Considering 2011 RZ2 purchase, got some questions for you all.

[da.bell]

Fman,

I also posted at WW my comments about a mechanic and working on the potential RZ2. But, I do have the number to the former service manager for Capital Water Sports. He does great work and will do the work at your boat location so you don't have to drag it to the dealershipt (if or when we ever get another one )

Are you wanting to look at one? I might be able to arrange a viewing but a test drive might be a little more difficult. March is when I take it out but I can pull the boat out and take it to Folsom Lake if you would like. That would have to be a weekend deal for me and probably late morning since I will need to re-winterize my boat afterwards.

As for my 2007 RZ2. It's doesn't have the TigeTouch nor the pro-ballast unlike Ragboy does. I or Majestic can also contact Ragboy with your information so you can get ahold of him or you can send him an email at Wake9.com. The other thing that is different is the engine. The new RZ2's have a PCM engine and I have the Marine Power.

Let me know if I can help or contact Ben again and he can get ahold of me also. He's got my number

If Ben is in the area, I'll even let him take my boat out without me Hello Ben!!!!!!!!

[jmhatchett]

[QUOTE=Fman;464211]I was surprised that the Tige RZ2 is more expensive than a loaded up Malibu VLX, so I will have to take everything into consideration. Granted the VLX is 21'6" and the RZ2 is 22' with a 2" wider beam. The Malibu sales rep is claiming you dont even need any fat sacks to produce a great surf wake on the VLX because of the power wedge which adds another 1200 lbs of downward weight on the boat. Should be interesting to see how it looks.QUOTE]



I dont have the most vast knowledge of surf wakes I wakeboard very regularly and love the tige wake for boarding, but I can tell you that after riding behind a Wakesetter with the wedge... it is not as good as people claim IMO. It makes the boat cumbersome and sucks the gas.

For surfing it is my understanding that the goal is to get the boat listing one direction so as to increase the size of the wake for the rider. The wedge is located in the middle of the boat and drags the back of the boat down, but does not give any directional lean so i cant imagine that the surf wake would even compare to a Tige that has been designed with the surfing world in mind.

Now these are all my opinions and assumptions, every person has their own view on things, so just see what fits you and your group the best and Good Luck!

[rushin]

we love our RZ2 and second the dealer in Reno. It is where we got ours.

[wallacmc]

The Malibu sales rep is claiming you dont even need any fat sacks to produce a great surf wake on the VLX because of the power wedge which adds another 1200 lbs of downward weight on the boat.

I can tell you exactly how it looks. I've surfed that wake with both the wedge engaged and disengaged. The Wakesetter wake with the wedge is big, but not great because the shape and quality is poor. It performed better with a ton of weight. Still, the quality is nowhere close to what my RZ2 puts out.

Without exception, my experience tells me that the hull, not other gizmos produces the best wake. The Powerwedge or Switchblade on the Centurions or whatever other thing out there has drawbacks. Since TAPS is not a gizmo that affects the flow of water, serving to pull the boat into the water, it is the natural push of the prop and the hull itself that produces that great wake and rise of the bow. And, considering Tige's extremely unique hull shape, I don't see how anyone else could match it until their patent runs out.

[Fman]

Good news, might have a ride this weekend with Rich/Dennis up in Orville, we are trying to work it out. I actually called wakemakers to find out about extra ballast for the VLX. They do sell a 750lb piggyback sack for the hardtank that is a pre-plumbed kit. According to wakemakers (who have been surfing a 2010 VLX) this will produce one hell of a wake for surfing with the extra 750 lb sac in the rear compartment. I am sure the RZ2 is as good or better, I am going to really look both boats over for fit and finish, quality of components, surf wake, wakeboarding wake, trailers, tower design, tige touch vs. malibu touch, etc...

Really appreciate all the feedback, its nice to know all the Tige owners seem to be very happy with your boats. There is a 15k price difference between the VLX and RZ2 which is really bumming me out. Maybe after demoing both the 15k will be a no brainer for the RZ2.

[talltigeguy]

An Apples to Apples comparison would be the Malibu LSV 23.

What is the capacity on the VLX, something like 12? The RZ2 has a capacity of something like 16, so it is a much bigger machine.

