Nitro’s Z20 XL Pro is a pure fishing machine, built to get to the fish quickly. Rigged with a Mercury 250 Pro XS outboard and 23-inch-pitch Mercury Fury propeller, our testing produced a top speed just under 75 mph at 6,250 rpm. Testing was conducted in high winds and whitecaps, so we’d expect up to 3 more mph running in calmer conditions.
The Nitro was dialed in for top speed, but acceleration didn’t seem to suffer. We rocketed to plane in 3.6 seconds, and 30 mph in 5.4 seconds. It’s not bad when it’s time to fill the tank either. A best cruise of 34-plus mph and 3,500 rpm yields 4.7 mpg—good for a 211-mile range from the 50-gallon tank (leaving 10 percent in reserve).
The Z20 XL is a performance package, and it drives and handles like one; speeds above 60 mph require experienced drivers and close attention. The standard Bob’s Machine Shop hydraulic jack plate and foot throttle make it endlessly entertaining to eke out that last mile per hour and learn its handling traits, but the Z20 XL is capable of more than many drivers will be able to wring out.
The bow casting platform is padded to reduce fatigue, and our tester featured a Garmin EchoMap 93sv with a LiveScope Plus system gimbal-mounted to the bow. A second EchoMap was flush-mounted in the driver’s console. A Minn Kota Ultrex 36-volt trolling motor is standard. Twin rod-storage lockers handle rods up to 8 feet long, flanking a center storage locker with Nitro’s tackle management system.
The driver and copilot sit comfortably on Nitro’s Z-Core seating system with Force Flex seat suspension and roto-molded seat frames. The step up to the bow deck features a built-in 62-quart insulated cooler with a removable trash container and snap-in sandwich tray. A portside rod ramp keeps often-used rods handy and secure with an organizer and hold-down strap.
Twin 19-gallon aerated, roto-molded livewells with rounded corners and timed aerators keep fish safe. Aft deck lockers have lift-out, roto-molded boxes to stow tackle boxes. There is excellent access to the batteries, chargers and plumbing.
High Points
- Foot throttle, power trim and a jack plate are standard, plus controls on the steering wheel.
- Multifunction 5-inch touchscreen switching and engine data.
- Z-Core seating with Flex seat suspension adds comfort.
- Timed aerated livewells.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 250 Pro XS FourStroke outboard
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Fury 14″ x 23″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 38 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $68,995 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 20’2″ |
| Beam: | 7’10” |
| Draft: | 1’4″ |
| Dry Weight: | 2,000 lb. (without engine) |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 4/575 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 50 gal. |
Nitro Boats – Springfield, Missouri; nitro.com
