Tige RZ2 Questions

[pdhj1990]

Before I upgrade the stereo and ballast system in our 06 Tige 24V, I'd like some input on the Tige RZ2 (2009 - 2011). Although we've had outstanding experience with our 24V, I'm going to explore our options.

What are the major differences between the 2009, 2010 and 2011 RZ2's? Have forum members had good experience with their RZ2's? Have forum members had any bad experiences? How's the surf wake with the factory ballast? How's the factory stereo?

Even though we've owned our 24V for less than a year, I think I'm ready to buy a smaller, newer boat with more options. Candidly, I don't really enjoy having more than 8 people in the boat at one time - it gets too busy!

I'm going to head over to Eagle Marine in Ft. Worth tomorrow to check out their inventory.

Thanks in advance for the feedback

[jdhart73]

Ive officially owned mine for 9 hours but I dig it! I came from a mastercraft X2 and this boat is every bit as nice fit and finish wise in my opinion. Tested factory surf ballast today (Pro Ballast option) with 400 lbs in front on surf side and 600 lbs in rear surf side at 11mph with taps at 3 and the surf wave was sooo clean and atleast 15' long.... I was very impressed!
Factory stereo is insane on this one! All wetsounds, Clarion CMD3 head unit, 2 REV 10's on the tower powered by one SYN4... cannot imagine having 4, so crisp and LOUD.

[lohe]

2010 They added Tige touch, also cat motors?

2011 options
http://www.tigeowners.com/downloads/11/2011_RZ2.pdf

[ragboy]

I think the new interior came in 2010, must have. The new PRO ballast, not sure what year, but must have. Best wake out there, arguably. But when you consider how EASY it is to get that wake when you get the pro ballast and swap sacs, there is no competition.

[pzbilly]

From the option list, vision air chair is option...

[skippabcool]

From the option list, vision air chair is option...

No more vision air

[jrobertson]

Have to agree with Ragboy (we do have the same boat) one of the best waves out there. Stock Pro ballast I don't think will cut it, however it is plug and play to add more weight to the rear lockers and still have fully automated. Stereo is insane. I love my boat. My buddy have an 05 24V and we can get as nice of a wave on that boat. WAY more weight though.

[Timmy!]

I think they change the interior almost every year...

[talltigeguy]

I think the only real substantial difference is the tige touch that came in 2010 and the better ballast, which I don't think was an option until 2011.

2009 had factory hard tanks under the floor in the rear lockers as an option.

[benixon]

Ive officially owned mine for 9 hours but I dig it! I came from a mastercraft X2 and this boat is every bit as nice fit and finish wise in my opinion. Tested factory surf ballast today (Pro Ballast option) with 400 lbs in front on surf side and 600 lbs in rear surf side at 11mph with taps at 3 and the surf wave was sooo clean and atleast 15' long.... I was very impressed!
Factory stereo is insane on this one! All wetsounds, Clarion CMD3 head unit, 2 REV 10's on the tower powered by one SYN4... cannot imagine having 4, so crisp and LOUD.

How is the performance of the rz2 compare to your x2 (what year was your x2)? I currently have a x10 and really want to go to an rz2 but it is hard to justify the expense since mine is almost paid for and I have a ton of upgrades. I was more interested in the performance and handling differences.

[jdhart73]

Benixon- Performance wise I would say the power is very similar, I had my X2 propped pretty aggressive though so hard to tell?
The RZ2 handles chop much better than my X2 did. The tower is SILENT, no rattling....nice!
Handling is stellar, turns on a dime when you want it to and holds a line better than my X2 did...(possible the tracking fins?).
I was in the same predicament as you, had good equity in my X2 but it was not the boat I "wanted". I really wanted a boat that would surf out of the box extremely well. Took my boat out tonight with the custom plug and play sacs I bought from Chpthril and it was NUTS....

I am not looking back!

[benixon]

Jdhart73,

Thanks for the info. I am on a pretty large lake so the chop factor is huge. We will see what the economy does and maybe next year make a move.

[pzbilly]

the torque for X2 is a little bit bigger but RZ2 is more constant and smooth.
Tige PCM engine is more silent. The interior in tige is much better design and more functional with tige touch. The swimming platform is much lower in tige RZ2 . in and out more easy

[Duncan]

We love our 2009 Tige RZ2 with a cat 409PCM.

The cat engine was avaialble in 2009.

2009 was the first AlphaZ tower, which is retained through present. The retaining pins were recalled so if you have plastic dials change them for the metal screw/pins. Also, early 2009 had too short of bolts in the racks--get longer ones.

2009 was in floor stock tanks (perhaps avoid 2008 and earlier on the basis of above floor hard tanks).

2010 had TigeTouch. I actually prefer the non-touch so I would not assume touch is necessarily better). But there is an issue with overshooting in 2009 SpeedSet system. There is a system software update and a new Medallion controller that helps but does not solve. I do not know if there are similar issues with 2010+.

2010 had pro ballast packages. But you have to buy a new bigger bag and swap it into the existing plumbing anyways to surf. We have Chpthrl's custom 1000lb sacks plumbed in our 2009 so I fill the stock tanks in parallel with the after-market sacks. No difference in total capacity compared to current models (but we had to plumb it).

Also re ballast, the 2009 bow is plumbed on both sides for fill and drain. We took out the stock U-sack and repalced with independent port and sb sacks using existing plumbing. In short, if you get a good deal on a 2009, don't let wanting the 2010+ ballast packages necessarily sink the deal.

Wet Sounds on all 2009-2011, but new model speakers in 2011 (?).

Upholstery in 2009 might be a bit more susceptible to seam separation than 2010+ (which uses a new ribbed vinyl). But 2009 has just as heavy of vinyl and is much better than earlier years.

2011 has snap out carpet while 2009-2010 does not. Keep your snap out carpet -- it never dries underneath and most people rarely take it out. I would rather hose out my non-snap out regularly and know it dries out if I do nothing with it.

All have terrible terrible starboard side coolers.

2009 has a surf shaped swim platform while 2010+ have same shape but much less of a lip on the platform.

all prop'ed the same. You will probably upgrade to a surf prop anyways.

2009/2010 have similar graphics packages. 2011 adds some 80's inspired more geometrical graphics (2010 too?).

Early 2009 have different bimini manufacturer than late 2009 to present.

2009-2010 have no bow cutouts with drink holders (this is one of my only gripes re our 2009 RZ2). 2011 does have bow cutouts with drink holders (in RZ2?, maybe not).

2009 does not have cup holders just forward of windshield. 2010-2011 does (?).

2009 does have cup holder on dash to driver's left. 2010-2011 does not (I would really really miss that cupholder).

2010-2011 has slightly lower instrument cluster in front of driver. I sit on bolster to drive always so no matter. But a slightly lower dash would be nice, especially when surfing.

Did I mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE our RZ2? Because I do!

[ragboy]

I have a correction....

You can surf just fine with the PRO ballast system. The custom sacs just make it better. IMHO. But here is video with STOCK pro ballast.