What do you get in a Base Model RZR or RZ2?

[houstonshark]

I'm close to making a decision on buying my first boat. The RZ2 is tops on my list but realistically out of my price range. It looks like the RZR is the boat (although I'm still looking hard for a low hour 09 SANTE 210).

My question is, what do you get with a base model RZR (~$59k) or RZ2 (~$63k)? Is this truly a functioning base model boat that simply doesn't have any options or are there critical options that must be added to the base price, like engine, tower, trailer, etc?

I really just want a pretty stripped down boat and currently don't need large amounts of ballast or a big stereo, etc. I keep getting pushed, price wise towards the R20 but there's just so many things I don't like about that boat. It really seems to me like Tige went out of their way to try and make that boat cheap just to justify the step up to the RZR. At times when I look around the interior of the RZR it looks like they threw some unnecessary bling in just to try and separate it from the R20.

After spending a lot of time on each at the boat show I knew that I either had to buy a RZR if it is going to be a Tige or I would need to look at a used boat. The only other boat I would consider (although I did really like the Malibu VTX and VLX) is the SANTE 210. It would have to be a 09 in order to fit my ever increasing ceiling of $60k.

Sorry to ramble a bit. It's been a long time coming.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Timmy!]

I think the $59k RZR will have the tower and Tige touch screen and cruise control. Probably won't include tower speakers or ballast options. Honestly the best thing you can do is go in and talk to the dealer and sit down and go through the options. I know that we all think that this stuff would just be readily available on the internet but it's really not! Just keep in mind that everything is negotiable!

[chpthril]

The Tige website should break each model down and show what comes standard and what comes as optional equipment. Donwload the PDF brochure, the std and options are listed at the back. http://tige.com/public/downloads/tigebrochure2011.pdf

In the past, features such as stereo, tower, board racks bimini and ballast has technically been an option. If you spec out and order a boat, just make sure the build sheet has what you want before signing off. If you are picking one off the showroom floor, it will probably have what you want/need. Most of the good dealers will not order a v-drive without ballast.

[MattieK27]

I'm close to making a decision on buying my first boat. The RZ2 is tops on my list but realistically out of my price range. It looks like the RZR is the boat (although I'm still looking hard for a low hour 09 SANTE 210).

My question is, what do you get with a base model RZR (~$59k) or RZ2 (~$63k)? Is this truly a functioning base model boat that simply doesn't have any options or are there critical options that must be added to the base price, like engine, tower, trailer, etc?

I really just want a pretty stripped down boat and currently don't need large amounts of ballast or a big stereo, etc. I keep getting pushed, price wise towards the R20 but there's just so many things I don't like about that boat. It really seems to me like Tige went out of their way to try and make that boat cheap just to justify the step up to the RZR. At times when I look around the interior of the RZR it looks like they threw some unnecessary bling in just to try and separate it from the R20.

After spending a lot of time on each at the boat show I knew that I either had to buy a RZR if it is going to be a Tige or I would need to look at a used boat. The only other boat I would consider (although I did really like the Malibu VTX and VLX) is the SANTE 210. It would have to be a 09 in order to fit my ever increasing ceiling of $60k.

Sorry to ramble a bit. It's been a long time coming.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Just curious, what didn't you like about the R20?

Thanks

[leboeuf45]

If you call the ski dock in Austin (512) 918-2628) and talk to Thad or the owner Dale, they will give you all the info you are looking for and make you a great deal on the tige you want. I went through this a couple of months back and they went above and beyond to help me out.

[Coop]

The base RZ2 has no tower or stereo. Prices do not include the trailer.

Here's what it comes with standard: PCM 5.7L Excalibur 343hp Motor, Choice of Graphics, Solid Color Main Panel, Taps, Tigé Cruise Control, Stainless Steel Appearance Package, Argo Driver's Seat w/ Flip Up Bolster, Trash Receptacle, Compass, Vinyl Ester Barrier Coat and Tigé Touch Screen.

[houstonshark]

Just curious, what didn't you like about the R20?

Thanks

I am not a big fan of any of the Tige seats and their design. The random swoops and designs they put into the vinyl just kill me, especially when they are a colored insert that matches something on the outside of the boat. I don't understand why they didn't shoot for a classier, more simple design but that's just my opinion.

Specifically the seats in the R20 just seem incredibly cheap and purposely designed to look cheaper than the RZR. I guess it just bothers me that this was done to try and justify the higher price of the RZR and strengthen the fact that this is Tige's entry level boat...but you are still paying $45k-$50K on it.

