New RZ2 vs. Z3

[scottbaker44]

Hey all,

I'm new here and hope to get some opinions from y'all. I will be in the market for my first (own) boat this summer. I am graduating school this summer and plan to get my first boat. I have grown up around boats and my dad and I had a Moomba Mobius that I did most of the maintenance on. So I know what it entails. I want a boat that will comfortably seat 10 people and I will use it for surfing/chilling/boarding around 50%/25%/25%. I know a Tige will suit that criteria very well. I won't ever be super serious into the competition side, so this is more for the opportunity to enjoy the water, surf, and let the girls have a good time out on the lake. I have gotten to ride behind a Z3 many times and have already test driven the RZ2. I'm leaning heavily towards a Tige but am still keeping other options open. The RZ2 is by far my favorite boat that I've driven. I didn't have a board when I test drove it so I haven't gotten to ride it. But that can be arranged pretty easily. For only an extra foot, the Z3 feels much larger to me compared to the RZ2. But I also like the pickle fork better so it's hard for me to decide. The RZ4 will likely be out of the price range as well as towing capacity. I have a 2010 Ram Hemi but it's a 2wd. I plan to get a locker before towing. I hope to be out the door under 80K but that number is somewhat fluid if I absolutely fall in love with something. I am also open to something used in the 10-13 range but I do plan to keep this for a good amount of time and I value the 3 year service plan greatly, especially as a first time boat owner.

I'd also like to hear thoughts on dealers located in Texas and Oklahoma. I will be living in OKC, while working a rotation in Midland. I'll also be around the Austin and Houston areas. I've been building a relationship with the Ski Dock in Austin and have grown fond of them but other thoughts on other dealerships are appreciated.

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

-Scott

[IDBoating]

Strongly recommend expanding the radius of your search and checking with all dealers for several hundred miles in every direction regarding "leftovers" from previous model years. You can get a substantial discount on a brand-new boat with full factory warranty this way (it's what I did). Dealers order a few boats on spec, and if those don't sell by the time the next model year rolls around they get pretty motivated to move them out. This might save you some money, or move you into a larger/fancier model for the same price.

[robert theisen]

I love my RZ2. It will seat 10 people okay. I've also ridden behind the Z3. The Z3 definitely has more room for 10 to be comfortable. Just like you I prefer the RZ2 styling. You may want to consider a 2 to 3 year old RZ4. I've visited Ski Dock and they were some great folks there. Also visited Eagle Marine in Fort Worth. They were very nice there too. WWS in Denver has a very good reputation also. Fortes Inboard and auto connection has a great group of guys in Largo Florida(outside Tampa). I'm sure others can pass along stories about their dealers. I've met a lot of Tige dealers personnel and most are great people. How far are you willing to travel for a non current model year boat? I know you will be happy with a Tige if that's the boat you choose.

[Ewok]

I've had 12 adults on my boat a few times. They were not my crew of regulars so they all had a great time and the wake was fantastic and everyone had plenty of room to sit but to get stuff out of storage or out of coolers people had to get up and shuffle around a bit. I usually take 4-6 adults and 2-4 kids with us when we have other families come out and that's plenty of room. I was on the fence between the RZ2 or the 24ve and the bow on RZ2 makes it seem bigger than it is. It's the perfect size for my family and it's easy to trailer and put in my garage. The z3 is a bit bigger in the cabin but it's a much bigger and heavier boat than the RZ2. My best advice is to try to spend some time on the water with both and with as many people as you plan to take out and see which one suits you better.

[scottbaker44]

Thank y'all for the insight! I will be willing to travel ~500-750 miles if I find a deal worthwhile. I'm glad to hear that 10 will fit in the RZ2, I expect it to be pretty cozy though. But it will 21-23 year olds with half guys and girls so we won't mind getting cozy I will be riding a Z3 more in the next month so that will help. If I could get an 1-2 year old RZ4 that would be awesome, I just worry about towing that around.

[IDBoating]

If I could get an 1-2 year old RZ4 that would be awesome

Then check with distant dealers about leftover unsold 2012 and 2013 RZ4's. The engine and boat warranties start when you buy it, and you should get a substantial discount on a new boat 1-2 model years old. You could end up with a new RZ4 for less than the RZ2 and Z3 you've been looking at. Good luck!

[Tomp]

I was shopping non current z1 z2 and Malibu lsv 23 and mxz 22 and almost bought the mxz at a great price until my kid told me about negative reviews on surfing with that boat.

I had 3 great deals lined up on 2013 boats and never thought I would buy a new 2014 until I.was at the boat show.
Told salesman that I loved the show model but I could not pay the premium for a 2014, knowing I was going to buy something fast he asked me to make an offer closer to the leftover prices.
Happy and surprised I now own a sweet new Z 3 and am waiting for the ice to thaw.

[EricU]

Hey all,

I'm new here and hope to get some opinions from y'all. I will be in the market for my first (own) boat this summer. I am graduating school this summer and plan to get my first boat....

