tell me about your Z6

[wrat]

how do you like it? what dont ya like?

[theBaitBar]

What years? The Z6 have a couple different hull styles.

[wrat]

2011 or 2012

[jentrick]

Great both if a single fisherman..Load the boat down you'll have planing issues..Plan on buying 2 props one for summer and one for every other season.Wide decks fishes like a 19' boat.. Plenty of storage..If fishing 2 people the 115 is not enough power..Had mine for a lil over a year..Was glad to get rid of it.

[jokerjp]

I like my 2011 Z-6, I guess everyone has different needs. I do fish solo about 50% of the time, but I never have a problem with 2 guys in the boat getting up on plane. With 3 people it does struggle to get up, but once up runs just fine. Sure it might take 2-3 extra seconds with a 2nd guy, but that's not a deal breaker for me. Speed is not my thing, so I'm perfectly happy with a boat that runs 50-52 MPH with my normal load, and drops 2-3 MPH when I add a passenger.

Pros-
- Compact boat (fits well in my garage) shortest of any major manufacturer when tongue is folded away. This is the #1 reason I purchased the boat and not a Z-7
- Nice wide deck (and fairly long) front deck for fishing
-It's got a massive amount of storage
- It's a good value for the money
- I feel comfortable taking it to all but the biggest waters (thinking great lakes) in normal weather


Cons-
- I wish the console had a little more leg room.
- I wish the gas tank was 100% separated (vapors) from the front half of the hull or vented in a way that didn't end up with gas smell if I forget to open the rear hatch when storing it.
-It's a fishing boat, not a speed boat

With all of that said, if you are not space restricted for storage reasons, look a Z-7. For the price difference you get enough performance that it's likely worth the upgrade.

If you have specific questions just ask...happy to answer anything I can.

[wrat]

The garage thing is the whole reason I am considering a z6..I have a 640lx now and its just a bit small when out on Okeechobee...I dont want to put gas in a big ol 150 either
I had one of em before gas was almost $4 and filling it was not fun then

[jentrick]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by wrat &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The garage thing is the whole reason I am considering a z6..I have a 640lx now and its just a bit small when out on Okeechobee...I dont want to put gas in a big ol 150 either
I had one of em before gas was almost $4 and filling it was not fun then</td></tr></table>
I went fro a ProXS 115 to a ProXS 225 and the gas usage is almost the same.I use about 3 gallons more.

[NitroBoy8]

Ive got an 08 Z6 which is almost exact to the Z7's being a foot smaller. I personally dont like the storage setup of the newer ones. But have been in the new ones as well as mine. They ride well and handle surprisingly well in rough waters. But like someone mentioned, the biggest downfall is they are very under powered and struggle to get on plane when full. Get the biggest motor you can for it ( I think a 135 is all you can have). With a full tournament load they definitely struggle to get on plane and I have tried every configuration possible on both my 08 and my buddies 11. A hydrofoil would probably solve that issue if you can get past the looks. Otherwise with a full tournament load and tank of gas with the wells full you usually have to have someone sit up front.

[TMG]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by NitroBoy8 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Ive got an 08 Z6 which is almost exact to the Z7's being a foot smaller. I personally dont like the storage setup of the newer ones. But have been in the new ones as well as mine. They ride well and handle surprisingly well in rough waters. But like someone mentioned, the biggest downfall is they are very under powered and struggle to get on plane when full. Get the biggest motor you can for it ( I think a 135 is all you can have). With a full tournament load they definitely struggle to get on plane and I have tried every configuration possible on both my 08 and my buddies 11. A hydrofoil would probably solve that issue if you can get past the looks. Otherwise with a full tournament load and tank of gas with the wells full you usually have to have someone sit up front.</td></tr></table>

Where are you tm batteries I have an 06 482, tm batteries (I have 24vlt) in front of center storage. I have no problem getting on plane. slows down a little with full everything and most of bass pro with us but it get right up.
I am also not a fan of the new lay out. I dont like the center rod storage. I keep my tackle in there and rods on the deck. With that layout and rods on the deck it would be hard to acsess the side storage JMO .

