First ride in the all new Z3

[helmut]

Mike I would say thats not a shining review. Sounds like a great boat to ride around in but not a great boat for any of the wake sports we buy these boats for. So not understanding your 9 out of 10.

[duffymahoney]

How tall is it compared to say a 24ve or 24v?

[IDBoating]

It looks like the curl develops really early (close to the boat) in this photo:



Seems like that would make the "sweet spot" really small. Is that really what is happening, or just an illusion?

[duffymahoney]

that wave looks terrible I bet it's just weighted wrong. Takes a long time to dial in a wave.

[ragboy]

The picture above and this one:



Are pretty accurate of what we have seen. Its a surfable wake but it isn't up to the same comp level caliber of the RZ2/22Ve 24Ve/RZ4.

One thing to keep in mind is this (black and green Z3) boat is still considered a prototype. We did many weight configs and I think most recreational surfers may be fine with it, its not good enough to pull a competition which is what we needed it for.

It will be interesting to see what adjustments tige can make to make it better.

We are going to be using a new RZ4 (another brochure boat) for the polar bear, and most likely the West Coast Open instead of the Z3 for now.

I will say this, that is THE most comfortable boat my family has EVER been in. My wife was almost mad at me when I told her I didn't think we could use it for the comp. She liked it THAT much.

The rear end mods and walkthrough are so great. When I sit in my 24Ve in the corner, on the goofy side the walk through lowers the cushion and takes away comfort. On the RZ2 there is that gap in the side upholstery where the handle is that can get you in the back....

The Z3 doesn't have either of those issues. I thought the notch in the back would get in my way when sitting sideways in the ballast boy seat, nope. So damn comfy and beautiful inside.

Also, if you get in a Supreme V226 for instance you feel very safe and deep in the boat, but the seats are lower, so you knees are higher and not quite as comfortable. In the RZ2, seat height is perfect for me, not to low, and you are still deep in boat, but you feel deeper in the 226. In the Z3, you get both. The seat height is perfect, AND you get that super deep feeling where the boat is up to your shoulders when sitting.

That being said, my family would sit on wood blocks in the 24Ve or any other boat that threw a wake like the one we have now. ;-) We are not normal, and many of you are the same way.

I am excited to see what Tige is going to do with the Z3, and also glad we have had the opportunity to "try before you buy" with these brochure boats. If the wake was close to the RZ2, the Z3 would be hands down my favorite boat period.

We are definitely stoked to dial in an RZ4, that should be fun.

[Duncan]

Its a surfable wake but it isn't up to the same comp level caliber of the RZ2/22Ve 24Ve/RZ4.
. . . . .
We did many weight configs and I think most recreational surfers may be fine with it, its not good enough to pull a competition which is what we needed it for.
. . . . .

I am excited to see what Tige is going to do with the Z3, and also glad we have had the opportunity to "try before you buy" with these brochure boats. If the wake was close to the RZ2, the Z3 would be hands down my favorite boat period.

Do you plan on posting up about various weight configs attempted? I am curious if you were ever able to sink the rubrail.

[talltigeguy]

Mike I would say thats not a shining review. Sounds like a great boat to ride around in but not a great boat for any of the wake sports we buy these boats for. So not understanding your 9 out of 10.

I think Mike was trying to be kind. We all have a spot in our hearts for Tige, but since Ragboy has come forward with his assessment, I think it is reasonable to state it clearly: This boat is not the greatest surf machine out there. Now they might still tweek the hull somewhat and make some advances, so we may not yet see the final product.

As Ragboy said, I too was in love with the interior comfort. And the supreme 226 is awful. The seats are like 10 inches high and then the seat back is like 30 inches high.

As far as dialing it in, we had an enzo sack full and varied taps and speeds all over the place. Also had 5-6 adult males in the boat to move at a whim, side to side, front to back. I don't think any amount of dialing it in is going to get it up to RZ2 status. And if it is that hard to dial it in, then who wants it? For a recreational rider who uses lakes with big water, this boat has a very nice feel.

Goofy side might be a whole 'nuther story.

[ragboy]

The pictures shown of the reg wake, look just like what we got on the regular side.

@tall, yes, exactly. Putting the seats on the floor make you feel deeper, but not so comfortable. I bet you could lick your knees in that position. ;-)

The Z3 we had would not throw an RZ2 or comparable surf wake. If you are looking for a surf machine now, RZ2, I still have that at the top of my list. Nothing beats how easy you can weight that thing and surf your brains out on BOTH sides.

If the Z3 wake gets to RZ2 level or just close, I would be first in line. I can't say enough how much the interior and the improvements at the rear of the boat impressed me. It was an absolute pleasure for this fat guy to get in and out of the boat. The center walk through, as opposed to side, and the fact there is NO cushion to lose is so frickin cool. Just turn it over for cushion, other side for sea deck.

Also, I am sold on the cooler in the bow and the way the bow was, kids loved it, cooler was right there, not under anyones seat or in the way of possible sacs.

It also felt as roomy as the 24Ve. I would say that the area behind driver is a bit smaller due to trashcan, etc, but really like that trashcan, etc. Dennis and I sat in there fine, but no one else would fit with us. Swim deck is PERFECTLY smooth underneath, no lip, and doesn't disturb wake at all.

Other than the wake, only thing I didn't like much was that seat didn't seem to go back as much. Wasn't bad, I just like to put it all the way back. And I swear it has nothing to do with my large mid section. ;-)

The boat handled REALLY good at speed. Much better and sportier than the Ve, didn't feel like a 24 in that way at all. My 24Ve tends to slop over and can chine lock, but then again, I have a feeling the fact that it can slop over so easy is probably something that makes it put out a GREAT surf wake. Gotta be difficult to deal with these trade offs in hull design.

@duncan, oh yeah, we buried it. The wake was big, but still had that shape. If you turned the boat slightly, the wake cleaned up nice, and didn't have that steep transition you see. But tough to surf in circles.

Anyway, if tige updates interiors on the other boats like this, huge win in my book. Looking forward to seeing how it develops.

[murphini]

Other than the wake, only thing I didn't like much was that seat didn't seem to go back as much. Wasn't bad, I just like to put it all the way back. And I swear it has nothing to do with my large mid section. ;-).

Here is the 3 syllable (2 word) reason as sung by the group "WAR" on why a guy named Garcia does not like the driver's seat adjustability....

LOW RI-DER

[ragboy]

lol, I just couldn't get that gangster lean going on. Why do you think I like wakesurfing so much, low and slow.

[IDBoating]

Sounds like what we want is the RZ2 (22 foot) and 24Ve (24 foot) hulls outfitted with the Z3 interior. Might be a flood of used Tiges on the market if they came out with that!

[duffymahoney]

The wave looks like the epic wave. I think the epic hulls sides are too vertical.

[Timmy!]

The wave looks like the epic wave. I think the epic hulls sides are too vertical.

It does! You have to weight the crap out of Epic's to get a long pocket for surfing. Wakeboarding wake kicks azz though.