That's going to be my 1st new boat. Price and options are a big selling point for me. Yes I've heard bad things about the electronic panel, they go out all the time.
Amen! I traded my old Skeeter in looking for a new one. Turns out, they had nothing that wasn’t full msrp ! Turns out they did have a boat on the lot that was a 2023….so now I’m a Ranger guy! Saved a ton.
You're exactly right. Most guys spend $80-90k on the boat name and then can't really afford to put all the tools on it to help them catch more fish. The boat doesn't help you catch more fish, it's all the extras you put on it. I don't fish big water so my Z-18 Pro with a 150 comes STD with an ULTREX and is more than enough. It allowed me to then put on 4 graphs, power poles, jack plate and a mega live which are absolutely critical down here ... KVD has been with Nitro his entire career since 1989 and it had nothing to do with them giving him a boat, same goes for EE ... not saying those other brands aren't good but their base price is out of control ...
I loved my Z18. It’s a great boat. Only reason I got a new Skeeter is because I wanted a 21, and I like the Skeeter storage better. It’s in the shop now, getting all of the electronics and gadgets mounted and working, installing a FFS turret, etc. If I had originally bought the z20 or 21, I doubt I’d have traded, because the 18 is a great boat, just not big enough to be comfortable with my wife, son and myself all fishing on it. Not that my son fishes with me much now. Since I gave him the Z18, he always wants to be out on that as his high school league starts. No time for dad anymore at 16! Not a ton anyway! Sorry, rambling because of nostalgia of him being a child and wanting to be nowhere else but on a fishing deck with me.
I bought a used 2021 z19 last November. Got everything legal and taken care of during the winter and I’m getting some trips on it now that the ice is out. Can’t complain about the nitro at all it’s fantastic. It’s well optioned (passenger console, lights, stereo, passenger drawer, etc). Came with an ultrex 112 and a helix 12 (console) and helix 8 (bow). I’m going to make the switch to lithium as soon as these batteries give me grief and I may add a 12 up front to keep up with the trends.
I loved the Nitro my brother used to have. Wasn’t the fastest, but it had everything set up perfectly and it rode so smooth. And it was no slouch by any means. It definitely was closer to the fastest boats than it was the slowest boats in the field.
Nice set up Mikey. Definitely got a few ideas for tweaking mine. Very envious of those big powerpoles. At the end You talked about the switch to get power to the cranking battery. Are you running a lithium or Agm for the cranking? I don’t think the powerpro charge had 6 outputs. How do you get juice to all of them?
I almost bought a z21 this winter, but went with a new Skeeter instead. It just got delivered to the dealer monday, where they are now installing my electronics, power poles, three 100AH Lithium’s, and a few other upgrades I bought. Can’t wait to use it in April for our first tournament. I still love my Z18, but I just didn’t like the new models as much as I like the Skeeter. The z18 is sticking around, my Son is fishing in high school league, so im giving it to him to fish for that. It’s been a great boat though, if it was bigger (my fault, should have bought the 20or 21 instead. Tldr I love my Z18, but I think the new Skeeter is a better boat for me.
Hey, Mike - was there a reason you didn’t go with a Z21? I’m also thinking about using my 2nd rod locker for additional tackle. I see a lot of guys doing that the way you did.
In my opinion the z21 is just too much of a boat for me I fish alone a lot and and I prefer something a little bit more maneuverable and lighter. Plus the 250 on the 20 and I think on the it's definitely not going to be as quick
Hopefully they have fixed their trailer quality issues. Every Nitro Owner i know has had issues with welds, and the customer service has not been good.
So I've had zero issues with the new touch screen and frankly I love it a lot more than the touchpad that was on my 2022 it's much more responsive I can use it with gloves on I have heard about them going out from time to time but it is so much easier to used in the version on my last year's boat
@@mikeybalzzthanks! I just bought a Z20 and have not taken it out yet. I happen to have the same colors you have! I just wish I can catch them like you do. 😂
They are nice boats but the closed tubing steel trailers are junk if you plan to keep a boat for 5 years or longer. They rust out from the inside out. C channel steel trailers are way better !
Great touches MikeyBalzz 👌, the z20 is loaded w goodies.I was woundering about the co angler rod pocket,as i bring a gear bag,and 5 rods max for co angler gear, do you ever have a co angler? Or do you lend rods to your bros and broets to do some fishing. When you throw down in team clean up,or got swimsuit 🩱 Girl?
