Nitro ZV20 (2021-)

Access More Boat Tests

Already have an account? Login

Forgot Password?

Password

Confirm password

Provide a password for the new account in both fields.

Boating Zip Code

Country

Boating Zip code

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and agree with the Privacy Policy & Terms of Use of BoatTEST.com.

Test Results

RPM	MPH	Knots	GPH	MPG	NMPG	STAT. MILE	NM	dBa
600	3.5	3	0.7	4.9	4.3	244	212.1	66.1
1000	5.6	4.8	1.4	4.1	3.6	204	177	67
1500	7.5	6.5	2.6	2.9	2.6	146	126.6	74
2000	8.8	7.7	4.1	2.1	1.9	106	92.4	78
2500	13.8	12	5.3	2.6	2.3	129	112.1	78
3000	24.5	21.3	6	4.1	3.6	204	177.2	80
3500	32.7	28.4	7.7	4.2	3.7	210	182.8	83
4000	37.4	32.5	10.7	3.5	3	174	151	82
4500	42.7	37.1	15.3	2.8	2.4	138	120	84
5000	46.9	40.7	17.4	2.7	2.3	134	116.2	86
5500	55.8	48.5	21.1	2.6	2.3	131	113.8	87
6000	60.5	52.6	24.4	2.5	2.2	123	106.6	88
6200	61.1	53.1	24.9	2.5	2.1	122	105.8	90

View the test results in metric units

Specifications

Length Overall	20'2" 6.15 m
Beam	8'4" 2.54 m
Dry Weight	2,900 lbs. 1,315.42 kg
Tested Weight	3,818 lbs. 1,731.82 kg
Draft	18" 46 cm
Deadrise/Transom	18 degrees
Weight Capacity	2,200 lbs. 997.9 kg
Person Capacity	6
Fuel Capacity	55 gallons 208.2 L
Total Weight	3,818 lbs. 1,731.82 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	2.1 seconds
0 to 30	6.4 seconds
Props	15.25 x 20
Load	2 persons; 60% fuel; 50 lbs. gear
Climate	72 deg.; 10 humid.; winds: 3-8; seas: 1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 300-hp Mercury XL Pro XS
Std. Power	1 x 225-hp Mercury XL Pro XS
Opt. Power	1 x 250-hp Mercury XL Pro XS 1 x 300-hp Mercury XL Pro XS

Captain's Report

Mission

The Nitro ZV20 is a formidable multi-species fishing boat that is sure to make a splash in the fishing industry. With her new aggressive Deep V Nitro Vortex Technology (NVT) Hull with rapid planing system (RPS), the ZV20 provides a true companion to the Walleye pros looking for a boat to provide that much-needed performance and functionality.

Major Features

Anti-Fatigue matting under bow carpeting.
Deep V Nitro Vortex Technology (NVT) performance hull with RAPID PLANING SYSTEM (RPS) transom.
Minn Kota Terrova 36V, 112-lb. (50.80 kg) thrust, 60" (1.52 m) composite shaft, foot-control trolling motor with Bluetooth & Universal Sonar 2.
New touchscreen switch panel with 1-touch boat controls including First Fish, Nite Mode, master power, trim, lighting, bilge, livewells and more.
10" (25.4 cm) R&R Design Slidemaster adjustable jack plate; 8" (20.32 cm) with 225-hp motor.
Attwood Centric X driver, passenger, fishing, & bike seats with shock-dampening core.
Custom factory-matched trailer with Vortex hubs, swing-away tongue & GALVASHIELD Impact corrosion protection.

Performance and Handling

The new ZV20 comes with Nitro’s new NVT performance hull with parabolic curves to the hull instead of straight strakes and the RPS (Rapid Planing System) transom for faster planing times. Based on our test, it works. With an average planing time of 2.1 seconds and passing all the way to 40 in just 8.9 seconds, she is not only fast but maneuvers like a dream. She gripped the water tightly in strong maneuvering and was very quick to respond to the throttle.

Nitro ZV20: Design

Nitro’s Vortex Technology (NVT) hull design contributes to the ZV20’s speed, lift and handling.

From what we felt, this new NVT hull helped deliver the ZV20’s fast hole shot, top-end speed and lift. The science says parabolic shapes are stronger than flat or angled surfaces, providing reduced resistance and truer tracking at higher speeds.

Boat Inspection

Bow

The Nitro ZV20 comes standard with a Minn Kota Terrova 36V, 112-lb. (50.80 kg) thrust, 60" (1.52 m) composite shaft, foot-control trolling motor with Bluetooth and Universal Sonar 2.

There are two sockets in the deck for taller or shorter fishermen that fit the standard bow bike seat with a hydraulic pedestal. A bonus standard feature on the ZV20 is the Anti-Fatigue matting below the bow and cockpit carpeting.

