2013 Tige Z1

[Stealthall]

Need your help guys and gals.

This is our first wake/surf boat (I grew up with boats and know my way around Whalers, etc). Here's the deal, I am trying to decide between a brand new 2015 MB Sports F21 (amazing deal), 2013 Tige Z1 (used, under 60 hrs) and there is a brand new 2013 Centurion Avalanche C4 I can get to we want to be able to surf, board and all the other stuff like tube. First question is what do I need to be aware of with the 13' Z1 and where the limits are and pros and cons with the boat. Also, seeing how this is a Tige forum, need some open minded advice on what the heck to do!!! I love the technology and look of the Tige and the MB is such a crazy awesome deal and I get the Raptor motor plus custom order it, and the Centurion would be brand new as well. One last thing, since I will be new to surfing and Wake boats, I am not concerned with the crazy stuff like, the biggest wave, loudest sound system, stuff like that. Quality boat that can do anything we want....

Help....

[chpthril]

2015 MB if it has the Raptor engine and surf system, done, end of story. beyond that, I would take the used 2013 Z1 over a new 2013 Avy C4. Get in the boats, climb around, sit in the seats and note which ine you are sitting in a more natural position, dig through the storage, etc. You may make up your mind prior to a sea trial.

[Stealthall]

Thanks for the info. The MB would have stock ballast and the CAV plate...not the new Surf System...change your thoughts now?

[chpthril]

If I am reading your initial post correctly, you are spec'ing out the MB, so it will be ordered to your wants? If so, then get the surf system. If its on a dealer's lot already and does not have the surf system, then its a tough call. I know what the Z1 can do surf wave wise, but dont know if the MB 21 hull changed for 2015 like the others. Dont know how that new hull surfs without the surf system.

[gibbs114]

That's a tough call but I would buy new MB over used Tige. I have a 14 Z1 and love the boat all around the Tige will put out an amazing wake and will be a nicer boat but the MB will get the job done.


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[lee]

To me it would depend on who would be servicing the boats. If you will be using a dealer, then who is the one that is going to take care of you the best.

[JohnnieMo]

I have a '13 Z1. It is an awesome boat overall. The interior and finish is top notch. The power plant is good no matter which option is there. Guys get excited about the Raptor motor, but there is no problem with the PCMs either. Plenty of go. With the Vx, it creates a great, clean wave with little fuss.

The downsides are few and most can be fixed. The ballast is not enough. Count on a $1000+ ballast upgrade right off the bat, plus a $500+ prop upgrade.

Only issue to look for is the Boatmate trailer prop guard problem. Basically Boatmate got cheap and didn't redesign for the new model year boat. As a result, the propeller can ding the prop guard. They fix it by shimming the trailer bunks higher. Measure the distance between the propeller and the guard when it's sitting on the trailer. If it isn't more than an inch, you'll want the shims (for your eventual prop upgrade)

The only thing I don't like and can't fix is that the boat will list easily while at speed. It doesn't like to stay flat. Try it on the water and see if you can live with it. I know guys who can't. It's annoying to spend $80k on a boat that doesn't sit flat. My 3 year old will walk around the boat while its moving and cause it to tip from side to side.

[Dandy]

Stelthall - One thing I have to say about the folks on this forum, is that you will get more honest, open, unbiased opinions and information than probably any of the other watersports forums. The folks on here (with a few exceptions) seem to be boat enthusiasts and most often don't approach with brand blinders on. There are many members that are active that don't even own Tiges - in most cased these folks either used to or are interested in. This is a great resource for you in your boat search.

That said, I am one of the folks that previously owned a Tige...a '13 Z1 to be exact. JohnniMo is a great dude and will give the truth. If you search for his posts, you will see that he has had several challenges but continues to be a huge Tige fan and supporter. Everything he has stated is very true.

Note: The trailer issue is only if the boat has a BoatMate trailer, it doesn't sound as if this was an issue with other brands built for the '13 Z1s. BoatMates answer was simply to shim the bunks, mine had been shimmed with two 1/2" thick pieces (equaling 1") of plastic on every location that the bunk connected to the trailer...this is the way it NEEDS to be done. It sounds as if some of the shim kits didn't have all the pieces or the dealers were lazy and just installed some on the rear of the bunks...they need to be at all connection points.
Here is a link regarding this
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...earance-Issues


As mentioned, get in the boat and check out the fit and finish. I have no experience with MBs. I do know that the Tige Z1 will sit high out of the water and is a deep boat, which feels very safe when listed for surfing. This is not the case with the Centurions - they start low in the water with a fairly short freeboard (exceptions are the FX44, FS44 and FS33) and really have to be listed low to the water to get the surf wave. If you and your family haven't been in a boat like this, I would suggest making sure you water demo it to be sure you are comfortable with that or look at your other options. I also found that the Centurions observers seats are angled and stick into the walkthrough, which really narrows down the walk way...didn't like. They also have several controls on each side of the steering wheel...if its too difficult to operate you may find yourself driving a lot and not getting anyone else willing to tow you, or get you a good tow.

