First Look: Nitro 898!!! (And other pictures from the Dealers Meeting!)

[Staci Matheis]

When they heard that I was in town, Women from all over Springfield flocked to be at my side and bring me cold drinks of Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper!

 

[Staci Matheis]

Ok..... OK..... OK..... Yeah..... I had to pay them $20 each to pose with me..... But it was worth it!



That's Sue D. on my right. As a show of friendship, she only took $10 and did give me a Dr. Pepper!



******************



The Patriot paint scheme on the Nitro's was such a success, that Tracker decided that this year they'd do something even MORE American than the old red, white and blue.....



NASCAR Nitro!!!

 

[Staci Matheis]

"I always run Guest Chargers on all my boats!"



There, Sue! MY endorsement oughta do something for sales.....

 

[Staci Matheis]

And HERE IT IS!!!!

The New Nitro 898!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Staci Matheis]

And THIS is the deck!

 

[Bob G.]

Nice pics Scott. I really like that deck! Looks like you could just hose it off and not have to wait a week for it to dry.



Bob G.

 

[Barry Loos]

Are they doing away with carpet? That might be a nice feature if it isn't slick.



Bear

 

[Staci Matheis]

Bear -



The boat is the old 896 slightly redesigned and renamed the 898. About a week ago, when I got back from Springfield, I posted a thread titled "New NX898 introduced for 2003!" This is how I described the boat in that thread.....



Tracker's literature describes it:



"The all new NX898 is the rig for the serious fisherman who fishes salt and fresh water. The NX898 is an excellent performer with a variation of the proven 896 running surface."



Basically, what I saw was Absolutely the Best Looking Bass & Bay Boat Ever! All the ammenities of the old NX896, with an updated hull AND a non-slip deck surface! The hull is 19'2" long with a 92" beam and rated for 200 hp. Graphics and colors appear to be the same as those available on previous NX series boats; although I would assume that the decks will all be the white I observed on the demonstration model.



I love the idea of the non-slip surface on the deck! Even if you never go near salt water, it would be so much easier to keep clean than carpeting. It has the appearance of a plain white gelcoat with white rubber sticky-dots covering the surface. What they actually are, I don't know - maybe Ken can tell us.



I only see one problem with the non-slip surface..... IF I were ever to own an NX898..... And IF I were ever to get that fishin' date with Mrs. Berryman..... And IF they happened to be playing Buddy Holly on the radio while we were out..... It would be pretty hard to do the jitter-bug on the front deck!



I can hear Penny singin' Buddy Holly now as she reads this..... "That'll be the da-ay, when I die!"



me!

 

[Staci Matheis]

You know that you're OLD when..........



Your Fantasies concerning Women are all about goin' Fishin' with 'em!

 

[Barry Loos]

I like the idea of the non-carpet deck. When I am in South Carolina I envey the charter fishermen and locals that just hose off the interior after a day of ocean fishing. Carpet may look good but it is a pain to keep up with the stains from muddy ramps, blood, chocolate, coffee, fish attractant, etc.



Guys that also use their boat for pleasure boating, or those that are really into boat appearance, might want the carpet. Guys like myself that use a boat as a tool, but require a clean boat, might like the carpetless deck.



If I ever upgrade boats I will certainly take that into consideration.



Also, I see no problem with women and fishing in the same fantasy. My fantasy woman can underhand cast a spinnerbait into a dixie cup at 35 yards, back the boat off and put it on the trailer at the ramp, take her own bass of the hook, and catch one less bass than me. All other qualities are just a bonus.



Bear

 

[JEFF WHITE]

scott,youre getting old when you see a good looking woman and she says she would love to go fishing with you,but she cant get off work,and all youre thinking is its 2 extra rods in the water!



been there,done that already!

 

[Staci Matheis]

Well, Bear..... Just like in real life..... Even in my fantasies I get out-fished by the women..... And ENJOY it!

 

[Staci Matheis]

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Anyone else notice that only one woman in that pic is shorter than Scott???

 

[Bob G.]

I thought Scott was standing on a box or something!!



Bob G.

 

[Staci Matheis]

It takes a might of self-confidence for a short, bald man to pose with taller women!



The petite lady is Cheryl from Tracker's Marketing Department. Every time I saw her, she had that big SMILE! Made even me, the gate crasher, feel welcome!



Thanks, Cheryl!



me!