I took my 175 in for dealer service/warranty issue just one time. I like Tracker boats, they just did not have what I was wanting.

Could always watch boat trader. You can get 20' Procrafts, Triton, Rangers for 10-15k that are 5-10 years old that are barely used. A lot of people buying recreational toys, use them a bunch the first year, then less and less each year after. Then the wife starts complaining more and more. Good deals to be had.

Go to bassboatcentral.com They have a used boat forum there. Lots of better used boats (low hours, warranty left and bigger, bigger is better on LOZ) on there in your price range than what you are looking at.

Don't limit yourself on size of the boat because you mainly fish docks. I fish with a buddy a lot out of a 19' glass boat and about all we fish in the spring and fall is in front of docks and under walkways with out problems, you just have to be more careful. The bigger boats are so much more stable and ride good on LOZ. I weigh 250 and he is around 300 and we can both fish off the front deck and walk around and the boat never rocks. I have also been thinking about switching from my aluminum v bottom to a glass boat because dock shooting is so much easier and they have so much more storage space. I have saw some pretty good deals on Springfield Craigslist.

I have owned a Z6 for 4 years now. It is a little short but not a problem storing. Fishes 2 or 3 very comfortably. Mine was upgraded to a brand new Opti Max 135 before I bought it. Love the extra HP. I also upgraded to a 24v troller. Easier to move the heavier glass boat when the wind picks up!

JTMavs great report/review on the Z6. Always good to get it from someone that actually owns one or dishes out of one a lot. They are made right across town from where I live and work. Would love to have one for running up the creeks in around here. Small enough to get around food and still stable enough to spider rig the creeks in the winter with out getting blown around to much. Just need to by the powerball I guess.