Tige Z3

[Moki]

We checked out the Z3 the other day just at a showroom. It is a beautiful boat. However, to me, the interior felt a little cramped. We usually have a boat load of people. Those who have the Z3, how many people can you comfortably take?

Also, I am not sure that I am ready to give up the walk through bow. The RZ4 felt more like my boat in the main area with lots of space and leg room. Of course there is a ton of more space in the bow.

I am thinking that my perfect boat would be Z3 hull on the RZ4 or even better an RZ3 with a Z3 hull?

Tige, are you listening?

[Nobody]

RZ3 on Z4 or Z5 hull too. We must keep up with Nautique.

[John_S]

We can fit 6 comfortably in the main area including the driver. This gives everyone enough room to move around if they need and still access storage. With passengers in the front you can easily have 8-9 people on board.

How many people do you usually have, and I guess more importantly, what are you going to be using the boat for? If you do a lot of surfing I would definitely consider the Z3. It puts out a very nice surf wave and has hardly any list even when it's loaded. When the boat is set up for a normal rider you can't even tell.

[trent]

The most we have had is 11(6Adults,4Kids,1Baby) That was begining to feel a little cramped. IF I were to do it again I would leave one of my big tubes in the truck we often carry 2...
I agree with John 8-9(our usual count) is Super roomy

[Moki]

John/Trent, thanks for the feedback. We have 7 in our family with only two of them being smaller (10 and 7). We just got back from Lake Powell with another family of 6. We were able to fit all 13 (8 adult size - 5 kids) comfortably in our 23V. So it sounds like it will be perfect when just our family only and a little cramped when going with another family.

[hunter2010]

We were out last night in the Z3 and had 7 people in the cabin area and were super comfy, could have had a couple more easily and a few in the bow. You lose one seating spot where the garbage is but in my mind worth it with the convenience.

[ragboy]

We have been out many times with lots of people, in the RZ4, 24Ve, and the RZ4. The Z3 may be a bit bigger in the cockpit, but I can't say that I really notice much. The RZ4 definitely has a bigger bow, but the Z3 bow is still big and roomy. Here is one thing you won't notice until you start using the boat, the Z3 is the driest of all of those boats I just listed including the RZ2. The way the bow/hull is shaped, it doesn't take in water easily at all, and it makes HUGE rollers, so the opportunities are endless. The interesting thing, is we put more weight in the bow of the Z3 than any other boat we have ever had. 1000 lbs up front is the norm. Sometimes a few people, so more. I wouldn't put 1000 up front of the other boats unless it was flat, the Z3 just takes it in stride, try it and you will notice.

If you surf, then the boat feels twice as big as the other boats when surfing. This is because it doesn't require much list and you can put people almost anywhere and just adjust with how much you put in the rear bags. I actually drive sometimes while surfing, or even sit in the observer seat while surfing GOOFY. Me, at 400lbs, and the boat still has more push than you know what to do with. Again, try it and see what I mean. We can be fully loaded like that, with a boat load of people that includes frank (330), me, dennis (275) and I can lean over from the ballast boy seat and the rub rail is still 5 inches from the water.

Some pics.

Here we are surfing, and check dennis just chilling on the opposite side:


IMG_2701 by wake9, on Flickr

Check this one, how people are sitting, frank is in the corner, RJ is driving frank's wife is on the opposite side and dennis is chilling in the observers seat.


IMG_8205 by wake9, on Flickr

Here are a couple of the supreme, all on one side, but you can see the list, requires a lot more list.


IMG_5795 by wake9, on Flickr

Same thing with the RZ2 and the 24Ve. The RZ4 doesn't require as much list, but doesn't have the world class wake of the RZ2, Z3.

Now this was an extreme day, but here is the list on the 24Ve.


IMG_4880 by wake9, on Flickr

And here is the Z3, this is not weighted as much, but wake as good as the 24Ve, maybe a bit smaller with this few people. This is surf ready though, notice they are pulling up a rider.