The fit/finish on the 13 Tiges was great. As JMo mentioned, the Z1 is very weight sensitive from side to side. On the 13s they didn't have the "magic button" which was simply a separate acc switch so that the stereo and Tige Touch didn't turn off with the ignition. A lot of owner's added it and it is worth the add. See the link below regarding this.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...-Phase-1-and-2

If the 13 Z1 has the VX Surf shaper (it is really a great item), some of the early 13 builds (delivered up until late July-Early August) had incorrect VX brackets. The wrong brackets SUCK. Tige did replace them, but it does not sound as if all of them may have made it in to the dealer to be replaced. Below is a link regarding this.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...ckets-question

Another thing...Dealer, dealer, dealer. If you do not have good dealer support the time you can use your boat may be limited, unless you do all of your own work. A quality supporting dealer, with nearby proximity is worth their weight in gold. Make sure they have a strong parts inventory as well...if they don't have it they have to wait just to start working on your boat.

A new boat is nice due to warranty, but most new boats will have a few small quirks that will have to get worked out under warranty. A boat that has some use, if it had a good owner and dealer should already have these quirks worked out.

Good luck in your search. Boat shopping is fun!

[sandm]

since you posted this on ww, I'll put up here on pricing of the 3.
MB is $60
Centurion is high 50's
Z1 high 50's

before making a decision, it would come down to what the z1 has for options and what you are spec-ing out the new boats to have. board racks/stereo/pnp ballast/dual batts/wakeplate/vx and so on. I would lean more toward the mb as it doesn't have tigetouch. granted it's a little more manual, but I like the long term outlook of a simple switch vs tt. guessing the centurion has the same touchscreen the enzo's have as well.
all my .02 but any of them will make a great wave with some upgraded bags.

[DLafont]

I'm 100% with what Dandy posted, even more so on the dealer relationship part.

My current dealer is 3+ hour drive away, but I'm a client for life (or as long as I have a boat...).

These toys are expensive and sometimes finicky, they need TLC even more so for us guys with shorter seasons.

Fun problem to have, boils down to personal preferences and finances.

[007]

Don't know much about the MB's except that a buddy of mine is drooling over one, but there is no dealer near me so MB was never a choice. Dealer is very important as has been mentioned. These are not Fords or Chevy's and when they need service you want to be treated right. I would also recommend a test surf with a driver or sales rep that knows how to set up a boat so you can truly see what it can do and the characteristics of the boat/ride/performance. It helps if you can spend time on the water with a real boat owner...you get the good the bad and the ugly that way.

I have spent a lot of time in a buddies '14 and '15 Z1. They do rock a little, but can throw a very nice surf and wake boarding wake. As an aside, you mentioned tubing...probably not a good idea to pull a tube from the tower on any of the three.

This is not a dig on MB, but I am always leary about an "amazing deal". Ask a lot of questions, especially if it will be serviced by a different dealer than the one you buy it from.

[JohnnieMo]

Awww thanks Dandy. I won't let you down!

A Z1 in the 50's is a good deal. I wouldn't dream of selling mine for that one year later.

As I recall the only difference between '13 and '14 is the magic button and that raptor motor. Also some odd interior alterations (I've never liked the new art deco interiors). In '15 they added Tigé touch 2 and AVX.

Ragboy did some great testing with his custom Z1 bags. See his photo album here. https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/wake9/...7644232935916/

I think for a purchase like this you gotta follow your bliss. If you don't love your choice you will always regret it. I haven't tried the other boats so I have no basis for comparison.

Sent from my Passport

[dilpickle]

The '14 was the first year for Indmar engines, but they were still the GM's. The raptor is in the '15s & going forward.

[JohnnieMo]

The '14 was the first year for Indmar engines, but they were still the GM's. The raptor is in the '15s & going forward.

Good call. I knew I was missing something when I wrote that.

[Z1Fan]

Make sure you take the Z1 out for a ride, it's a rough boat, avy is a deep V, much better in the rough, the Z1 is a tippy boat and will chine lock, but I think best interior out of all of them, if you choose the Z1 make sure you get the VX, and you have to sack the heck out of it.... And CT W trailers had prop guard issues as well!!!