TIGE RACK UPDATE!

[robert theisen]

As many of you already know TIGE has realized the new racks needed a little tweaking to hold up under the extreme demands of boating.I was updated on my order from 3/22/2012 that TIGE was aware of some failures,but has the updates in place and are presently testing them.Once they pass a more rigorous test they will be released.Keep in mind my order date if you ordered your racks after that you'll get the updated racks.The new racks have a beefier tooth mechanism in them and require a little bit more pressure to lock them down,but they also have sea deck protecting your boards and providing a vibration dampening system for the racks.So not to worry,Tige has your best interest under control.As usual they are on top of things to keep their high quality standards up to snuff.

[houstonshark]

The new racks worked well this past weekend. I think you will be happy with them when they arrive Robert. The teeth and internal clamping mechanism are definitely beefier. They don't feel like they take much more pressure to latch but depending on how tight you clamp them, they can be a little more difficult to release.

The Seadek material in the fork is much nicer.

[CountryDMan]

Are they planning on replacing the racks that have already shipped?

[robert theisen]

Are they planning on replacing the racks that have already shipped?

I would assume so,but i don't have the official word.I would check with your dealer.As they are testing the new version now it will be several more weeks before they are released.

[kabakona]

I did as Robert suggested. Within a few hours, my dealer had confirmation from Tige that they would replace the racks on my Z3, which I have not even picked up from my dealer yet. That's great service! Not sure of timing or process but given confirmation from Tige, I am not concerned.

[artvandelay]

Anyone know if the NEW racks address the issue of the release pins hitting the Alpha Z when rotated in?

Mine are already starting to damage the paint on the Tower.

And lost a surfboard out of the rack yesterday: almost hit a passenger in the boat!

I really hope Tige does the right thing and replaces these racks with updates, considering the cost!

[Bruizza]

I had the issue of it taking a chunk out of the powder coat on our tower. Not happy at all about it.

[houstonshark]

The newest racks will have the release for the clamps lowered all the way down at the lowest point of the back of the fork. This will keep them from hitting the tower when folded in. I also believe there may be a new bump stop.

My boat is at the dealer now and I believe the new racks are in and will be put on this week. I'll report back once I get them.

I've been really careful every time I swing the racks in to make sure they don't hit the tower hard. My tower is white so you really can't tell that the release has been hitting. I would imagine you'll notice it much more on a darker tower.

I know these are brand new but I can't imagine why they ever made it out with such glaring issues like this, the clamps not holding well, the original, slick rubber in the forks and the adhesive that holds the rubber in. One thing I can say is that Protomet is a 1st class company and after getting feedback on the issues with the racks have devoted a ton of time to making these racks perfect.

My biggest issue with the current gen racks I have (minus the release hitting the tower, not locking in the folded in position and rubbing against the rear in boat grab handles when lowering the tower-I put towels down to keep from marking anything up) is remembering to clamp them down after removing a board! 3 different times (that I know of) we have removed a board, leaving another board in the rack and proceeded to pull a rider for some time before noticing that the racks weren't clamped down. I noticed once in some rough water that a board was starting to fall out while I was driving and was able to pull it back in, clamp the fork closest to me and have someone else clamp the other fork. The other 2 times, we pulled a rider for a full set and didn't realize the board wasn't clamped down until we were putting the rider's board back into the rack! I'd say the Seadek material is working pretty well!

I know this is a bit of a stretch but with all the gadgets on boats these days, it would be cool to have some sort of contact in the rack that shows when the clamps are latched (similar to a window or door magnetic security contact). It wouldn't be too difficult to do and could be done wirelessly but that would just be one more thing to service!