IMG_7671 by wake9, on Flickr

[Moki]

Awesome pictures that truly show the stability of the Z3. It is because of your and Surfdad's experience with the prototype and testing the final production, and then owning one, is why I want a Z3. Here are my perceived Pros and Cons that I see with my limited experience with the boat:

Pros:
Amazing wake for both surf and wakeboard
Very little list for surfing
Very comfortable interior cushions
Very functional and comfortable transom - I really like this
Awesome stock ballast

Cons:
Main cockpit is a little cramped for leg room if many people
Personal choice: I like an option to either have a bow cushion or walk through bow

In essence I want this boat, but just a little bit bigger, and how cool would it be to have a Z3 pickle fork?

I think that I will be buying a new boat either at the end of this season or next season. I know my next step is to do a water test.

[ragboy]

With the amount of time and effort you are putting into research, schedule a trip out here, bring the whole family and get a REAL good demo.

I don't miss the pickle fork at all, and I love how dry this boat is.

[talltigeguy]

Awesome pictures that truly show the stability of the Z3. It is because of your and Surfdad's experience with the prototype and testing the final production, and then owning one, is why I want a Z3. Here are my perceived Pros and Cons that I see with my limited experience with the boat:

Pros:
Amazing wake for both surf and wakeboard
Very little list for surfing
Very comfortable interior cushions
Very functional and comfortable transom - I really like this
Awesome stock ballast

Cons:
Main cockpit is a little cramped for leg room if many people
Personal choice: I like an option to either have a bow cushion or walk through bow

In essence I want this boat, but just a little bit bigger, and how cool would it be to have a Z3 pickle fork?

I think that I will be buying a new boat either at the end of this season or next season. I know my next step is to do a water test.

I am reserving judgement on the wakeboard wake. I have seen the video of Ruck killing it, but he also is using supplemental ballast, and he is, well....Ruck. He could do what he does behind an 18 foot Ranger bass boat. I have always felt that wakeboard wake pictures and videos are not useful. I am still hoping to hear more opinions from normal people about the wakeboard wake before I get too excited about it.

With any luck, one can be found at the Lake Mead reunion in September. Has anyone heard if the new TIge dealer in Vegas is stocking some TIges now?

And when we test drove the prototype Z3 last year, we had a boatload of guys in the boat and I didn't think it was cramped at all. You might not get 19 people like I had in my 247 last month, but that is another story.

[Moki]

With the amount of time and effort you are putting into research, schedule a trip out here, bring the whole family and get a REAL good demo.

I don't miss the pickle fork at all, and I love how dry this boat is.

There is no question that is the best way to really get a feel for the boat. Are you coming to the Lake Meade reunion? I can get a demo here but would like to see your setup.

I just noticed that you are storing your surfboards in the bimini, is that stock or custom?

[Moki]

I am reserving judgement on the wakeboard wake. I have seen the video of Ruck killing it, but he also is using supplemental ballast, and he is, well....Ruck. He could do what he does behind an 18 foot Ranger bass boat. I have always felt that wakeboard wake pictures and videos are not useful. I am still hoping to hear more opinions from normal people about the wakeboard wake before I get too excited about it.

With any luck, one can be found at the Lake Mead reunion in September. Has anyone heard if the new TIge dealer in Vegas is stocking some TIges now?

And when we test drove the prototype Z3 last year, we had a boatload of guys in the boat and I didn't think it was cramped at all. You might not get 19 people like I had in my 247 last month, but that is another story.

True, Pros can make any wake look good. Go sit in an Z3 and then right after go sit in an RZ4. Don't take the analogy any further, but in terms of space, it feels like going from a toyota 4 runner to a Suburban. Both have their advantages, I am on the fence mentally if I want a bigger boat like RZ4 or something a little smaller like the Z3.

I need another family to come with on the demo!

[ragboy]

I am not sure, maybe is the best I can do at this point. ;-)