The bow casting platform comes with five storage compartments. The front two compartments, as well as the center, are vented with Nitro’s Ventilation system. The bow can come with an optional Garmin, Humminbird, or Lowrance graph up to 12” (30.48 cm). There is also an optional Kicker KMC1 Bluetooth stereo system for music fans who like to crank it up between runs.

On the starboard side of the bow casting well is a 10-gallon (37.85 L) insulated baitwell with a removable bucket.

To the port is an insulated cooler with a sandwich keeper to keep the day's lunch dry.

The center storage is a 3-Level center rod locker for rods up to 8’ (2.44 m) with tapered rod tubes to protect the rod tips.

Cockpit

The cockpit includes four pedestal seats and 25” (63.5 cm) high bulwarks for safety, 3’4” (1.01 m) long grab rails are mounted just inside the cap-rails and a mounting track system is on top. The seats are contoured, swivel and have flip-down hi-rise backrests. The seat bases are also narrowing at the back so it’s more comfortable to rotate the legs to the side without rotating the whole seat.

Adding more functionality is a pull-out between console storage locker that comes with two 3600 Plano tackle boxes.

The port console includes a 24” (60.96 cm) high windshield that wraps around to the side. There’s also a larger glovebox style compartment.

A small cubby is just above a cellphone holder with connectivity alongside.

Just below the passenger console is a footrest glove box with non-skid matting. Alongside that is the passenger rod handle organizer with a rod ramp and hold-down strap just aft.

Adding to the great fit-and-finish we always see from Nitro, there's a large integrated net holder on the passenger side with padding against the bulwark to prevent the net or anything else from damaging the boat. There are two stainless-steel beverage holders, one forward and one aft of the passenger side seat. The aft beverage holder includes an integrated tool holder and there is another one on the starboard side.

The helm console has a continuation of the wraparound windshield and a recess to the port side of the console will accommodate a ram-mounted display for one of 13 primary displays and 18 secondary choices. Additionally, the panel includes basic analog gauges and there's a SmartCraft gauge just to the right that provides selectable information on the engine and livewell statuses.

To the right of the steering wheel is Nitro’s Touch Screen Switch Panel Display for all the boat’s switching, with 1-touch mode controls including First Fish that fills the livewell and starts the aerator timer, second fish that repeats the process with the aft livewell, Night Mode that turns on the nav lights and dims the gauges, master power, trim, lighting, and bilge pumps among others.

The Throttle is positioned comfortably in relation to the armrest and the stereo control is just ahead. We would like to see the stereo controller in a more accessible and more easily viewable position.

The driver's console comes with lockable storage behind its non-skid footrest.

A hatch in the center of the deck lifts to expose the battery compartment and battery switch.

Our test boat came with the optional Cisco accessory-mounting track system, adding even more functionality to this multi-species boat.

The aft casting deck of the Nitro ZV20 allows for five lockable hatches underneath, four storage lockers and one 26-gallon (98.42 L) livewell with a bait bucket.

Walking aft, there is a 14” (35.56 cm) step that leads up to the 2’ x 6’6” (0.61 x 1.98 m) aft casting deck. There is a 4’ (1.21 m) gap between the port and starboard side casting decks that are 5’3” x 1’10” (1.60 x 0.56 m).

Both port and starboard quarter hatches come with lift-out, molded aft storage boxes that will each accept seven 3700 tackle trays.

The center storage locker is a 26-gallon (98.42 L) insulated GUARDIAN anti-slosh and rotomolded livewell with removable divider, bait bucket and rounded corners. Powering this livewell are two 750 GPH (2,839.06 LPH) recirculatory pumps with timers.

A hatch just ahead of the engine gives you access to the bilge and boat's fuel filters.

The Nitro ZV20 comes with its own custom-fit, tandem-axle Nitro Trailer with swing-up locking jack, heavy-duty winch and outboard motor support.

Options to Consider

Nitro offers many options and upgrades for the ZV20. From bow to stern, this boat can be made and customized to each individual fisherman from the numerous different options for graphs to the Bob’s Action Extreme hydraulic jack plate. The ZV20 supports 225, 250, and 300 Mercury Pro XS Fourstroke engine options for those fishermen who want more of an advantage on the water.

Price

Base: $57,795

Observations

While she's designed to be a walleye boat, the ZV20 easily has the compacity and functionality to work for a bass or trout fisherman, making her a true multi-species boat. Standard, she comes fully loaded but the options to choose from appease any fisherman. We liked the secure feeling you got sitting in the ZV20 between its space and high gunwales, and you feel safe bringing the family out for a day. Whether it be fishing or watersports, the Nitro ZV20 is a true contender in the boating world and would be a great addition to a fisherman’s fleet.

Related Boats

Bass Boats

Search For A New Boat