Need New Boat Advice

[GatorMD97]

I've reached 40 and blown out my ACL in both knees; I've decided it's time to make wake surfing my primary water sport; however, I still want a boat with a great wakeboard wake for my son and daughter to grow into (ages 10 and 8). I have narrowed my search to basically 3 boats (Tige RZ2, Super Air Nautique 230, and the Malibu VLX). I have spent considerable time researching each of these boats but I can find very little information on the Nautique 230 in regards to wake surfing. I hate to start another this boat or that boat thread but any constructive input I can get regarding these boats, especially the 230 would be greatly appreciated. I have very limited time to test drive boats and not many dealers close so I want to get as much information and as many opinions as possible prior to any demos I set up. Here are my criteria:

1. The boat must be a 2009 or newer model year. I will not purchase a new boat ever again.

2. Wake surfing is my primary goal and I want a surf style wake with a LONG POCKET vs the skim style as I have extensive experience in real wave surfing and prefer a STEEP FACE with a crisp lip. I am 6' and 200 lbs if that makes a difference with the push of the wake.

3. My son and I both ride GOOFY, so the boat must put out a good starboard wake.

4. All ballast must be hidden and custom sacks must be able to be plumbed into the boat for full automation (I have no problem spending the cash to do it right). I'd like to stay away from fixed weights.

5. I have a Malibu dealer 35 miles from my house and a Tige dealer 100 miles away, there is not a close Nautique dealer. I spoke with the Malibu dealer today and he will be happy to service any boat I get.

6. The wife and I are into "luxury" and I am willing to pay for what I get. I'm really not interested comparing any other brand boats, I want to stick to these specific boats but would consider most anything in the 21' to 23' range from any of these manufacturers. I think the Malibu 24 LSV is to big for my boat house.

7. I would like to keep the budget max in the mid to low $70K range but will go higher for the right deal on a newer model if the deal is right.

8. I don't think I want a base engine in any of these boats as I plan on adding whatever weight is necessary to get the right surf wake.

Like I said, I don't want to start a flame war about which boat is better. I am merely looking for advice from people who have FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE with these particular boats. I have an appointment to see a 2011 230, a 2010 RZ2 and a 2012 VLX next week. Any advice on known problems and recalls on these boats is also much appreciated as well as links to boats that you know of that are for sale. Thanks in advance!

Austin

[Nobody]

Your budget is fat. As for not buying a boat new, that's understandable because they lose 30% value in the first year. With that said, a nice RZ2 would sell for $60 after one year with little use. A 2 year old RZ2 would sell for low / mid 50's Add sales tax and some custom sack work installed by the pro, chapthril...your right well below $70K, maybe $60K

[GatorMD97]

The 2010 RZ2 I am going to look at next week is 61K through a dealer with the following options cut and pasted from their website and it includes the matching tandem trailer with spare. Is this a reasonable price?

Surf Ballast, Full hull color, split deck accent, and two color split main panel color, center bow cushion, EIDB system, freshwater strainer, cutom color swim platform, tower of power stereo system with Pro 60's Wetsound speakers, transom remote, alpha z tower black, docking lights ss, vision air driver seat, carpet, Tige touch screen, battery switch, swivel wake board racks.

Thanks

[Nobody]

The 2010 RZ2 I am going to look at next week is 61K through a dealer with the following options cut and pasted from their website and it includes the matching tandem trailer with spare. Is this a reasonable price?

Surf Ballast, Full hull color, split deck accent, and two color split main panel color, center bow cushion, EIDB system, freshwater strainer, cutom color swim platform, tower of power stereo system with Pro 60's Wetsound speakers, transom remote, alpha z tower black, docking lights ss, vision air driver seat, carpet, Tige touch screen, battery switch, swivel wake board racks.

Thanks

I'm not the expert here, but the dealer has to make a profit, so with that said.....yes, it's fair. Tell him to change out the Pro 60's for some REV10's, drive the REV10's with a SYN4 amp, add a WS420 to seperate the tower from the inboat speakers, add one XXX 12" sub with 800 watts using a SYN1 amp, and you'll take it.

