So I got some good time this weekend on a brand new 2016 Z3 with TAPS3. I have refrained from giving any solid info on the Z3 with TAPS3 because of the first time we were on one. It was when they were first out as a prototype and the day and location was bad conditions and I just didn't get a good feel if it really worked well or not, and how it compared to the AVX on the Z3.
Well I have grown to love the RZX with TAPS3 but this hull is so radically different, I didn't want to make the leap unless I was sure. I have so many emails and PMs from people wanting to know which would be better, the AVX or TAPS3 and how the TAPS3 works on the Z3.
Well I met a brand new owner that asked us to help him setup his new Z3. We got on the boat and it was the first day out and bone stock. He had already been out most of the day and was having a bit of trouble finding the wake. So I got in and he told me which settings he was working with. That didn't make a lot of sense to me from my experience on the RZX. So I told him to try out what I would think would work, and lets go from there.
1. Set TAPS3 to 1 (all the way down). I have found it best to just leave this all the way down on the RZX and just use TAPS2.
2. Set TAPS2 to 3 to start and we can adjust to taste from there.
3. Fill everything up all the way until the bags are leaking out of the vents so you are sure they are full. Check the rears to make sure nothing is bunching up, just to be safe. (all of that was good, tige has done a good job of tying up those bags in place).
4. Adjust peeps so that we have 2 degrees of list on the clinometer toward the regular side (the first side we were trying).
5. Set speed for 11.6.
We got underway and the owner was helping his son and they were learning the controls still and having trouble with the speed control, so it was taking a while to get up to speed. Once he found it and we were up to speed the wake looked perfect. I looked at the owner and he wasn't paying attention, he was watching his son. So I tapped his shoulder and pointed to the wake and asked him if he had anything close to that so far. He looks, his eyes got real big and he says, "HOLY SH*T!!". It was pretty funny.
Then I told them to switch to goofy and bam, it was good but could be a bit cleaner, so I moved peeps a bit (not much) to give us about the same 2 degrees to that side and it was GREAT.
I am going to do a full video and the like, so I am very sorry to tease, but I will post a few screen grabs from the video.
Before the screen grabs, a couple of points.
1. The wake stock was great, as good or better than we had the AVX stock.
2. Just like the AVX Stock, you had to surf with the TAPS at higher positions to get some steepness and height if you wanted. A bit more weight in the corners would help that if you desired.
3. The Z3 with TAPS3 was super clean, and switched easier and cleaner than even the RZX. The RZX wake is massive and powerful but needs a bit more list to clean up the wake.
4. The AVX and taps3 shine the best at 11.4-11.6. If you like slower speeds like 10.6 or 10.8, try to get used to 11.2, the wake is so much nicer at those speeds. Longer, still lots of push due to the convex v hull, and it is harder. 10.6 is like skateboarding on the carpet, and 11.6 is like skateboarding on the concrete. (roughly ;-) )
5. I still think the AVX is a bit more adjustable and maybe you could get a bit better wake listed with the AVX. The AVX is also going to give you better fuel economy than level weighted taps3. In my experience, level weighted equivalent wakes are going to cost 25%-50% more in fuel, depending on your boat and weight. That said, the benefit of unlisted surfing and sending any rider out at any time with little to no adjustment is worth that IMHO. I would choose the TAPS3 over AVX on the Z3 if I were buying a boat today, but would not feel left out at all with the AVX. They are very close.
Stay tuned for video and stuff.
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Well I have grown to love the RZX with TAPS3 but this hull is so radically different, I didn't want to make the leap unless I was sure. I have so many emails and PMs from people wanting to know which would be better, the AVX or TAPS3 and how the TAPS3 works on the Z3.
Well I met a brand new owner that asked us to help him setup his new Z3. We got on the boat and it was the first day out and bone stock. He had already been out most of the day and was having a bit of trouble finding the wake. So I got in and he told me which settings he was working with. That didn't make a lot of sense to me from my experience on the RZX. So I told him to try out what I would think would work, and lets go from there.
1. Set TAPS3 to 1 (all the way down). I have found it best to just leave this all the way down on the RZX and just use TAPS2.
2. Set TAPS2 to 3 to start and we can adjust to taste from there.
3. Fill everything up all the way until the bags are leaking out of the vents so you are sure they are full. Check the rears to make sure nothing is bunching up, just to be safe. (all of that was good, tige has done a good job of tying up those bags in place).
4. Adjust peeps so that we have 2 degrees of list on the clinometer toward the regular side (the first side we were trying).
5. Set speed for 11.6.
We got underway and the owner was helping his son and they were learning the controls still and having trouble with the speed control, so it was taking a while to get up to speed. Once he found it and we were up to speed the wake looked perfect. I looked at the owner and he wasn't paying attention, he was watching his son. So I tapped his shoulder and pointed to the wake and asked him if he had anything close to that so far. He looks, his eyes got real big and he says, "HOLY SH*T!!". It was pretty funny.
Then I told them to switch to goofy and bam, it was good but could be a bit cleaner, so I moved peeps a bit (not much) to give us about the same 2 degrees to that side and it was GREAT.
I am going to do a full video and the like, so I am very sorry to tease, but I will post a few screen grabs from the video.
Before the screen grabs, a couple of points.
1. The wake stock was great, as good or better than we had the AVX stock.
2. Just like the AVX Stock, you had to surf with the TAPS at higher positions to get some steepness and height if you wanted. A bit more weight in the corners would help that if you desired.
3. The Z3 with TAPS3 was super clean, and switched easier and cleaner than even the RZX. The RZX wake is massive and powerful but needs a bit more list to clean up the wake.
4. The AVX and taps3 shine the best at 11.4-11.6. If you like slower speeds like 10.6 or 10.8, try to get used to 11.2, the wake is so much nicer at those speeds. Longer, still lots of push due to the convex v hull, and it is harder. 10.6 is like skateboarding on the carpet, and 11.6 is like skateboarding on the concrete. (roughly ;-) )
5. I still think the AVX is a bit more adjustable and maybe you could get a bit better wake listed with the AVX. The AVX is also going to give you better fuel economy than level weighted taps3. In my experience, level weighted equivalent wakes are going to cost 25%-50% more in fuel, depending on your boat and weight. That said, the benefit of unlisted surfing and sending any rider out at any time with little to no adjustment is worth that IMHO. I would choose the TAPS3 over AVX on the Z3 if I were buying a boat today, but would not feel left out at all with the AVX. They are very close.
Stay tuned for video and stuff.
1B7408EF-08A2-42E3-B746-4DDD66D90086.jpg
1D1F0440-23E4-48E8-BE8B-7485D0C9DDFC.jpg
1FAF8CE6-B804-4E6E-B2BB-7D36195A44B7.jpg
IMG_6576.jpg
... But those settings and the extra 300lbs in lead is unreal....
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