RZ2 or RZ4

[tommy1005]

Been looking at Tige's for awhile and finally have it narrowed to the RZ2 and RZ4. We spend maybe 25% of our time riding, surfing, on the skis, tubing, etc. and the other 75% just hanging out at a sandbar. We also have a 1 year old son, so I'm sure those percentages will be changing as he gets older. I'm planning on going for the 550hp LSA because I know I won't be happy unless I get the biggest motor I can. Just trying to figure out which boat will be better. I've been on both and like the size of the RZ4, but the wake seems to be a little cleaner behind the RZ2. I plan on getting the convex vx and the pro ballast on either boat and all the stereo we can order from Tige, then I'll probably add more to it, since that's what I do for fun is sell and install stereo systems. Any other options I should think about?

I personally would prefer the Z3, but my wife likes the pickle fork front end and the fact that she doesn't have to crawl over the cooler to get to the bow when on the RZ2 or RZ4.

Thanks for your help.

Tommy

[Nobody]

Been looking at Tige's for awhile and finally have it narrowed to the RZ2 and RZ4. We spend maybe 25% of our time riding, surfing, on the skis, tubing, etc. and the other 75% just hanging out at a sandbar. We also have a 1 year old son, so I'm sure those percentages will be changing as he gets older. I'm planning on going for the 550hp LSA because I know I won't be happy unless I get the biggest motor I can. Just trying to figure out which boat will be better. I've been on both and like the size of the RZ4, but the wake seems to be a little cleaner behind the RZ2. I plan on getting the convex vx and the pro ballast on either boat and all the stereo we can order from Tige, then I'll probably add more to it, since that's what I do for fun is sell and install stereo systems. Any other options I should think about?

I personally would prefer the Z3, but my wife likes the pickle fork front end and the fact that she doesn't have to crawl over the cooler to get to the bow when on the RZ2 or RZ4.

Thanks for your help.

Tommy

BIGGER IS BETTER! RZ4....NO IF AND OR BUTS

[Duncan]

I personally would prefer the Z3, but my wife likes the pickle fork front end and the fact that she doesn't have to crawl over the cooler to get to the bow when on the RZ2 or RZ4.

Rumor of a 2014 RZ2/RZ4 re-design with Z3-like hull and features. If true, pickle front bow with high gunnels and low-lean surf wave would be ... awesome.

I love our pickle front for all the room. I wanted the more nimble handling of the RZ2 but we board 80%+ of time on the water. The RZ2 also puts out a better surf wave. At times with big crowds, I wish I had more space but then I remember I really like smaller boating crowds anyways

And I have never regretted the 409 upgrade though I do not think we necessarily "need" it. Makes me happy though.

[tommy1005]

And I have never regretted the 409 upgrade though I do not think we necessarily "need" it. Makes me happy though.

This is why I'm going with the 550 horse motor......don't necessarily "need" it, but not sure I'd be happy knowing it was an option and not checking that box. Drove an RZ4 with the 409 and it's definitely enough motor for the RZ4, just a little extra never hurt anybody. I also thought about the 450, but it requires 93 octane and it appears the XS550 does not.

[robert theisen]

How many people will you carry out with you on a regular basis? Will you mostly wakeboard,Surf or Ski?

[Davidggriffith]

I'm pretty sure the xs550 needs the 93 octane

[rensink]

With 25% of your time riding I would without a doubt pick the Rz4 because they are much roomier and handle the rougher water obviously a little better. The Rz2 hands down is my favorite wake out of the two for wakeboarding but I've grown accustomed to it so I'm biased even after owning both. Over the next couple years your son and friends will be more then happy with the wake the Rz4 puts out for surfing and wakeboarding even skiing if thats your preference. The Rz2 is rated for 15 people where the Rz4 is rated for 17 in my honest opinion anything over 10 gets crowded in the Rz2 when boarding and such just because people seem to always be in the way when getting boards out of the racks, setting the line, and constantly moving the wake will sometimes suffer where with under 10 people seem to find their area with a group and stay there just sometimes have to ask them to slid one way to make the boat balance. The Rz4 when having more then 10 people is king just because the room it offers but the wakeboard wake is tougher to dial in and definitely doesn't like to form at slower speeds I always found myself riding fast anywhere around 24.5-25.2mph with 75ft mainline taps at 5 or 6 to really get a good firm wake with ballast the slowest I ever got a clean wake was 22-23 with just bow weight.

