Help configure my new RZ2/4

[Cloud]

Hello Everyone!

We are in the process of picking up a new RZ2/4. Having a hard time trying to figure out
which one to buy and hoping to find some answers here.

First of all, is the bigger engine worth it? We are leaning towards the 455hp engine. I know that these boats are not meant for speed, but the salesperson told me that the top speed wouldn't increase with the bigger engine, so it it mainly for when the boat is loaded up?

Also is the bow area bigger in the RZ4 compared to the RZ2, or is the 2 feet just in the midsection?

I believe pricing wise we are getting a pretty good deal since he's offering about a 22% discount off msrp.

Appreciate any input you guys have, thanks for looking!

[chpthril]

These boats are work trucks, not race cars. The biggest engine you can afford, is often never a bad decision.

Yes, the 2ft is in the mid section.

Good luck and post up some pics of your color combo.

[boardman74]

We rode an RZ4 this summer and the bow is huge. I would say that you get almost all the extra 2 feet up front. The bow is significantly wider and longer than the RZ2. Its huge!! Plus we were able to have 2 adults up there and not worry about dunking the bow. RZ4 is a monster!!

[Coop]

When I was comparing these boats (back in 2011), I was always told that the RZ4 had one extra foot in the bow and one extra foot in the cabin. I don't think I ever measured, but that looked about right to me.

I have the RZ2 with the 343, and it's never felt underpowered. I don't use ballast for wakeboarding, though -- just for surfing.

Good luck with the decision. Either way, you'll end up with a great boat.

[Surf406]

If you go with the rz2 go with the standard 350 ls1 engine that's what I have and that thing is super snappy the rz4 being a bigger boat I would go with the standard engine as well unless you want the 6.0 liter and have the extra coin for it either way there both a really sweet package

[Duncan]

We put a 409 in our RZ2 (running an Acme 1235 prop) and I have always been happy with it. The bigger engine and prop give us all the power we need to run fully loaded under surf ballast with quick plane/wave formation and little to no slippage.

Once upon a time, the RZ4 was much harder to get a good surf wake on. I do not know if this still holds true with the VX.

Unless you really, really need the extra room, you might go with the snappier RZ2. Certainly demo both of them, including surf wave.

[Matt Garcia]

First of all, is the bigger engine worth it? We are leaning towards the 455hp engine. I know that these boats are not meant for speed, but the salesperson told me that the top speed wouldn't increase with the bigger engine, so it it mainly for when the boat is loaded up?

What type of sport will you be doing primarily? Wakesurfing or slamming the boat with 2500 pounds or more for wakeboarding? Theres a big difference from going 10-12mph and only getting half way on plane (wakesurfing) versus 22-24mph and getting all the way on plane (wakeboarding).

[Timmy!]

Also, where do you live?

[Cloud]

Thanks for the replies you guys. I spend half my time in Seattle and half my time in Portland due to family and job.

We are primarily going to do wakeboarding, if not exclusively. We were going to go with the ConvexVX until we found out it's for wakesurfing, might as well save the coin.

We are leaning towards the RZ4 at this point since we like taking a group of people out and having the room. Just wondering if anyone knows for sure if there is extra room in bow.

[Ewok]

Yes, there is a little extra room in the bow but it's not any wider, just a little longer, and the cabin is a little longer as well. If you have a chance you should try to get out on each one or at least climb around on them in the dealership. I went with the RZ2 because I keep it in my garage. I've been out on Dingleberry's RZ4 and the extra room is very nice, you won't regret it. If you plan on doing any surfing I would go with the convex VX, it should help weighting the RZ4 and get a cleaner wave on both sides, but it doesn't make any difference for the wakeboarding wake.

If you haven't heard there is a newer boat coming out soon that is more wakeboarding specific and it should be somewhere between the RZ2 and 4 in size. Wait until after 2 Oct before you make up your mind.

[Timmy!]

There's definitely extra room in the RZ4 bow over the RZ2. RZ4 is a big boat!

[IDBoating]

Thanks for the replies you guys. I spend half my time in Seattle and half my time in Portland due to family and job.

Then altitude will not drive your engine selection.

We are primarily going to do wakeboarding, if not exclusively.

Yeah, that's what we said when we got our boat. Guess what? The wakeboards (we have four or five, I've lost count) never even went on the boat this season. Not even once. Last season we might have pulled a wakeboarder one time, maybe. And we put well over 100 hours a season on our boat, live on waterfront property, and our boat ties up at our own dock on our own beach so it's not like it's inconvenient. We'd go wakeboarding if anyone wanted to, but nobody does. Once people surf, that's what they want to do - even the wakeboarders. Choose your boat with that in mind!

We are leaning towards the RZ4 at this point since we like taking a group of people out and having the room.

The RZ4 adds two (17) to the adult capacity of the boat over the RZ2's rating (15). Give serious thought to just how often you might really need those extra two. Unless it's 90%+ of the time, I'd favor the RZ2. It will cost less, have higher performance with a given engine, be easier to ballast (the bigger boats CAN give you a bigger wave but require a real commitment to ballasting to get there), trailer easier, etc. Usually it's a poor decision to optimize for rare events, so unless you honestly think you'll have more than 15 people most of the time, those extra two seats will go empty most of the time but you'll be paying for them ALL of the time.

Congratulations on your upcoming purchase, and report back! Everyone here loves to stay involved in the buying process. We sort of live vicariously through other people's wallets....

[LKG PH Creek]

We sort of live vicariously through other people's wallets....

Gotta love it!

[JohnnieMo]

If you go with the rz2 go with the standard 350 ls1 engine that's what I have and that thing is super snappy the rz4 being a bigger boat I would go with the standard engine as well unless you want the 6.0 liter and have the extra coin for it either way there both a really sweet package

With the Indmar, is the 5.7L engine now the LS1 GenIII small block? Or is it still the old LT1 Gen II block?

If it is truly the LS1, then I'm happy with the move from PCM.

[Timmy!]

With the Indmar, is the 5.7L engine now the LS1 GenIII small block? Or is it still the old LT1 Gen II block?

If it is truly the LS1, then I'm happy with the move from PCM.

No! You have to get the 455 hp motor to get the LS3. Not an LT1 either, LT1 is reverse cooling and opti-spark, just the last iron small block Chevy like everyone else is doing.