The forever question: 24Ve vs RZ2...

[talltigeguy]

I have some prospective buyers for my boat. I also have some boats I am looking at.

Due to price concerns, I am looking towards the 09 models. I really want to stick with the PCM engine, so I am not going any further back.

I found a terrific new 09 24 Ve and a new 09 RZ2. Both are well priced, IMO, and both are equipped with the usual items. The RZ2 has ballast. None are fully decked out, but both do have Wetsounds tower speakers. I can add the rest as I see fit, so it does not bother me that both are modestly equipped. The colors are a wash, the Ve colors might be better as far as resale.

I use my boat for 3 things: general family time, wakeboarding and surfing. So I get a wide variety of use. The wife loves surfing, so that is important, although it is a smaller amount of time that she finally gets out to do it. I am the boat obsessed person in our household.

Having had a 24V 2005 before, I am pretty sure I know what I am getting into there. I have seen that Ragboy made a killer surf wave on his 24Ve, but he obviously came to the conclusion that he could do better with an RZ2...So I am sort of leaning that way. But the 24Ve comes from a reputable dealer and the RZ2 is from one who lost their Tige dealership (or is dropping Tige).

There is also a used Malibu 2008 that I am looking into. And that one is very nearby.

Ramble on, friends, and give me your thoughts.

[Timmy!]

I think the RZ2 is the best of all of those worlds. You get the same amount of interior space or very close to it, you get a better handling boat than the 24ve and the Malibu(doesn't matter which model), you will already have built in ballast that you can add on to and you get a boat that has killer styling (like your X-45). As you already know from the X-45, the kids love the bow of the boat and the 24Ve doesn't have the same amount of room that the RZ2 has, Malibu has even less. Resale value, seems to me that the RZ2 is probably selling better than 24Ve's right now but I have no proof to back that up. The one drawback for you is the tower height if it has the Alpha Z on the RZ2 because you would constantly be ducking.

[lohe]

I vote RZ2 ( maybe because thats the one I would get) Better styling and more bow room is a +

[Ryannjena]

I would probably go for the RZ2 as well. I have an rz4 and everyone loves the bow room available. My friend has an rz4 and it feels big as well. My guess is that long-term the resale will be better on the rz2 as well due to the styling.

[turbonine]

Between the the two I would go with the RZ2 for these reasons;

-Pickle fork. I love and miss the pickle fork.

-Surf wake potential, just based on Ragboys actions.

-Looks. I think the RZ is one of the best looking boats out there. I see and RZ and think fresh, new, cutting, hints of whats the future is. I see the the Ve and think classy, traditional looking, but slowly going out of style.

PS. I also think the X-45 is a great looking boat. I always see this new X-45 on our lake and it still turns my head.

[turbonine]

There is also a used Malibu 2008 that I am looking into. And that one is very nearby.

If 23 LSV...that was an oddball year because of the Star Wars looking dash and isn't very appealing for resale value.

Edit: for picture

Wake23LSV_Dash_800.jpg

Only year and boat this dash existed on was the 2008 23LSV

[91Terminator]

I feel that the 24Ve fits you best, i just really feel like you need that 2009 24Ve, i think it will be the greatest boat you ever buy.

LOL but my opinion doesn't count.

[MTtigekid]

haha i think im going to be the only one here that says this but.. GO FOR THE VE!!! we use ours for the exact same things you mentioned, family boat/ surfing/ wakeboarding. you cant do any better for a family style boat and rag boy has proven the surf wake that is possible! and the wakeboard setup is ridiculously easy, even without any ballast the wake at 75' is beefier than most other boats

[talltigeguy]

If 23 LSV...that was an oddball year because of the Star Wars looking dash and isn't very appealing for resale value.

The malibu is a 247.

[talltigeguy]

I feel that the 24Ve fits you best, i just really feel like you need that 2009 24Ve, i think it will be the greatest boat you ever buy.

LOL but my opinion doesn't count.

Haha...if these are the hard kind of decisions I have to make, then life is good for me. Your opinion counts, it is just biased.

[91Terminator]

Haha...if these are the hard kind of decisions I have to make, then life is good for me. Your opinion counts, it is just biased.

Ya those are some nice decisions.

Biased??? Just a bit. lol

[jwanck11]

Resale data - you could look at NADA resales for several years of the models and come to your own conclusion.
They are both "new" - do they both meet all the requirement to get maximum warranty?
I have to believe they will both do what you need and do it well.

No idea on the malibu - just don't know the boat.

[Timmy!]

The malibu is a 247.

Did you drive that boat yet? That thing felt like a tank to me! It also eats gas like you wouldn't believe if it has the 8.1L in it.

[Coop]

Just curious, tall, why not a RZ4? Other than cost and availability, were there other reasons (handling, etc.)? I have not compared the interiors side by side -- is the passenger and storage space in the RZ2 close to the 24Ve? I find that the "general family time" of your equation often involves extended family and friends, and I love the space in my 24V -- both passenger and, maybe even more importantly, storage.

you get a better handling boat than the 24ve

I have read on some other posts that people feel the Ve will handle better in rough water than the equivalent size RZ. Anyone agree/disagree?

[chpthril]

IMO, buying a boat based on it's "potential" resale value years down the road, is like choosing a main dish on the menu based on how it will be as a leftover the next day.

You cant go wrong with either, so I hope to see you next month in either one.... Tige that is