The PCM 550xs requires premium fuel 91+ octane non ethanol although they say their motors can tolerate up to 10% but if I had to guess the ECM would have the fuel management system knock timing to prevent detonation thus reducing the hp but not positive on that. I would do whatever you can if you choose this option to stay away from ethanol and even regular fuel if you can.

[Duncan]

The PCM 550xs requires premium fuel 91+ octane non ethanol although they say their motors can tolerate up to 10% but if I had to guess the ECM would have the fuel management system knock timing to prevent detonation thus reducing the hp but not positive on that. I would do whatever you can if you choose this option to stay away from ethanol and even regular fuel if you can.

I have a heavily modified and tuned MINI Cooper that is VERY picky about fuel. There is no way I would want to have those issues on a wake boat. With really bad gas (looking at you

edit: (looking at you Twin Cove Marina, Norris Lake). With really bad gas, our 409 PCM will throw an alarm.

[rensink]

I have a heavily modified and tuned MINI Cooper that is VERY picky about fuel. There is no way I would want to have those issues on a wake boat. With really bad gas (looking at you

I run premium fuel in my ZR409 so not sure what the end of that was referring to about "looking at you" unless it was meant for an emoticon. The PCM website is finally back up and running couldn't get on it this morning their most recent manual is 2011 where they have just up to the ZR450 this motor requires premium fuel they claim 93 octane so if I had to guess the 550XS no doubt requires the premium fuel.

[Bruizza]

I personally would prefer the Z3, but my wife likes the pickle fork front end and the fact that she doesn't have to crawl over the cooler to get to the bow when on the RZ2 or RZ4.

Thanks for your help.

Tommy[/QUOTE]

Not sure I am following this part of your post. Unless I am totally wrong here the cooler for the RZ2/4 and Z3 are in the same spot. Which is the "walkway" between the main cabin and the bow. I know for sure in our 2012 RZ2 that is where it is. I also know they changed that for 2012 so I doubt it has been changed back for 2013. So while she gets the pickle fork option she is climbing over the cooler regardless of what boat you get.

[Bruizza]

Also why on earth would you want a supercharged engine and not want to run 93 in it? Also why on earth would you pay the extra 15k or whatever it is for a 550hp engine if you are worried about saving a few bucks per fill up by not putting 93 octane in it?????

[Nobody]

Also why on earth would you want a supercharged engine and not want to run 93 in it? Also why on earth would you pay the extra 15k or whatever it is for a 550hp engine if you are worried about saving a few bucks per fill up by not putting 93 octane in it?????

Probably the same reason people vote Republican. No understandable logic behind it nor logic needed.

Having an RZ4....I could NEVER fit into a RZ2.....way too puny.

If they made an RZ5....it would be time to sell the RZ4 and upgrade.

[Duncan]

Also why on earth would you want a supercharged engine and not want to run 93 in it? Also why on earth would you pay the extra 15k or whatever it is for a 550hp engine if you are worried about saving a few bucks per fill up by not putting 93 octane in it?????

many marinas I have been to do not have high octane fuel (especially areas where there are no go-fast boats). I guess you could get bottles of octane booster. I suspect aversion to high octane, non-ethanol fuel is related to difficulty in finding it rather than the premium cost.

[Duncan]

not sure what the end of that was referring to about "looking at you" unless it was meant for an emoticon.

Oops, sorry for misunderstanding. Part of my post got cut off. Edited above for clarity.

[tommy1005]

I personally would prefer the Z3, but my wife likes the pickle fork front end and the fact that she doesn't have to crawl over the cooler to get to the bow when on the RZ2 or RZ4.

Thanks for your help.

Tommy

Not sure I am following this part of your post. Unless I am totally wrong here the cooler for the RZ2/4 and Z3 are in the same spot. Which is the "walkway" between the main cabin and the bow. I know for sure in our 2012 RZ2 that is where it is. I also know they changed that for 2012 so I doubt it has been changed back for 2013. So while she gets the pickle fork option she is climbing over the cooler regardless of what boat you get.[/QUOTE]

In the RZ2 and RZ4, the cooler stops at the back rest for the bow seats.....in the Z3, the cooler extends into the walkway between the helm and passenger side storage. So, yes, they both have built in coolers, she just thought it was easier to access the bow in the RZ2/4 since the cooler ends closer to the seating area.