Well, I drove and surfed behind a 23 ZX today. I really didn't expect much difference from our 2017 RZX3 but I was really impressed with the boat overall. It was a surprising experience. The overall boat feels much more refined and the wave was very good. We filled the PNP which I do not have in my RZX but the weight is about the same even without RZX PNP. I am a novice and certainly no wave nitnoid like many on the forum, but it sure was a good wave. Much more push than my RZX and much longer too. I was riding way farther back than I ever have. My wife noticed it too and if she sees it it must be true. She doesn't pay attention to stuff like that but she picked up on it right away.
I did not ride without PNP and you certainly give up storage to get those full. Something you don't lose in the rzx3 for the same weight but I still felt the quality of the wave was better. Maybe if I drop PNP in my boat it would be different but I also don't have the 2-1 transmission in the rzx3 which I'm sure would be helpful running 4000lbs. I'm guessing a new rzx3 with 2-1 and the new plates (GSA?) would be a very interesting comparison.
Comparing the rest of the boat to my '17....
It pulled out of the water cleaner, harder and straighter. once underway it felt amazingly nimble. I would say the rzx3 feels like driving a Suburban and the 23ZX felt like a an M5. There really is that much difference. It just drives great. Both boats have the same motor but I guess the transmission is that much better / effective. The23ZX leaps out of the water compared to my rzx3. I don't know why but it feels lighter and crisper while turning at speed but not giving up stability. The ZX did feel like it was working a little harder on top end speed. There is considerable more bow rise while under surf loads but you don't get the funky stinkbug feeling the rzx3 has under deceleration or during taxi speeds. I didn't spend much time behind the wheel at low speeds but my initial feeling was better tracking in that regime. The RZX3 always feels like it's pushing and drifting.
Oh but the storage. You just can't beat an rzx3 for that. It would be an adjustment on the 23ZX. It is not bad but the rzx3 is ridiculous. Using car analogies again, it feels like going from a Suburban to a Tahoe. You know you don't need that much room most of the time but then one day a buddy wants you to help him move his couch......hmmmm. And I really appreciate the finished forward holds in the rzx3. It really gives a premium feel. The 23ZX is back to carpet under the seats up front. I know it's fine but a bit of a bummer.
Overall, I would say there are a few big improvements (GSA, hull maybe, transmission, TAPS software,) but there seems to be a multitude a small improvements that add up to a very big difference. Many of them alone may not seem like much but together they are significant. What I can't say is whether some of those same improvements would benefit the rzx3 as much. I am sure of this, either boat would be awesome. I really like my rzx3 but I would be really stoked to have a 23ZX.
Ride On!!
I did not ride without PNP and you certainly give up storage to get those full. Something you don't lose in the rzx3 for the same weight but I still felt the quality of the wave was better. Maybe if I drop PNP in my boat it would be different but I also don't have the 2-1 transmission in the rzx3 which I'm sure would be helpful running 4000lbs. I'm guessing a new rzx3 with 2-1 and the new plates (GSA?) would be a very interesting comparison.
Comparing the rest of the boat to my '17....
It pulled out of the water cleaner, harder and straighter. once underway it felt amazingly nimble. I would say the rzx3 feels like driving a Suburban and the 23ZX felt like a an M5. There really is that much difference. It just drives great. Both boats have the same motor but I guess the transmission is that much better / effective. The23ZX leaps out of the water compared to my rzx3. I don't know why but it feels lighter and crisper while turning at speed but not giving up stability. The ZX did feel like it was working a little harder on top end speed. There is considerable more bow rise while under surf loads but you don't get the funky stinkbug feeling the rzx3 has under deceleration or during taxi speeds. I didn't spend much time behind the wheel at low speeds but my initial feeling was better tracking in that regime. The RZX3 always feels like it's pushing and drifting.
Oh but the storage. You just can't beat an rzx3 for that. It would be an adjustment on the 23ZX. It is not bad but the rzx3 is ridiculous. Using car analogies again, it feels like going from a Suburban to a Tahoe. You know you don't need that much room most of the time but then one day a buddy wants you to help him move his couch......hmmmm. And I really appreciate the finished forward holds in the rzx3. It really gives a premium feel. The 23ZX is back to carpet under the seats up front. I know it's fine but a bit of a bummer.
Overall, I would say there are a few big improvements (GSA, hull maybe, transmission, TAPS software,) but there seems to be a multitude a small improvements that add up to a very big difference. Many of them alone may not seem like much but together they are significant. What I can't say is whether some of those same improvements would benefit the rzx3 as much. I am sure of this, either boat would be awesome. I really like my rzx3 but I would be really stoked to have a 23ZX.
Ride On!!
Comment