New Boat Purchase

[JDGII]

I'm new to the wakeboard/wakesurf boats and have been looking at them over the last month. All the major brands seem to be good quality, but I have narrowed it down to Tige ZX3 or Supra SL. A couple of notable differences are Tige has the extra PNP in back compartments versus Supra. The Supra salesperson said I would need 1000 pounds of lead especially when surfing. Supra has extra storage up front with ballast subfloor. The Tige comes with 440 engine vs Supra with 400. Also, I have read some negative things about Tige, but I have talked with several service managers at dealers who sell both brands and the responses from them are that both boats have similar service issues and both of high quality. I am leaning toward the Tige, but wanted some opinions from you all who have a lot of experience with these boats.
Thanks

[JDGII]

Let me ask a couple of things differently. Is there an advantage to “extra” weight coming with the PNP bags included vs having to add a lot of lead bags? Any thoughts to how the two brands stack up against each other. I’m looking at 2021. The Supra is around $10k more comparably equipped. Any opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks

[sandm]

fwiw both are boats I would be happy to own. I am assuming you are looking at dealer stock boats not custom order(as either can be spec'ed with larger powerplants) so for us it would come down to which one had the better interior for us personally and which one was a color that we could live with. both boats will surf out of the gate but as your skill levels progress and you get to know them, both boats will benefit from additional weight whether it be lead or larger sacs.
both boats are amazing. both boats might have service issues. both boats will throw a great surf or wakeboard wave. both boats should have years of family memories ahead.

in other words, buy the one that you guys sit in and fall in love with. '21's are shipping so if you're not in a hurry wait for a new boat from each company and see which one feels right.

[freeheel4life]

I work as a tech at a dealer that sells both. Full disclosure, have been out on a couple SLs now but haven't been out on a ZX3. Most current Tige I've surfed was an R23 and haven't been behind any Tige/ATX with the GSA plates with Parker actuators yet.

Thats out of the way, heres my take....both have really nice power towers. Both are getting their board racks from PTM. Both have subfloor ballast(will circle back to your Supra/lead question). Both are running screens from Murphy. Depending on options both are likely getting cool feel/chill touch vinyl. Both are getting Indmar engines. Both are running similar warranty promotions...likely 5 years on Indmar engine and power train and 5 years on boat and electronics but I've fallen behind on keeping track of those offerings.

Now for some differences. LED option on Tige is better IMO if optioned with blade lights and tower rings. Wet Sounds vs JL on audio. As mentioned Tige is using GSA plates and Parker actuators. Parkers have a built in sensor so they are more accurate and are an EOH unit that Im impressed with.. Supra is still running Lenco actuators. Supra has less failures/water intrusion on their Lencos than other brands because their geometry is similar to the use that they were originally designed for, BUT still replace the occasional Lenco on Supras. Less on Supras than MC, and formerly Tige before they switched(Lenco had also addressed some know issues so it should be less of an issue going forward....in theory).

Other big difference is ballast systems. Tige is running aerators and Supra is running dual reversibles and Autowake. Some people really like Autowake and for people that don't have background in how to set up a boat to surf I think it is a nice feature. If you understand pitch, roll, and ballast I think its a bit counterintuitive sometimes and I rarely keep it enabled. The big downside long term if you keep the boat until its out of its warranty period will be replacement of some of these components. Tsunami 1200 aerator pumps are around 40$ a piece and you can get just the cartridges to fix. Jabsco reversibles in Supras are 200$ to replace and have a wearable impeller that will need serviced over time as well. Other thing is the Supra has to run a 230a alternator while Tige can run a 95a alternator....drastically different cost outside of warranty period.

Circling back....you can basically add PnP to Supra by running the vent lines into an overflow bag instead of lead. Does kill all rear storage(same as Tige) and isn't as clean of an install as Tiges PnP from the factory. Ive tried different ways to clean it up but hoses pinch so, from my experience, the PnP add on to Supra results in some big hose loops in rear that dont look great.

Other thing to figure out is what final ratios are you getting in each option?? 1.76:1 or 2:1??

Theres the other BIG ONE....boats have issues sometimes. If the boats you have nailed down are at different dealers who is taking care of you best after the sale???. Look at reviews. Go meet the service managers at both and techs. Go with the guys that you believe will get you in ASAP and get you back on the water ASAP.

Sorry for the novel. Theres some other things I could point out, but don't want to bore everyone to death. If you want to chat more PM your contact info.

[freeheel4life]

I work as a tech at a dealer that sells both. Full disclosure, have been out on a couple SLs now but haven't been out on a ZX3. Most current Tige I've surfed was an R23 and haven't been behind any Tige/ATX with the GSA plates with Parker actuators yet.

Thats out of the way, heres my take....both have really nice power towers. Both are getting their board racks from PTM. Both have subfloor ballast(will circle back to your Supra/lead question). Both are running screens from Murphy. Depending on options both are likely getting cool feel/chill touch vinyl. Both are getting Indmar engines. Both are running similar warranty promotions...likely 5 years on Indmar engine and power train and 5 years on boat and electronics but I've fallen behind on keeping track of those offerings.