@mikeybalzz sweet MBRF! I did 1 event in a z19,and it worked out sweet, I only bring 4 rods for Okeechobee and a few 3700 sized boxes. It works out well. If you power fish, im ulocking the potential of the swimming worm,traps,punching,and the ole chatter donk! I mix it up with a few other things. If it's not working, I learned that versatility is key to getting those critical bites. Seen you do good at Stick Marsh, slowing down and working them stump rows! Way to go, homie! 💥🎣✌️
Bro I’m pretty sure we are all done caring about yalls boats . We get it , you need all the new tech . I miss back in that day when you had your tracker and just fished . Now your just a tool
Been here since your old aluminum boat with the carpet coming up. Great videos then. Great videos now
Thanks for hanging around!
That's going to be my 1st new boat. Price and options are a big selling point for me. Yes I've heard bad things about the electronic panel, they go out all the time.
That's a good looking boat! Great walkthrough!
Congrats bro! I’m a Skeeter guy but I’m becoming a whatever is best on my pocket guy but I also have 15 ft Talons 😂
Amen! I traded my old Skeeter in looking for a new one. Turns out, they had nothing that wasn’t full msrp !
Turns out they did have a boat on the lot that was a 2023….so now I’m a Ranger guy! Saved a ton.
You're exactly right. Most guys spend $80-90k on the boat name and then can't really afford to put all the tools on it to help them catch more fish. The boat doesn't help you catch more fish, it's all the extras you put on it. I don't fish big water so my Z-18 Pro with a 150 comes STD with an ULTREX and is more than enough. It allowed me to then put on 4 graphs, power poles, jack plate and a mega live which are absolutely critical down here ... KVD has been with Nitro his entire career since 1989 and it had nothing to do with them giving him a boat, same goes for EE ... not saying those other brands aren't good but their base price is out of control ...
I loved my Z18. It’s a great boat. Only reason I got a new Skeeter is because I wanted a 21, and I like the Skeeter storage better.
It’s in the shop now, getting all of the electronics and gadgets mounted and working, installing a FFS turret, etc.
If I had originally bought the z20 or 21, I doubt I’d have traded, because the 18 is a great boat, just not big enough to be comfortable with my wife, son and myself all fishing on it. Not that my son fishes with me much now. Since I gave him the Z18, he always wants to be out on that as his high school league starts. No time for dad anymore at 16! Not a ton anyway!
Sorry, rambling because of nostalgia of him being a child and wanting to be nowhere else but on a fishing deck with me.
The ol Bob's. I'm getting the Bob's hydraulic breakaway being I'm in the rivers more than the big lake . Haha, Awesome looking boat BRAH 💪
I bought a used 2021 z19 last November. Got everything legal and taken care of during the winter and I’m getting some trips on it now that the ice is out. Can’t complain about the nitro at all it’s fantastic. It’s well optioned (passenger console, lights, stereo, passenger drawer, etc). Came with an ultrex 112 and a helix 12 (console) and helix 8 (bow). I’m going to make the switch to lithium as soon as these batteries give me grief and I may add a 12 up front to keep up with the trends.
Hell yeah man glad to hear you're finally breaking her in
I loved the Nitro my brother used to have. Wasn’t the fastest, but it had everything set up perfectly and it rode so smooth. And it was no slouch by any means. It definitely was closer to the fastest boats than it was the slowest boats in the field.
Long way from the old Tracker you used to fish from .
U got that right!
You got this thing rigged up dude ! Sweet setup man
Awesome rig! Love the color!! What kind of sunglasses are you wearing? Are they blenders? I like them! I have a blue triton…my favorite color!
Costa glasses ?
Nice set up Mikey. Definitely got a few ideas for tweaking mine. Very envious of those big powerpoles.
At the end You talked about the switch to get power to the cranking battery. Are you running a lithium or Agm for the cranking?
I don’t think the powerpro charge had 6 outputs. How do you get juice to all of them?
Nice detailed breakdown🤘🏻
I almost bought a z21 this winter, but went with a new Skeeter instead. It just got delivered to the dealer monday, where they are now installing my electronics, power poles, three 100AH Lithium’s, and a few other upgrades I bought. Can’t wait to use it in April for our first tournament. I still love my Z18, but I just didn’t like the new models as much as I like the Skeeter. The z18 is sticking around, my Son is fishing in high school league, so im giving it to him to fish for that. It’s been a great boat though, if it was bigger (my fault, should have bought the 20or 21 instead.