[NitroBoy8]

I also had my batteries in that front center area in front of the middle compartment. I moved them to the rear because I got tired of having to move everything in there to get to them when needed. I also didnt like how low the bow sat with the extra weight up there ( took waves over the bow too easily ). With them in the back the top end is definitely better as well.

On another note, If you can go bigger I would go for at least the Z7. Only reason I did not was because of storage issues, I could not fit the larger boat in my garage. I plan on moving soon and when I do I will be upgrading to a bigger boat.

[TMG]

Did you have a hard time getting on plane before you moved the batteries, just wondering.

[NitroBoy8]

Yep still did. ONLY with a full tournament load tho. When the livewells are full its just enough extra weight to make it struggle. When they are not full it shoots right up on plane. If you dont fish any major tournaments or if you dont use the livewells a ton, its a GREAT boat!

[juan gonzalez]

Though I own a Nitro X-5 (model 2009) with a Mercury 115 EFI, I like this topic very much. In my country you can’t hardly discuss about bassboats ‘cause we don’t have a bass-culture like you guys have. I know a Z-6 is not a X-5 but it has a lot of similarities. Maybe the main difference is the hull I gues.

I recognize almost all the pros and contras you guys describe. I do also have a bit of a plane problem. But my boat is heavy loaded with:
2 AGM 12V 105 Ah batteries (rear) 140 lbs;
1 cranking battery 12 V 74 Ah (rear) 40 lbs;
Terrova 80 lbs on bow.

When I go out fishing by myself, I don’t really have a plane problem. Some numbers:
At 3000 RPM it’s coming on plane in about 4-5 seconds.
WOT: 48 mph (GPS) at 5800-5900 RPM. That’s a bit low because the numbers for the Merc EFI are 6000-6400.

But…with a fishing buddy, 60% fuel and fishingtackle it’s much difficult to get on plane (about 10 seconds). RPM remains the same. WOT about 46 mph.

I raised the outboard one hole up. I’m also testing a new stainless prop. Right now I still have the alu 13 x 19 prop.

I’m very interested in the way you guys rigged your boats and the numbers you get.

This little movie shows the X-5 in action on a small Dutch river:
50 % fuel
2 persons
A lot of tackle !!
A lot of rain too (with makes the boat/carpet pretty heavy too).



Maybe we can share some pics, movies and experiances…

Thanks a lot!!

[theBaitBar]

I have a '08 Z6 with batteries in the rear. With a 125 it was a little slow getting out of the hole and add a full live well it it was slow. Nitro will retag your Coast Guard plate on all '08 Z6 models. They found these boats handle better with a larger motor. I had my retagged and now have a 150 and LOVE it. I think the storage is very good.

[NitroBoy8]

Will they really retag it? Was there any cost to you? I wonder how much it would cost to upgrade my 115 to a 150.

[juan gonzalez]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by theBaitBar &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I have a '08 Z6 with batteries in the rear. With a 125 it was a little slow getting out of the hole and add a full live well it it was slow. Nitro will retag your Coast Guard plate on all '08 Z6 models. They found these boats handle better with a larger motor. I had my retagged and now have a 150 and LOVE it. I think the storage is very good.</td></tr></table>

What are the main differences between the original Coast Guard plate and the new plate?

Maybe you guys like these links. Watch those outboards!!!

[theBaitBar]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by NitroBoy8 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Will they really retag it? Was there any cost to you? I wonder how much it would cost to upgrade my 115 to a 150. </td></tr></table>

New plate has a 150 rating. The Z6 originally had a 150 rating like the 482 but was lowered when the Z7 came out. Similar to what is happening now with the Z7 & Z8. No cost call customer service. IM me when you have a chance.

[wrat]

so it dropped from a 150 to a 115?

[TMG]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by wrat &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">so it dropped from a 150 to a 115?</td></tr></table>

That's what there web site says. I thought it droped to 130 .

[NitroBoy8]

Mine is rated for a max of 130. Spoke with tracker today and they told me I cannot get the plate changed to 150...