HELP PLEASE: 2013 z3 w/409 or 2013 z3 w/343 and convex vx.

[majestic]

Think we should just leave it off? I could always do a surf flap.

If the Z3 you are riding behind has spray issues the flap will cure that and keep the push in the wave. What made the Z3 with AVX great is it offered so much adjustability. I am sure someone has found the Magic fixed VX set up.

[duffymahoney]

If the Z3 you are riding behind has spray issues the flap will cure that and keep the push in the wave. What made the Z3 with AVX great is it offered so much adjustability. I am sure someone has found the Magic fixed VX set up.

Sorry VX. The AVX is a much much better design.

[Z3CO23]

The AVX is a much better design but the VX will throw a great wave too. The owners who got wrong brackets with their VX's definitely had "lack of push," issues. I've rode a correctly angled VX boat and thought it was every bit as powerful as the non VX boats. The transition is mellower on a VX boat as well. I personally would pull the trigger on a boat with VX.

I agree about the bag in the rear locker being a bigger fly high bag than the factory bag.

[majestic]

Sorry VX. The AVX is a much much better design.

Non VX with a flap will look more familiar to your 24V.

[cpobanz]

I personally would pull the trigger on a boat with VX.

Would you pull the trigger if it cost 3-5k more on average. Seems like all the used boats I'm looking at are getting 3-5k extra for it. For example, I found 2012 z3 with the super big 450 pcm motor, and pro ballast for 64k with 200 hrs. Or I could get a 2013 with a convex vx with pro ballast and and a 343 with 250 hours for 68K. Or I could spend 81 k for a 2015 with avx, pro ballast, but I don't really want to do that, exceeding my budget. I'm by no means a professional surfer, but I want to buy the boat that will hold its value the best. I know some people view the convex vx as the experiment that was okay, but discontinued. hmm...decisions...

[Greeko]

I was in the same boat..he he

Looked at a 13,14 Z3 and a 15 Z3. Heres what made the difference:

15 Z3
Better resolution and reliability Controller/Screen FW Murphy (not crappy medallion system)
Better motor; fuel economy and power
VX is great..but Adjustable VX...Seriously the best thing ever. I can make the wave perfect for everyone. Length, Height, push, shape...its all at the touch of my fingers.
Free service for 3 years...saves you 1500+
5 year warranty on engine....
3 year full warranty on boat...
Getting to pick my own colours and options was quite nice as well...

Adding up all the little bits and pieces for yourself. Is 250 hours, an adjustable wave, free service and an extra 2 years warranty worth 13K?.....

Just food for thought...

Good luck with your decision. I would go new personally

[007]

While I made the same choice as Greeko and would again, I am not sure the 3 years of free service is still on the table. Of course now the question is AVX vs. TAPS 3...my dealer is selling the crap out of the TAPS3.

Back to the OP's question. I have a friend with a 2013 343 VX. He put bigger sacs in the rear and had a stellar wave! I have never surfed a non VX Z3. I did surf and under ballasted VX Z3 and was disappointed. The VX likes more weight than came from the factory.

I was in the same boat..he he

Looked at a 13,14 Z3 and a 15 Z3. Heres what made the difference:

15 Z3
Better resolution and reliability Controller/Screen FW Murphy (not crappy medallion system)
Better motor; fuel economy and power
VX is great..but Adjustable VX...Seriously the best thing ever. I can make the wave perfect for everyone. Length, Height, push, shape...its all at the touch of my fingers.
Free service for 3 years...saves you 1500+
5 year warranty on engine....
3 year full warranty on boat...
Getting to pick my own colours and options was quite nice as well...

Adding up all the little bits and pieces for yourself. Is 250 hours, an adjustable wave, free service and an extra 2 years warranty worth 13K?.....

Just food for thought...

Good luck with your decision. I would go new personally

[CarFanatic]

I have a 2014 VX with indmar 350. If I were you I would search for a 2014, or 2015 z3. Or if you get the 2013 with vx, run wake 9's sacs, with there taps plate, and the modified brackets on the vx. My wave is Super clean on both sides.

[cpobanz]

I have a 2014 VX with indmar 350. If I were you I would search for a 2014, or 2015 z3. Or if you get the 2013 with vx, run wake 9's sacs, with there taps plate, and the modified brackets on the vx. My wave is Super clean on both sides.

Did tige change the bracket for the vx, in 2014?

[CarFanatic]

yes, half way through the year I believe they updated it, or part way through...

I had my vx modified for the new brackets.

[Z3CO23]

Would you pull the trigger if it cost 3-5k more on average. Seems like all the used boats I'm looking at are getting 3-5k extra for it. For example, I found 2012 z3 with the super big 450 pcm motor, and pro ballast for 64k with 200 hrs. Or I could get a 2013 with a convex vx with pro ballast and and a 343 with 250 hours for 68K. Or I could spend 81 k for a 2015 with avx, pro ballast, but I don't really want to do that, exceeding my budget. I'm by no means a professional surfer, but I want to buy the boat that will hold its value the best. I know some people view the convex vx as the experiment that was okay, but discontinued. hmm...decisions...

If you're going to stick with a 2013 to keep cost down I would definitely spend the extra money to get a boat with the VX. I say that because it will be almost impossible for you to find an after-market VX if you decide down the road you want one. It's a lot easier to decide you don't like it when you already have one and just take it off then it is to do the opposite. The AVX is great but if it's strain to the budget then it's not worth it, got to be able to enjoy the new toy.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

I would get the one with the bigger engine. If you really want a convex vx there is one on eBay for a z1/z3 for 800 bucks or so right now.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/TIGE-VX-Extens...023?nav=SEARCH
There's the link.

[hycosurf]

I would definitely get the boat with the bigger engine, you will be much happier with a bigger engine and you can always add the vX later where upsizing the engine later wouldn't make sense. I think the Z3 needs the 409 engine. Not to mention a few of us on here are adding a surf tab system anyways as opposed to the VX system. I sold the VX just so I can do it.

[chpthril]

and you can always add the vX later

How so, Tige retired the VX, so availability would be limited to used/secondary finding. I know theres one linked on ebay above, but it may be gone by time the OP inks the boat deal. If be grabbed it up now, then what if the boat deal falls through?

Now, if the OP is prepared to drop the 4K for an aftermarket surf system, then yes, get the Z3 with the larger engine and no VX. I think the Z3 with the TRAPS 3 was best Z3 wave ive ever seen.