Hi all

I hope you had a great Christmas!

My wife has given me the go ahead to find a newer bass boat and i have been watching craiglists for all the major areas in the midwest.

i have a budget of about 23k and have been hoping for a nice 20-21ft 200hp (merc or yamaha) Skeeter, Nitro,Triton. I came across this Z7 at a dealer that has under 25hrs and has full factory warranty. With the HB upgrades and powerpole it seems like a fair price. I can justify the over budget price by having full warranty. As much as i might want the bigger boat size its not an absolute must.

I was hoping some of you more experienced bassboat owners could have a look at and see what you think...I will be talking to the on Wednesday and would like to be better prepared with your feedback. I have a an i-pilot terrova that i would probably have put on it and the only other wants would be possibly a jackplate and hotfoot.

I always get solid advice here....I look forward to your input on setup and price.

http://www.proschoicemarine.com/Page.aspx/diid/7325500/list/InventoryList/pageId/66113/view/Details/2011-Nitro-Z-Series-Z-7.aspx

Regards;

einsteins

Nice boat, good electronics and a power pole. Just have to make sure you can live with a shorter boat???

Jeff

Thanks 00 mod

Do you think the price is fair for the package?

I like the warranty. The elctronics are a good $3000 with mounts, plus the power pole. I think it is a good price, but you know they have some wiggle room. I would never pay asking price! Make sure you ask about a prop as well. There isn't one on it in the pics, and they can run you a couple hundred bucks! Let us know how it goes, and get others opinions as well. Fishing Rhino had that same year I believe Z7 and just upgraded to a Z8. Hopefully he will chime in!

Jeff

I think it's a good price. The base price on a 2011 Z-7 that I've seen at the BPS in Foxboro, MA ran 24 - 25 thousand. Add another 600 for the cover if it's a Nitro ratchet strap, at least 3 grand for the electronics and another two grand for the power pole, and you've pushed it to over 30,000. If you have hydraulic steering, and trailer brakes, that's a few hundred more. Couldn't tell from the photos if it had those two options.

One thing I don't like. The way the console mount for the Humminbird is set. It may be the perspective in the images, but it looks like the unit overhangs the rail. If it does, it's vulnerable to docks, bulkheads, pilings etc. It should be inboard a few inches so the rail of the boat takes the bump. You should be able to adjust it to a protected position with that mount.

the other thing is the arm of the mount is horizontal. Even if it is the two inch ball, you'll need to make sure it is really tight. That's a lot of leverage on the ball and socket joints if you're pounding through a chop. Ideally, that type of mount should be as nearly vertical as possible.

It should do sixty mph, maybe a tic more. My '09 Z-7's fastest on the GPS was 58.7 mph. That was with a Merc 150 EFI. The Optimax should be good for another couple of mph. It has the rapid planing system, so it should get up on plane quickly. My major gripe with the '09 version was that it was sluggish getting up on plane.

I like the colors. Hmmmm, I wonder why? I think the price is right. When I traded in my '09, the BPS was asking 21,000 for it. Don't know what they finally got for it.

The storage is great. Both rod lockers can handle eight foot rods. I have fifteen combos in my starboard locker. I could put another fifteen in it and still have room for more. I'd hate to have to get at a rod on the bottom.

I think you'll be well satisfied with it.

Fishing Rhino

That is awesome feedback.....it doesnt look like it has a jackplate, what are your thoughts on this boat / setup having a jackplate?

I have never used a hotfoot but it seems like a staple on most boats i have looked at in my search.

It says it has a ss prop and hydrolic stearing, not sure on brakes.

Thanks again....

I didn't have a jackplate on my Z-7. The hydraulic steering is a nice option for the Z-7. Don't know if it's the same with the new style hull, but mine had cable steering and the motor pulled to one side until you got up to about fifty, then, for whatever reason the "pull" vanished. With hydraulic, the motor cannot turn until you turn the wheel.

I cannot help with the hotfoot. I've never had one. Do a google search on hotfoot reviews and you should get the pros and cons.

Hyd steering is a big plus as is a ss prop. I would highly recommend you have the hotfoot added, the safety issue alone is reason enough. Installed is only a few hundred dollars. After you operate a boat with a hotfoot you will not operate one w/o it. I am really surprised they sell a bass boat w/150hp without one installed. I'm sure the dealer would  install one to make the sale...................Al

I am going to try and get $1000 less than they are asking with a Bigfoot and 10" jackplate (manual) included. I think that might be a good fair starting point for negotiations.