Scott, you are just graduating school and you are looking at $80k boats, wtf? Do you own a house yet? Did you get a bachelors or a doctorate?

My suggestion, look around and get a low hour RZ4, load it up with ballast, stereo and 22 year old girls - Trust me, 22 year old girls don't know or care about the difference between a 2010 or a brand new boat.

1. Get a used RZ4
2. Buy a house, one that you can store your boat at
3. Start working on your MS or MBA (unless you are already set for some reason, which would be great!)
4. Trade your truck in and get a F250 PSD or similar
5. Post lots of pics of your boat loaded up to make us old farts jealous
6. Have FUN!

[Ewok]

Also, remember the Z3 actually weighs more than the RZ4, 4640 for the Z3 while the RZ4 is 4485. And the Z3 sits higher on the trailer so it's harder to fit into a regular garage while I believe the RZ4 can fit into an 8' garage door. I have a 8' garage door and my RZ2 fits easily.

[scottbaker44]

Scott, you are just graduating school and you are looking at $80k boats, wtf? Do you own a house yet? Did you get a bachelors or a doctorate?

My suggestion, look around and get a low hour RZ4, load it up with ballast, stereo and 22 year old girls - Trust me, 22 year old girls don't know or care about the difference between a 2010 or a brand new boat.

1. Get a used RZ4
2. Buy a house, one that you can store your boat at
3. Start working on your MS or MBA (unless you are already set for some reason, which would be great!)
4. Trade your truck in and get a F250 PSD or similar
5. Post lots of pics of your boat loaded up to make us old farts jealous
6. Have FUN!

I do not own a house yet, and won't be in a position to get a house for about 15 months. I'm finishing up my bachelors in petroleum engineering from UT and have a great job aligned. I'll be working in Midland 2 weeks on/2 weeks off for about 5 months, living in OKC during the off weeks. Then I will be in another location, with housing covered by my company for about 9 months. I plan to get a house in 3-4 years after graduation. I will trade in truck if I find I need to for towing purposes. You're definitely right about girls not caring! I just want something I would be happy to hold onto for more than a few years. I appreciate the input!

[IDBoating]

And the Z3 sits higher on the trailer so it's harder to fit into a regular garage while I believe the RZ4 can fit into an 8' garage door. I have a 8' garage door and my RZ2 fits easily.

Is that with the tower up, or down? Can your RZ2 pass through an eight foot door with its tower up? I'm fairly certain my 24Ve cannot, and I bet the Z3 sits higher than the 24Ve on the trailer.

[EricU]

I do not own a house yet, and won't be in a position to get a house for about 15 months. I'm finishing up my bachelors in petroleum engineering from UT and have a great job aligned. I'll be working in Midland 2 weeks on/2 weeks off for about 5 months, living in OKC during the off weeks. Then I will be in another location, with housing covered by my company for about 9 months. I plan to get a house in 3-4 years after graduation. I will trade in truck if I find I need to for towing purposes. You're definitely right about girls not caring! I just want something I would be happy to hold onto for more than a few years. I appreciate the input!

Just out of college, Don't finance $80k for a new boat, doesn't make sense. Your an engineer, do the math on what the payments will be - unless it is a zero interest loan. Shop around for a low mileage RZ4, RZ2, 24Ve - there are lots of options out there. Dump 30-40k on a boat and you can get a house in TX with the money you save. Don't get locked into a 20 year boat loan at your age, (get a masters, it will help you later) then in a few years trade up. Hell for $18k you can get a Moomba that when weighted throws a bitchen wake and again, those 22 year old girls wont know the difference, just add a stereo (you will anyway)

At your age and living in Texas, you should be using the sh$! out of that boat, so if you have a twenty year loan on a boat, it will be trash in ten years. (did I mention that I suggest you get a masters degree, actually two?)

Anyway, happy hunting.

[scottbaker44]

Just out of college, Don't finance $80k for a new boat, doesn't make sense. Your an engineer, do the math on what the payments will be - unless it is a zero interest loan. Shop around for a low mileage RZ4, RZ2, 24Ve - there are lots of options out there. Dump 30-40k on a boat and you can get a house in TX with the money you save. Don't get locked into a 20 year boat loan at your age, (get a masters, it will help you later) then in a few years trade up. Hell for $18k you can get a Moomba that when weighted throws a bitchen wake and again, those 22 year old girls wont know the difference, just add a stereo (you will anyway)

At your age and living in Texas, you should be using the sh$! out of that boat, so if you have a twenty year loan on a boat, it will be trash in ten years. (did I mention that I suggest you get a masters degree, actually two?)

Anyway, happy hunting.

I won't finance anything more than about 8 years and I'll put somewhere around 20% down of whatever I get. I also plan to have it paid off in 4ish years so length of the note isn't terribly important anyway. I will be getting an MBA in a few years (when my company will pay for me to get it )

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

Which oil company are you going to work for?

[scottbaker44]

Which oil company are you going to work for?

I'll be at Devon Energy.