[glassmaker]

Here is a video from ragboy at wake9 when he had a 2010 RZ2. Should give you a good idea of what the wave could look like. There are a couple more videos of the RZ2 on his channel.

http://youtu.be/CtT0j5E_54Y

[robert theisen]

The 2010 RZ2 I am going to look at next week is 61K through a dealer with the following options cut and pasted from their website and it includes the matching tandem trailer with spare. Is this a reasonable price?

Surf Ballast, Full hull color, split deck accent, and two color split main panel color, center bow cushion, EIDB system, freshwater strainer, cutom color swim platform, tower of power stereo system with Pro 60's Wetsound speakers, transom remote, alpha z tower black, docking lights ss, vision air driver seat, carpet, Tige touch screen, battery switch, swivel wake board racks.

Thanks

I could have bought a 2011 similarly equipped new when i bought my 2011.The one like you described was selling for 68k.

[bigskymudflaps]

If it was me, I'd buy a new z3. Not that I have one, mine is an rz2. The feedback and video from the z3 has been really amazing. Extremely versatile and one of the best, if not the best wakesurf wake out there. I walked through one at the boat show, great fit and finish. All the amenities one could want (I especially like the garbage can). The cost will be up there, probably 90 for a bare bones boat. Most are 100k. The z3 really seems to be a game changer. Besides the fantastic wake, the boat lists to the side much less than any other I've seen when you are weighted for wakesurfing. Less list is really a big deal for the people in the boat. My rz2 probably lists about 12 degrees. I understand the magic number in the z3 is about 7 degrees. The z23 is also taller, so you don't feel like your are going to swamp a gunnel. Check out the videos and recent reviews on this site and others.

I wish I could speak to the Natiques, they are great boats, well made, solid hulls. But -- Keep in mind when you are looking around -- Looks, fit, and finish aren't everything. The design of the hull is playing a very significant role in the wake these boats put out. Tige has patents in the hull (convex v) and the taps plate. In my opinion, just these two components gives them a leg up on the competition. You not only get huge adjustability out of the two components, but many people believe that the convex v combined with the taps plate is what gives Tiges such good gas mileage (another big deal). I think ragboy has recently said he uses about 3 gallons per hour in his new z3 while wakesurfing. I don't work for tige or are even employed in the boating industry. You decide. I really liked reading these forums and watching the videos on youtube. There is a video for just about every boat. Good luck.

[skippabcool]

If it was me, I'd buy a new z3. Not that I have one, mine is an rz2. The feedback and video from the z3 has been really amazing. Extremely versatile and one of the best, if not the best wakesurf wake out there. I walked through one at the boat show, great fit and finish. All the amenities one could want (I especially like the garbage can). The cost will be up there, probably 90 for a bare bones boat. Most are 100k. The z3 really seems to be a game changer. Besides the fantastic wake, the boat lists to the side much less than any other I've seen when you are weighted for wakesurfing. Less list is really a big deal for the people in the boat. My rz2 probably lists about 12 degrees. I understand the magic number in the z3 is about 7 degrees. The z23 is also taller, so you don't feel like your are going to swamp a gunnel. Check out the videos and recent reviews on this site and others.

I wish I could speak to the Natiques, they are great boats, well made, solid hulls. But -- Keep in mind when you are looking around -- Looks, fit, and finish aren't everything. The design of the hull is playing a very significant role in the wake these boats put out. Tige has patents in the hull (convex v) and the taps plate. In my opinion, just these two components gives them a leg up on the competition. You not only get huge adjustability out of the two components, but many people believe that the convex v combined with the taps plate is what gives Tiges such good gas mileage (another big deal). I think ragboy has recently said he uses about 3 gallons per hour in his new z3 while wakesurfing. I don't work for tige or are even employed in the boating industry. You decide. I really liked reading these forums and watching the videos on youtube. There is a video for just about every boat. Good luck.

I was going to suggest the Z3 as well but stopped because of the didn't want to buy new. Still would be the best. Even if you waited till next year. You might find a used then. Some owners get a new boat ever year.

