What’s power got to do with it? You be the judge STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN TIGER, JR. MIKE ENGELMEYER W e had a chance to double up on Nitro’s midsized 591 bass boat when two models showed up for testing, so naturally we made the most of the situation. Nitro offers the 591 with a choice of 175 and 200 Mercury outboards, and the upgrade cost is just under three grand (including the hydraulic setback jackplate). Since we had two boats with different power options, we decided to see what the hull could really do, and what difference the added ponies make. FAST AND FASTER Our 175-equipped Nitro was set up conservatively, with no setback jackplate or ability to change engine height. With a 25-inch-pitch Mercury Tempest Plus propeller spinning at 5400 rpm, our best top speed was 63.6 mph. Handling at this speed was easy and secure, with no tendencies to chinewalk. With little effort we drove this rig at its maximum speed. If you pay some attention to the setup, a few more mph is easily within reach. Our 200-powered rig was an entirely different animal. This one was rigged and set up by Jaco’s Marine of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee (931/7626710; jacosmarine.com), a dealership with a penchant for wringing the most out of a bass boat. Equipped with a CMC hydraulic jackplate and swinging a 27-inch-pitch Mercury Trophy propeller, we maxed out at 76 mph (5700 rpm). Getting to 76 mph was one thing; keeping the Nitro there in changing water conditions was another. Up on the pad, with the jackplate raised and the trim extended, the Nitro’s driving characteristics asked for constant attention. The boat rides high on the pad so it’s easy for crossing waves, boat wakes or wind gusts to push it around. The boat is not unsafe by any means, but it did require a fair amount of skill to maintain top speed given our conditions. Nitro I591 Up front, the foot control for the Minn Kota trolling motor is recessed, a feature that is becoming common on many bass boats. Acceleration, as expected, was much more authoritative with the larger Mercury on the transom. Even with the larger prop, the 200 pushed the Nitro’s 19-foot hull to 30 mph in 6 seconds, which is more than 2 seconds quicker than with the 175. Midrange launch was stronger too; the 200 punched from 40 to 60 mph in 5 seconds, more than a second quicker than its little brother. The extra power and added setback really made the Nitro come alive. Fuel economy was very good on both rigs, though it’s no surprise the 175 is stingier. Both rigs hit their best stride in this department at 2500 rpm, where the 175 managed 6.9 mpg and 25.7 mph. The 200 cruised at 28.9 mph while obtaining 6.1 mpg, which is still excellent. Average 52 IBWBmag.com I October 2007 mileage across the entire operating range was 5.1 mpg for the 175 versus 4.5 mpg for the 200. In my book, the extra speed, acceleration and power of the 200 more than outweigh the loss in economy, even with fuel at three bucks per gallon. I’ll give up half a mile per gallon average to gain almost 13 mph any day of the week! When it comes to handling, this is one cool Nitro. It planes effortlessly with both power options. With the trim level, we noticed that the ride was smooth and secure, even when pounding across boat wakes. This Nitro turned well, too; we carved tight-radius turns with confidence and had a lot of fun testing the boat’s capabilities. It’s an exciting ride that gives excellent wheel feedback at all speeds. Upon full power-off, the Nitro doesn’t take on backwash over the transom. I hate it when the aft deck gets soaked every time the boat comes off plane. Even with the extra weight of the 200 and the added setback, the aft deck stays dry. The difference between the engines isn’t just the 25 ponies. Merc uses its 3.0L block for the 200 and the 2.5L powerhead for the 175. This change means the centersection and gearcase are also different, as are the gear ratios (1.75:1 for the 200 and 1.87:1 for the 175). The extra heft (exaggerated by the setback) of the 200 is felt on the Nitro’s transom; the boat settles slightly deeper in the water while at rest. With the 200-powered Nitro, we had to adjust the trim, jack and throttle positions to obtain the best balance of speed, ride and control—it was worth the effort. WHAT IT’LL COST YOU Both Nitros retail for right around $30,000 complete with trailer and propeller, and for the money, it’s a lot of boat. This Nitro, like the Z-9 we recently tested (“Nitro on Nitrous,” April), is built very well, based on the observations we made at the test site. It also comes packed with handy features and details. The hulls and decks are hand-laid and there’s no wood to rot because the transom and stringers are foam-filled fiberglass. The seats are fully padded and cushioned—without being too soft. The livewell and storage locker lids are all very firm and fit well together. The helm on the Nitro 591 is pretty conventional; everything is within the driver’s site and reach. Note the trim switch located on the steering wheel column, a nice safety feature. The rubrail is installed perfectly, with no dips or gaps between it and the deck and hull joint. The gelcoat on both boats is nicely applied, the color schemes are distinctive and striking without being gaudy, and the in-gel metalflake graphics