Looking at new R23 or R21

[tex599]

Looking at purchasing a new R23 and want to get any advice from those that own it. Coming from a Mastercraft X9, looked at the NXT22, just don’t feel you get much value for the cost. How’s the build quality on the Tige’s? How’s the surf wake out of the box? Is the base 360 engine enough, should I upgrade to the 400. Any other must have options? Also like the R21 as well. Thanks

[Surf406]

Here’s my 2 cents from being in every tige to date.
R23 is a bigger boat smoother ride and you have plenty of room for gear also I would do the 400 simply because they work really well tons of power and great power and power all around
Stock out of the box they work great and as far as a comparison to a MC I’ve rode behind all of the major other brands and was really disappointed it’s really pretty simple Tige’s have the best push on bother sides and do it way better than any other brand out there. Great customer factory support and love to see u in one

[Langwell]

Agreed , go 23 its the perfect size. I came from an xstar and have not been happier !

[JohnnieMo]

The R series is pretty much identical now to the Z series of 4 years ago. They basically just advanced the features of the Z series to have larger screens, nicer towers, interiors etc, and brought in the R series to fill the space left by them.

As for 21 vs 23, I think it really comes down to how much space you need. I've surfed both and don't find a ton of difference when comparing apples to apples.

[cnote]

I just came from an older (2008) Z1 and bought a new '18 R23. If you surf, go bigger if the budget will allow. Also get the Raptor 400. The 360 will do the job, but I did a lot of research and for what the 400 adds and for another $1500 or so, it became a no brainer. The earlier poster is right - it's pretty much the same boat as an older Z and not too far off the new Z3s, especially with options added. Exact same hull shape and construction of the Z3 - quality all the way. I loved my Z1, and while we did have the wave pretty dialed with water ballast and suck gate, the length and ability to really load up with weight started being somewhat a limiting factor to surf progression. hence, the advice to go bigger.

My impression of the stock Z/R wave is that it's decent, certainly more than adequate for most recreational surfers, but extra weight is needed to really throw it into "high gear". It will really get bigger and better with added ballast per others on this forum, and doesn't top out. I'm going to test that this coming season . I think if you want a bomber wave out of the box from tige go with an rzx 2 or 3. Dont get me wrong, going to love surfing my new R, but if money were no object I'd be behind an RZX. And that possibly over any other brand, too, although new centurions have piqued my curiosity.

I have also surfed and ridden Malibu vlx22, and it's a great boat as well, and can create a good wave. Have ridden behind a nautique G23 - not impressed, especially for the cost. Never ridden behind a MasterCraft except for slalom, but have heard mixed reviews on the surf wave from surf club buddies and pros.

hope that helps...hope you join the Tige family!





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[tex599]

Thanks for the input, still trying to make a decision. How much extra weight are mst having to put to get a better wave in the R23?

[freeheel4life]

Thanks for the input, still trying to make a decision. How much extra weight are mst having to put to get a better wave in the R23?

Seems like most are going with 500 lbs split evenly in rear lockers. Lead underneath ballast bags. Not a huge amount of extra weight. If you really want to build a big wave then more, but at 500 you will have no complaints

[majestic]

Thanks for the input, still trying to make a decision. How much extra weight are mst having to put to get a better wave in the R23?

. I do 100 extra in each rear locker in my Z1 and for boat demos we typically do 150/200 in the R23/Z3.

[Germaine Marine]

The Z3/R23 will handle around 5-700 in each rear locker with 7-8 passengers before the water is above the rub rail and flowing into the activity lockers and thus into the bilge. The Z/R23 runs good stock if you dont run any bow weight but it runs killer with around 400 or so in each locker.

It tops out..... by tops out I mean it physically cant be sunk anymore without potentially sinking. We have done it. Its a handful and not safe by any stretch of the imagination. I let one other person drive my boat like that and thats the German.... We have taken it to the brink and been nervous enough to say.. ok well we did it now lets take some weight back out..

[JohnnieMo]

Thanks for the input, still trying to make a decision. How much extra weight are mst having to put to get a better wave in the R23?

I'd say this is all relative. Stock is going to produce a pretty nice wave. You can slam every compartment full of weight and the thing will still float and the wave gets progressively better. It really depends what you need from it. Some boats the wave starts to get worse as you load it. For these hulls that is not the case. You'll be happy with it.

[cnote]

The Z3/R23 will handle around 5-700 in each rear locker with 7-8 passengers before the water is above the rub rail and flowing into the activity lockers and thus into the bilge. The Z/R23 runs good stock if you dont run any bow weight but it runs killer with around 400 or so in each locker.

It tops out..... by tops out I mean it physically cant be sunk anymore without potentially sinking. We have done it. Its a handful and not safe by any stretch of the imagination. I let one other person drive my boat like that and thats the German.... We have taken it to the brink and been nervous enough to say.. ok well we did it now lets take some weight back out..

that's good info Elevated thanks, now I know the limits to push! My typical crew is 3-4 adults and I was planning to put 500# in each locker. Sounds like that's right within limits. Do you stack your steel bags vertically, right against the back of the locker, or do you pretty much lay them flat underneath the pnp bags?

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[CarFanatic]

I have a smoking deal on a left over 17 R21

[Germaine Marine]

No benefits of stacking all of them vertically but you can if you have the hose to pull the ballast bag away from the rear wall, if not then underneath is just fine.

[Bakes5]

Build quality is top notch. I ride in a lot of boats and I've never felt I should pay $40-70k more. Really hard to beat. Really, really hard to beat a 2016 Z3 in good shape with low hours in terms of bang for buck

[MikeB313]

The R23 is an amazing value. All the performance of the Z3 at a more than reasonable price. I would opt for the 400 motor if going to the 23. It is only like a $1500 option and then you are covered if you decided to slam the boat with weight.