The reality is that the cost difference between the seat covers in the R20 and RZR is likely very minimal. I'm not saying that the seats should have been the same by any means but I think they could have done a better job on the R20 just by simply top stitching all of the seams and actually adding seams to some of the panels (in the bow if I remember correctly) that are simply just wrapped around a seat back.

They could have done the R20 for the same price and instead of trying to purposefully make it cheap they could have spent just a little bit more (maybe an additional $500 cost) and made it a really nice boat for the money (again, I'm talking about the interior as my main gripe). I think that would have justified bumping the base price of the RZR and had it come standard with the PCM343 and Alpha Z tower which virtually everyone will get anyway.

All that being said I am still leaning towards the RZR but hope to be able to get them to do a more simple, 2 tone interior without all the off colored inserts.

[chpthril]

Specifically the seats in the R20 just seem incredibly cheap and purposely designed to look cheaper than the RZR. I guess it just bothers me that this was done to try and justify the higher price of the RZR and strengthen the fact that this is Tige's entry level boat...but you are still paying $45k-$50K on it

In your opinion, how does the R20 compare to the other similarly equipped 20ft pickle-fork tow boats in its price range or less?

*EDIT* A quick glance at the 2011 info i have indicates that all the Tige boats use 36oz vinyl. So the R20 will have the grade vinyl as the as the others, just not pleated and less detailed/complex inserts. The R20 I was last weekend felt the same as the RZR, RZ2, etc. I do think they used a little less foam in the bottoms and backs.

[houstonshark]

In your opinion, how does the R20 compare to the other similarly equipped 20ft pickle-fork tow boats in its price range or less?

*EDIT* A quick glance at the 2011 info i have indicates that all the Tige boats use 36oz vinyl. So the R20 will have the grade vinyl as the as the others, just not pleated and less detailed/complex inserts. The R20 I was last weekend felt the same as the RZR, RZ2, etc. I do think they used a little less foam in the bottoms and backs.

I guess the only other 20' pickle-fork in the R20's price range would be the Axis A20 which neither my wife or I really liked. I did think the seating in the A20 was nicer/better designed and had some cool options for moving the seating around. We both felt that the A20 was really shallow, especially in the bow area. We have 2 small kids and for some reason it just didn't feel as safe as the R20/RZR which seem to be much deeper or at least the seating was lower in the hull.

I'm sure the R20 will do quite well in it's class/pricing tier. I just personally couldn't see spending $50k on it and feeling like the manufacturer cut some corners that really would not affect the overall price just to justify its placement within their lineup. There are a lot of nice used boats that 1-3 model years old that seem more refined than the R20 @ ~$50k.

I really wanted to like it more but I can't help that I don't. These are just my opinions and I understand some will not agree.

[dom w. forte]

What was on the R20 that made it 50k, ours are around 40k?

[houstonshark]

What was on the R20 that made it 50k, ours are around 40k?

I was told $45k for a R20 that had virtually no options...standard ballast, standard stereo and upgraded PCM343 engine. And this was if I purchased prior to the end of the year with December incentives and no catalytic convertor which combined I was told was about a $4k savings.

[Ewok]

If you look around you might be happier with a 1-2 year old RZ2. I got mine as a leftover 2009 model in June of 2010 for the average asking price for a used 2008-2009 boat. I got it from a dealer which meant it is new and the 3 year warranty started when I signed the paperwork. You don't get your choice of colors and options but you should be able to find the boat that best suits your needs in your price range.

[houstonshark]

If you look around you might be happier with a 1-2 year old RZ2. I got mine as a leftover 2009 model in June of 2010 for the average asking price for a used 2008-2009 boat. I got it from a dealer which meant it is new and the 3 year warranty started when I signed the paperwork. You don't get your choice of colors and options but you should be able to find the boat that best suits your needs in your price range.

The RZ2 is the boat I really want but there just doesn't seem to be many 09-10 models available if any.

[Ewok]

It's a difficult thing to find, I stumbled upon mine. You just have to keep searching every used boat website from across the country. It should not cost you more than 3k to ship it from coast to coast so don't be affraid to drive or fly long distance to get what you want. The R20 and RZR are very nice boats but if you need a 22' keep looking, you'll find something, there is still a few more months before your going to think you need the boat.

[Ewok]

Keep searching craigs list, especially in cities where you'll see many skiboats, such as dallas, orlando, seattle, and eBay, onlyinboards.