I did some reading and most everything mirrors what Al said above.

Guess I need to research what size jackplate is best...

One other thing I'd suggest.  If it doesn't have one, get a Keel Guard installed.   

Definitely research the jackplate and see what works best on that boat, 10 inches is a lot of setback, but could be perfect for it?

Agree with others, if you have the opportunity, hydraulic steering and a hotfoot are the best and most useful additions you can make.  Makes boat operating so much easier and safer.  

Super sharp looking boat and as said before, the electronics and power pole are big pluses! 

One other thing I'd suggest.  If it doesn't have one, get a Keel Guard installed.   

 

Good advice...............................Al

After some reading it looks like a huge majority of z7 owners who are using them are using 6 inch jack plates.

Just wanted also thank all who contributed to my thread....you have been extremely helpful as always.

It really is a great community here!

Einsteins

Well

 

I GOT THE BOAT!

 

I am very excited.

 

2011 Z7 Full Factory warranty on boat and Motor

Hydralic steering

Hot Foot

SS Prop

Keel Guard

They recomended agains a Jackplate ( I can add if needed)

Power Pole

Humminbird 958 on Bow

Humminbird 1198 at console

2 batteries for my 24 Volt Terrova

2 Batteries in series for Cranking and electronics

4 bank charger

Nitro trailerable cover

Single axel Trailer with surge brakes

Fold away tongue

Spare tire.

 

I think I am going to have them add Blinker style trim at the Steering wheel and possibly at the transom.

 

Any other accessories that you think I should add to this package?

 

I am picking it up on Saturday...

 

MAN....Spring cant get here fast enough now!

 

eins

So jealous. Congrats buddy.

Congrats on the new boat. Hope it serves you well.

The blinker style trim switch is very nice to have so you don't need to remove your hands from the wheel when driving. Trim at the transom is not necessary because it is on the motor, which can be reached from the transom. A trim switch at the bow is very nice. It allows you to trim the motor if you are in shallow water and operating the trolling motor(or any time you are on the bow). The bow switch  is usually standard equipment.

Good luck with the new boat..................................Al

Thanks Al....I wondered if the motor had trim on it....I hate trying to get the transom saver lined up by running back and forth between throttle handle and motor like I have to do on my current boat.

The boat does have trim on the bow, confirmed that.

 

Thanks again! everyone here is always so helpful.

Nice boat einstein. Do you mind me asking what you upgraded from?

Congrats on your "new" boat.  It should give you many years of troublefree service if you treat her right.  All that is left for you to do is take her out and make many happy memories.

Congrats i hope it serves you well

Nice boat einstein. Do you mind me asking what you upgraded from?

Last year I bought a 1990 trackerTF1800...it was one of the early fiberglass tracker boats, kind of the forefather of the nitros. It has a 1988 Mercury 115hp straight 6 (tower of power) runs fantastic!

Did some upgrades and tested the waters for how much I would like/use a bass boat.

I paid 2200.00 for it and definitely got my moneys worth from it. It will make a great starter b9at for Simone when I sell it this spring.

I bought this boat because I absolutely loved it and wanted some more current technology.

Wow, I can't even imagine how excited you must be! I looked at some pics of the Tracker. Nice boat, but the before/after pics of your boating situation are pretty amazing. Congrats!

Question, is when you gonna get the new on wet? I remember the day I bought mine, it wasn't until 6pm (September) that we finally drove it away...we made a stop by the house grabs some rods, two boxes of lures, and two pepsi colas, and we drove to the ramp. We only had about an hour an a half of day light...but I was,like a little kid on Christmas morning..lol

Not sure when I can get it out on the water as we are in winter here in Iowa, I need to find out if its winterized. You can bet first warm day that bad boy is going to get wet....

 

It is 6 hours to where the dealer is so I am leaving tomorrow afternoon so I can pick it up on Saturday morning and drive back.

 

I need to work on upgrading the front Fishfinder to a unit that has Sidescan...thinking 898c. Will probably put the 958 up for sale.

 

Thanks eveyone for the advice and kind words...great community here on these boards!!!

 

I will post picks once I get a chance to take some.

 

eins

Sweet boat man. I like the trim at the transom but its really more of a luxury so I wouldn't pay too much $ for it.