Now for some differences. LED option on Tige is better IMO if optioned with blade lights and tower rings. Wet Sounds vs JL on audio. As mentioned Tige is using GSA plates and Parker actuators. Parkers have a built in sensor so they are more accurate and are an EOH unit that Im impressed with.. Supra is still running Lenco actuators. Supra has less failures/water intrusion on their Lencos than other brands because their geometry is similar to the use that they were originally designed for, BUT still replace the occasional Lenco on Supras. Less on Supras than MC, and formerly Tige before they switched(Lenco had also addressed some know issues so it should be less of an issue going forward....in theory).

Other big difference is ballast systems. Tige is running aerators and Supra is running dual reversibles and Autowake. Some people really like Autowake and for people that don't have background in how to set up a boat to surf I think it is a nice feature. If you understand pitch, roll, and ballast I think its a bit counterintuitive sometimes and I rarely keep it enabled. The big downside long term if you keep the boat until its out of its warranty period will be replacement of some of these components. Tsunami 1200 aerator pumps are around 40$ a piece and you can get just the cartridges to fix. Jabsco reversibles in Supras are 200$ to replace and have a wearable impeller that will need serviced over time as well. Other thing is the Supra has to run a 230a alternator while Tige can run a 95a alternator....drastically different cost outside of warranty period.

Circling back....you can basically add PnP to Supra by running the vent lines into an overflow bag instead of lead. Does kill all rear storage(same as Tige) and isn't as clean of an install as Tiges PnP from the factory. Ive tried different ways to clean it up but hoses pinch so, from my experience, the PnP add on to Supra results in some big hose loops in rear that dont look great.

Other thing to figure out is what final ratios are you getting in each option?? 1.76:1 or 2:1??

Theres the other BIG ONE....boats have issues sometimes. If the boats you have nailed down are at different dealers who is taking care of you best after the sale???. Look at reviews. Go meet the service managers at both and techs. Go with the guys that you believe will get you in ASAP and get you back on the water ASAP.

Sorry for the novel. Theres some other things I could point out, but don't want to bore everyone to death. If you want to chat more PM your contact info.

[freeheel4life]

So I typed a damn novel....and for some reason my post needs approved. Lol guess I'm being censored. Attached screenshots of original post.

[JDGII]

Thanks for your reply that is good information. I do really like the Tige boat and the dealer. It does seem that all the brands have come a long way over the last few years. It also sounds like the actuators upgrade on Tige has been a nice improvement. The GO system seems like it would be much easier to operate than the Supra system.

[MikeB313]

Extra storage will all ballast being PnP is great on the Supra. I think the Supra's drive nicer smoother than the Tige. I really like the Jabsco ballast pumps and suprised Tige still uses them in their high end lineup. My 22RZX takes forever to fill and even longer to drain! You definitely don't need 1K of lead to surf a SL. I like the steering wheel controls on the Tige a bit better. Supra made some great changes for 2021 which has me leaning towards Supra.

[chpthril]

Let me ask a couple of things differently. Is there an advantage to “extra” weight coming with the PNP bags included vs having to add a lot of lead bags? Any thoughts to how the two brands stack up against each other. I’m looking at 2021. The Supra is around $10k more comparably equipped. Any opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks

The advantage of water ballast, like additional PnP sacs, v's lead/steel, is when you are done with the water ballast, you return it to the lake. Lead/steel its there all the time.

Im good for a few hundred pounds of lead/steel to supplement the water ballast.

[MikeB313]

Thanks for contributing Lorena!

[Bamer]

Thanks for contributing Lorena!

Lol

[SONIC]

I also like reversible pumps, no air locks and a single pump to fill and drain.
The supra has 6 of them.
Downside of reversibles is the engine needs to be on to fill or drain. 120+ amps when running.


Neither boat "needs" extra weigh just to surf but everyone is looking for the best possible wave.
You'll "need" some extra weight in either boat I'd wager with just two on board, more people less extra weight "needed"

[ddutcher]

I have a new SA that I run with 500 lbs of lead and the wave is very good on both sides. My Z3 wave was very good with MLA upgraded sacs and 500 lbs of lead but not having any storage was a pain a lot of times. The SL will surf very well without any lead. I use autowake quite a bit and love how easy it is once you understand it but it does have a learning curve AS others have said NYU what you think feels right o you and your family. The dealer is a huge part of that. Good luck and enjoy either boat.

[JDGII]

I really appreciate the input. These boats have a lot more going on than your typical boat and some extra thoughts have been helpful.

[Bamer]

I also like reversible pumps, no air locks and a single pump to fill and drain.
The supra has 6 of them.
Downside of reversibles is the engine needs to be on to fill or drain. 120+ amps when running.

20amps per pump? Geez. How long does it take to fill/drain? 6minutes?

At 6min and 120amps, that’s 12 Amp-Hours...


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