I would not want to burst anyone's bubble, but even a new bu is likely to have some issues, so there is no way I would buy a new boat without a dealer within easy driving distance who will service your needs. If over the mountain to Reno is not a bad drive, then for sure go check them out, but driving 6 hours south on California freeways is just ludicrous.

[thtrog]

An Apples to Apples comparison would be the Malibu LSV 23.

What is the capacity on the VLX, something like 12? The RZ2 has a capacity of something like 16, so it is a much bigger machine.

I would not want to burst anyone's bubble, but even a new bu is likely to have some issues, so there is no way I would buy a new boat without a dealer within easy driving distance who will service your needs. If over the mountain to Reno is not a bad drive, then for sure go check them out, but driving 6 hours south on California freeways is just ludicrous.

I agree, the VLX would align more with the Z1 in the Tige line. The '09 and '10 VLX's were rated at 11 capacity and went to 14 for 2011. There was no hull change so I don't know how or why? .

[adamsjstt]

I believe VSMarine in atascadero is still a Tige dealer. Still a long drive but about 3 hours closer to sac than tige watersports in corona

[Fman]

Actually the 2011 Malibu VLX is rated for 14 people, and is only 4" shorter than the RZ2, the RZ2 has a 102" beam, and the VLX has a 100" beam. They are fairly close in size, but the picklefork front end is what makes the boats much different in bow seating capability.

[Fman]

I agree, the VLX would align more with the Z1 in the Tige line. The '09 and '10 VLX's were rated at 11 capacity and went to 14 for 2011. There was no hull change so I don't know how or why? .

The RZ1 is 8" shorter than the VLX, but has the same beam width of 100". The VLX is right inbetween the RZ2 and Z1. The RZ1 is rated for 10 people, the VLX is rated for 14 people.

As you know the lengh of the boat sometimes does not always equate to more seating area. For example, my brother in law has an X-15 that is 8" shorter than my Supra 22, but he can seat more people confortably because of the way MC setup there seating arrangement. The Supra had more space in the ski lockers, this is where Supra added the extra length, not in seating.

[Fman]

Wanted to say thank you again for all the feedback, unfortunately the RZ2 is way out of my price range. I am taking the VLX out next week, my other option would be to look at the 22Ve which is more comparably priced with the Malibu VLX. Does anyone know how the 22Ve does for surfing and wakeboarding?

[Timmy!]

The 22Ve has the same hull underneath of it as the RZ2 so it is a good choice as well.

[chpthril]

Wanted to say thank you again for all the feedback, unfortunately the RZ2 is way out of my price range. I am taking the VLX out next week, my other option would be to look at the 22Ve which is more comparably priced with the Malibu VLX. Does anyone know how the 22Ve does for surfing and wakeboarding?

Although the Z1 is only 1 ft shorter and 2" less beam then the RZ2/22Ve, that makes a huge difference. The Z1 is 4" wider and 1ft longer the 20V, but yet the 20V does not seem that much smaller. I have owned and 22Ve and crawled into every knock and cranny of it as well as the Z1, 20V, Rz2 and VlX.

The 22Ve feels smaller then the RZ2.

The VLX feels smaller then the 22Ve and I thinks its because the VLX has longer storage lockers. This equals less seating area, even though there is a little difference in the overall length.

Now, to answer your question above, many, including myself, will say the 22Ve is the all-around best in the Tige fleet. Even though the RZ and VE do share the same running surface, it has been noted that with the RZ's heavily weighted for wake-boarding, the pickle tends to disturb the wake. With the Pre 09 RZ's, the square corners of the platform created a secondary lip in the surf wake. Other then that, they are very close in regards to the wake.

[Coop]

Even though the RZ and VE do share the same running surface, it has been noted that with the RZ's heavily weighted for wake-boarding, the pickle tends to disturb the wake.

How's the RZ2's wakeboarding wake at slower/kids speeds (14-17mph)? At those speeds, my 24V wake has quite a bit of whitewash on top, but it improves somewhat if I move weight (i.e., people) to the bow. Does weight in the bow improve this situation in the RZ2, or does the pickle fork disturb the wake more with weight in the front?

Is this just kind of a universal issue with all boats -- washy wakes at slower speeds?

[Timmy!]

I feel like the wake on the RZ2 is taller at kid speeds than at 20+ even when unloaded.