[GatorMD97]

Sold my boat yesterday, at dealer getting detailed and some guy came in and offered to buy it! Going to Tige dealer tomorrow to demo RZ2 and Z3, got a date with an MXZ and 23LSV Tuesday. I did not like the SANTE 230 I looked at, very small bow and no space to add custom sacs starboard or much in the rear. I know I said no new boats but the initial quotes on the new Malibus were really good. Research is telling me I will like the Tiges best but the dealer is 118 miles away and the bu dealer is only 35. It will be a hard decision If I like the Tige as much as I think I will. If I get the bu I won't need the trailer which will save another 5 to 6k making the MXZ even more appealing.

Any advice on % of MSRP for the Tiges if I go new?

[Ewok]

Something else to consider on the dealer location is just a PCM dealer. Most of the expensive warranty work from a Tige dealer will be with the engine or transmission. I would feel safe in your shoes as long as there is a PCM dealer nearby. PCM is in Centurion and Nautique boats, as well as Tige.

[IDBoating]

Something else to consider on the dealer location is just a PCM dealer. Most of the expensive warranty work from a Tige dealer will be with the engine or transmission. I would feel safe in your shoes as long as there is a PCM dealer nearby. PCM is in Centurion and Nautique boats, as well as Tige.

I second Ewok's remarks here. Tige is great to work with regarding "boat" issues. If you are a reasonable DIY'er (and you should be, it's best to do as much of your own boat work as possible), all you really need is a certified PCM shop and a good set of tools at home.

[Joeprunc]

I'd try to surf the Malibu wake. I haven't been wakesurfing behind either, but have wake boarded behind a VLX. The Malibu wake was quite large, but also very soft and forgiving on top at 22mph wedge down and 2000lbs of ballast, I've only read that the RZ2 and Z3 wakes are a lot firmer and steeper for wakeboarding.

I've surfed for over 15 years before getting into boating and know I would be extremely frustrated if the wakesurf wake was big but soft. And like you mentioned having a steeper wake is key. So I can't tell you which one will be better, but try them out. I know Ragboy has dialed both the RZ2 and Z3 to be full blown competition wakesurfing boats which I would think with a Tige you would have a great platform to start with. I'd recommend asking the same questions over on themalibucrew.com forum. You may even be able to hop of someones boat and test it out before you buy.

With that said I've spent a lot of time in the newer '08 & '09 Malibu's, and really like their fit and finish...but again that is comparing to my OLD boat. I've been reading here that Tige has seemed to really step up their fit and finish in the past few years, and especially with the new Z3.

Take a look at what is warrantied from each boat/mfg. too, and be sure the warranty is transferable to you as a second owner. It seems like Tige has really stepped up to the plate to make sure all the owners are happy & get taken care of.

[GatorMD97]

Got the RZ2 on the lake today. Spectacular boat optioned and painted just right. The price was 20% off MSRP but I'm not sure that is a good enough deal and the dealer didn't seem that hungry. They have a similiar 2010 with 160 hrs for 20K less but I hate the colors and hate the cooler location. There is a dealer in MN advertizing at 25% off MSRP but it would cost most of the savings to get it shipped. Going to demo the Malibus tomorrow. The 23 LSV will be 5K less than the RZ2 and the MXZ will be about the same price but it will have the bigger L96 engine in it. I'm wishing I wouldn't have sold my boat so quickly at this point because the used market is very depleted. I don't see how I could like the bu anymore I just hope I like it as much since the dealer is closer and more service after the sale oriented.

[robert theisen]

In the end price shouldn't matter as long as you get what you like best at a price you can afford.You will quickly forget the price if you are satisfied,but you will always regret the price if you are not satisfied with what you bought.

[mls6722]

In the end price shouldn't matter as long as you get what you like best at a price you can afford.You will quickly forget the price if you are satisfied,but you will always regret the price if you are not satisfied with what you bought.

very true.

I was down to Malibu and Tige as my final two choices last year. I am thrilled with my Tige. I can't imagine being this happy with another boat.