Tldr I love my Z18, but I think the new Skeeter is a better boat for me.
How did you cut your holes. I have the same rod straps and I need to cut my deck. IM SCARED 😱
Maybe you could get extension poles for your radar so you don’t have to look down all the time ! Good luck fishing.
Great information. Do you have a boat cover?
Congrats, you are set !!!!
I’ll stick to my tin warrior
I was gonna get a Nitro, but instead opted to get a Falcon. I love the Nitro though
She’s clean 🧼
Hey, Mike - was there a reason you didn’t go with a Z21? I’m also thinking about using my 2nd rod locker for additional tackle. I see a lot of guys doing that the way you did.
In my opinion the z21 is just too much of a boat for me I fish alone a lot and and I prefer something a little bit more maneuverable and lighter. Plus the 250 on the 20 and I think on the it's definitely not going to be as quick
Mikey you didn’t by chance do a video on the rod strap installation, did you?
I don't think so basically we cut a hole in the deck on each side so we can mount them flush because they wouldn't fit in the gunnel in the gunnel
My husband is the fisherman, but I love Bogs. I would love a Bogs t-shirt, tank top, towel, coozie...anything Bogs. Keep on licking!
Thanks!
Hey bro much appreciated 👊
That truly might be the baddest bass boat on the water right now!
Thanks Joe!
What other charger do you use besides the power pole to charge all 6 batteries?
Victron foe the paralleled batteries
🤙
@@mikeybalzz Thank you very mutch... have a nice day.... see you…. Greetings Jörg
Nice boat
Hopefully they have fixed their trailer quality issues. Every Nitro Owner i know has had issues with welds, and the customer service has not been good.
Mikey - have you ever had any problems with the touch pad? Did you but the extended warranty- premier I think it’s called?
So I've had zero issues with the new touch screen and frankly I love it a lot more than the touchpad that was on my 2022 it's much more responsive I can use it with gloves on I have heard about them going out from time to time but it is so much easier to used in the version on my last year's boat
@@mikeybalzzthanks! I just bought a Z20 and have not taken it out yet. I happen to have the same colors you have! I just wish I can catch them like you do. 😂
@@GizMarkthat's awesome man congratulations on the boat and have some fun when you get her out
Not a Nitro fan but the setup you are rocking is bad to the bone !
Appreciate the honesty man 👊
Is that JT's old house?
Are we gonna get another vid of you and JT tearing it up?
Just dropped 😅
They are nice boats but the closed tubing steel trailers are junk if you plan to keep a boat for 5 years or longer. They rust out from the inside out. C channel steel trailers are way better !
Nitro Boats...definitely BAD...est!
Great touches MikeyBalzz 👌, the z20 is loaded w goodies.I was woundering about the co angler rod pocket,as i bring a gear bag,and 5 rods max for co angler gear, do you ever have a co angler? Or do you lend rods to your bros and broets to do some fishing. When you throw down in team clean up,or got swimsuit 🩱 Girl?
I have somebody fishing with me from time to time the co-angler rod organizer is decent it's a little bit clunky with the angles but it does the job
@mikeybalzz sweet MBRF! I did 1 event in a z19,and it worked out sweet, I only bring 4 rods for Okeechobee and a few 3700 sized boxes. It works out well. If you power fish, im ulocking the potential of the swimming worm,traps,punching,and the ole chatter donk! I mix it up with a few other things. If it's not working, I learned that versatility is key to getting those critical bites. Seen you do good at Stick Marsh, slowing down and working them stump rows! Way to go, homie! 💥🎣✌️
110,000
Just caught about 70lbs worth of bass last night.
I had a nitro. NOT the baddest boat
Let the man be proud of his boat. 😂
Don't care about somebody's boat...give me fish vids!
I do buddy I love watching bass boat vidoes
Show me the boats !
I love seeing how others set up their boats.
Why do you think you’re watching his videos? Because boat manufacturers support him and Bog.
Cool story don’t watch the video
Bro I’m pretty sure we are all done caring about yalls boats . We get it , you need all the new tech . I miss back in that day when you had your tracker and just fished . Now your just a tool
That's not a phoenix 😂
Well played 😂