Last week while banging around on a windy Kentucky Lake my friend Dave decided he wanted a big water rig for his retirement boat in a couple years. We were fishing from his Nitro Z8, which is a 20' boat. While that is a big boat by most standards, not so much on a big lake when the wind is howling.

My question is how much more water will the Z522D draw than a traditional rig. I have not seen one other than pictures and videos. It appears that most of the depth difference is above the water line. Dave is a shallow water specialist and if it sets much deeper it would be a deal breaker. Has any of you guys seen this boat in the water or fished from one?

Edit: You would think as long as I've been around this site I would post in the correct spot...evidently not. Mods please move this for me. Thanks.

The width of the bottom will offset the extra draft. That hull is relatively light for an almost 23' boat. I would bet it wouldn't draw much more than a 20' bass boat. Redlinerobert was looking into them. He may have some more info

That's what I think also Slone. Being a little higher would take a little getting used to, but for the greater comfort and stability on rough water it might be worth the trade-off. We were beat up enough over the course of the week that a bigger boat sounded pretty good. Of course the sticker shock for the 522D would kill a normal fisherman. Dave is not a normal fisherman though...

For the areas I fish (CA Delta and some private lakes) I need a boat that can get into skinny water.  The 522D is not built for that.  It's half walleye boat/half bass boat. 

Robert do you have any idea how much deeper it rides in the water than the standard 2014 model?

I do not.  There's a picture of the two side by side somewhere on the internet.  It's pretty apparent how much taller the 522D is.  To me it doesn't even look like a bass boat. 

It is basically a bass cap on a multi species boat. It appears that most of the greater depth is above the water. I would love to fish from one to see how being several inches higher effects fishing. Thanks Redline.

If you manage to fish on a 522D, I'd love to hear your opinions on it.