and striping are straight, true and without sags or fuzzy edges. Design-wise, the Nitro offers a hull capable of very strong rough-water performance and good top speed. For a 19-footer, it’s fast enough to stay with many of the larger hulls, and cuts through the wind chop and boat wakes with a V-pad, multiple-straked hull that features a reverse angle transom (which helps keep the aforementioned backwash to a minimum). FOR ANGLERS ONLY The foredeck on this Nitro is large and flat, without anything to trip up or crowd anglers. There’s enough room for two to fish up front and still remain friends. A plethora of trolling motor options is available, but the standard 24-volt MotorGuide (motorguide.com) is probably enough for most anglers. There’s a standardissue bow panel with all the necessary controls, and the deck layout includes a long, deep rod locker on the port side and a matching carpeted dry storage compartment to starboard. The center compartment features more dry storage, and there’s a dualcooler compartment that’s covered by a nifty step up to the foredeck. The 591’s driver console is modular and bolts in after the boat is assembled. You can also add a passenger console. The console felt solid when we used it to pull ourselves up and out from the driver’s seat, using the steering wheel for leverage. The dash is equipped with all the requisite gauges, which are placed in good view of drivers of average height. Our 200-powered model was also equipped with a T-H Marine Hot Foot throttle (thmarine.com) and a Teleflex Pro Trim switch for the power trim. If you like to go fast, consider a Dual Pro Trim switch assembly (teleflexmarine.com) so you Nitro 591 (175 hp) Nitro 591 (200 hp) Base Price: $27,195 Price As Tested: $27,195 Top Speed: 63.6 mph 0-to-30 mph: 8.2 seconds Engine Tested: Mercury OptiMax 175 Type: Two-cycle spark DFI Displacement: 2.5L (153 cid) Weight (per mfg.): 431 lbs. Recommended WOT RPM: 5250-5750 Gear Ratio: 1.87:1 Propeller: 145⁄8x25” Mercury Tempest Plus through-hub 3-blade SS w/ 1⁄2” vent plugs in two holes Jackplate: None Setback: None Base Price: $28,820 Price As Tested: $30,720 Top Speed: 76.0 mph 0-to-30 mph: 6.0 seconds Engine Tested: Mercury OptiMax 200 Type: Two-cycle spark DFI Displacement: 3.0L (186 cid) Weight (per mfg.): 497 lbs. Recommended WOT RPM: 5000-5750 Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Propeller: 143⁄8x27” Mercury Trophy Plus through-hub 4-blade SS WEATHER CONDITIONS: WEATHER CONDITIONS: Air Temperature: Water Temperature: Wind: Water Conditions: Air Temperature: Water Temperature: Wind: Water Conditions: 62F 62F 10 mph 4-6 inch hcop Jackplate: Setback: CMC hydraulic 51⁄2” 62F 62F 10 mph 4-6 inch hcop TEST RESULTS TEST RESULTS Engine Speed Fuel Range1 (rpm) (mph) (gph) (mpg) (miles) 1000 5.7 0.9 6.0 234 1500 6.7 1.9 3.6 138 2000 7.3 3.6 2.0 78 25002 25.7 3.8 6.9 265 3000 34.2 5.1 6.7 257 3500 40.5 6.1 6.6 257 4000 46.7 7.5 6.2 241 4500 53.4 12.9 4.2 161 5000 59.5 12.9 4.6 179 5400 63.6 15.7 4.1 157 1 Based on 90% fuel capacity 2 Optimum cruise speed Engine Speed Fuel Range1 (rpm) (mph) (gph) (mpg) (miles) 1000 5.3 0.9 5.9 228 1500 6.3 2.1 3.0 116 2000 7.2 4.8 1.5 58 25002 28.9 4.7 6.1 238 3000 34.5 6.8 5.1 196 3500 43.8 7.6 5.8 223 4000 50.6 10.3 4.9 190 4500 58.9 11.0 5.4 207 5000 66.7 15.1 4.4 171 5500 75.1 19.5 3.9 149 5700 76.0 19.9 3.8 148 1 Based on 90% fuel capacity 2 Optimum cruise speed October 2007 IBass & Walleye Boats I53 Nitro I591 opening of all the compartments to keep water out. The rear access compartment houses the oil reservoir and batteries, and allows access to the fuel tank, pumps and all the hoses, wires and cables. The above-deck rigging is tidy and orderly. The jack, hydraulic steering and engine cables and wiring are neatly routed from the deck cap to the engine cowl, and covered with plastic sheathing. AND THE DECISION GOES TO... If you’re stuck being the back-seater, you’ll appreciate the lids over the 34-gallon divided livewells. They’re solid and don’t flex when you walk on them. can adjust the jack and trim without removing your hands from the wheel. The aft deck is also laid out in traditional fashion, with a 34-gallon divided livewell positioned just behind the cockpit. Behind the livewell, the dry storage compartments are nicely finished and the lids close tightly. There’s a thick rubber seal around the I’m partial to power and speed. So, for the extra three bills, the Jaco’s-rigged hull and added juice is worth every penny. It’s hard to beat the extra speed and increased power; jumping from the low 60s to the mid 70s and adding the convenience and safety factors of the jackplate, foot throttle and hydraulic steering turn this sub-20 footer into a real performance machine. For experienced drivers who can handle the excitement, the 200-hp package is the only way to fly. BWB Nitro 591 Construction: Console Type: Length: Beam: Hull Weight:. Rigged Weight: . Trailered Weight: Fuel Capacity: Livewell Capacity: Maximum Horsepower: Fiberglass Single 18’ 7” 7’ 10” 1550 lbs. 2050 lbs. 3180 lbs. 43 gals. 34 gals. 200 Standard Equipment as Tested: 24-volt MotorGuide trolling motor; fire extinguisher; multifunction gauges; dual-cable steering; Lowrance X86 fishfinder; 34-gallon livewell Nitro Boats Dept. BWB 2500 E. Kearney St. Springfield, MO 65803 417/873-4555 nitroboats.com