On test day, the Nitro X-4 sat like the Maytag repairman at the dock while the bass jockey’s and speed freaks jumped into the hot-rocket Zs with triple-digit horsepower. When I stood over the X-4, I wondered why it got ignored.
At 17 feet, its deck space was ample for at least three anglers. Its gelcoat glowed thanks to an optional metal-flake accent. Like other bass boats, this one had plush carpet, and when I stepped aboard, it kept the sound of footsteps in the boat instead of transmitting them to the fish. I’m no chipmunk in size, and yet the boat held its stance, giving me a secure feeling as I stepped from gunwale to gunwale and from bow to stern. Anglers could easily walk around in this boat for ideal casting positions. Livewells, electronics, trolling-motor batteries — even a built-in charger are all standard. This boat was fish ready.
So I turned the key on the 50-horse outboard and slipped the dock lines from the stainless-steel cleats. Fifty horsepower? On a fiberglass bass boat? The boat idled steadily out of the no-wake zone and, when I pushed the throttle forward, it stepped onto plane smartly in 3.7 seconds. Top speed was surprising and beautifully fishable in the 30s. Sure, the X-4 isn’t a performance bass rig ready to take on the FLW or Bassmasters Classic, but it proved itself capable of carrying two or three buddies to their favorite bass or crappie holes in fiberglass style.
Key Note: Standard equipment includes depth finder, trolling motor, two batteries, an on-board charger and a trailer.
Standout Features
• Aft storage compartments are lined with removable molded storage tubs to make it easy to move gear back to the house at day’s end.
• MotorGuide trolling motor is standard with the X-4, along with two batteries.
• Color-coordinated single-axle trailer with a swing-away tongue is standard.
• Livewells are ample for active angling and buddy tournaments.
Vital Stats
* Length Overall: 17’4″
* Beam: 90″
* Dry Weight: 1,300 lb.
* Seating/Weight Capacity: 3/1,100 lb.
* Fuel Capacity: 26 gal.
* Maximum HP: 60
* MSRP (test boat w/ Mercury 50 hp two-stroke): $14,995
* NMMA Certified: Yes
Test Drive
* Test Engine: Mercury 50 hp two-stroke
* Test Prop: 10.5 x 13, aluminum
* Test Load: People (235 lb.); Fuel (20 gal.)
* Minimum Planing Speed: 15.1 mph @ 3,500 rpm
* Top Speed: 30.5 mph @ 5,500 rpm
* Time to Plane: 3.7 sec.
