New '08 RZ4 Questions

[jbf]

Took delivery on a new '08 RZ4 in the end of June. Love the boat so far -- haven't got much experience driving boats myself, just minimal on my father-in-law's old 20-ft yahama jet boat, but I was actually surprised how quickly I felt comfortable on the RZ4 in terms of docking, driving, towing, etc. Boat's got a ton of cool features, lots of storage space, blah, blah, blah--I know I'm preaching to the choir here. I will say the boat's already gotten lot's of compliments/looks--I think I might have the only Tige in our area, so I had to laugh when a Mastercraft owner came up to me when I was taking it out of the water to ask, "what the heck is that!? I need to trade-up to whatever that is!!!"

That said, is it just me, or does the manual kind of suck? It doesn't address a few things that I would expect would be important, so I have a couple questions for you more experienced Tige-folk--and pls forgive my inexperience if any of these are insultingly obvious:

- I don't think the manual mentions the drain plug once, nor is it on any of the schematics. There is a bolt that sticks out on the transom below the swim platform & just above the TAPs plate...that's got to be the plug no? I know the boat has an automatic bilge, but I'd be surprised to hear there was no drainage plug whatsoever...

- There is a rectagular cut out in the carpet floor in the very back of the seating area--guessing it's 2 feet by 4 feet. It looks like this lifts out to get access to the bilge area, but there is no handle or release with which to pull it up. Is it meant to be that way so that only a mechanic can get in there? I ask b/c my brother inadvertently dropped the female hose connector for the salt-water flush in the engine compartment and I can't get to it thru the engine compartment b/c there's isn't enough space to reach all the way into the bilge. Was wondering if that 2x4 panel comes out easily.

- The tower light seems to be just a white courtesy light...anyone know if it can be swapped out for a true red/green navigational light for night-time operation?

- The manual says the RZ4 gas tank is 48 gallons...when I filled it up, it came in at 54 gallons...is my gas station guy a crook or is there an updated manual I should be looking at?

All I can think of for now...any help much appreciated!
- JF

[G-MONEY]

First off Congrats on the RA4 and please post a pic..

Tige does not have manuals for the boat just for parts of it. like speed set and stereo.

That cut out is over the gas tank, you can get to it by taking out the back seats and it slides right out.


You have the red and green nave light on the bow that tower light is the running light.



And yes thats the drain plug

[skyski_tige]

Took delivery on a new '08 RZ4 in the end of June. Love the boat so far --

Congrats on the new boat! This group will want to see pictures!

That said, is it just me, or does the manual kind of suck? It doesn't address a few things that I would expect would be important,

Agreed but Tige' provided me with a bunch of documention on my 08 RZ2. This list will supplement the items not discussed in the documenation.

I don't think the manual mentions the drain plug once, nor is it on any of the schematics. There is a bolt that sticks out on the transom below the swim platform & just above the TAPs plate...that's got to be the plug no? I know the boat has an automatic bilge, but I'd be surprised to hear there was no drainage plug whatsoever...

That is the drain plug in the back, I wish it was somewhere that I can access in the boat. I keep my boat on the lift and I have to get in the water to easily get to the plug.

- There is a rectagular cut out in the carpet floor in the very back of the seating area--guessing it's 2 feet by 4 feet. It looks like this lifts out to get access to the bilge area, but there is no handle or release with which to pull it up. Is it meant to be that way so that only a mechanic can get in there? I ask b/c my brother inadvertently dropped the female hose connector for the salt-water flush in the engine compartment and I can't get to it thru the engine compartment b/c there's isn't enough space to reach all the way into the bilge. Was wondering if that 2x4 panel comes out easily.

I belive there is a piece that comes off so you can access the access panel. You should reach out to your dealer.

- The tower light seems to be just a white courtesy light...anyone know if it can be swapped out for a true red/green navigational light for night-time operation?

You should have the red / green navigational light on the forward port and starboard side of the boat, The white light is a 360 degree light, in Texas we are required to have that light at night

[wannabewakeboarder]

The tower light is your 360deg. light (also reguired for night operation) Your red and greens should be on both sides of the bow cockpit area.

Did you by chance let 6 gallons work their way out of the over flow with out you noticeing? I say you local fueling stations numbers are off in there favor...lucky them eh.

Post up some pictures when you get a chance!

[jbf]

Thanks for the quick feedback, guys -- very much appreciated b/c I am admittedly a bit of a moron when it comes to mechanical stuff. As for pics, will do -- promise I will post a few as soon as I can. Boat has black main panels, grey decking and blue hull/accents. Very happy w/ the color choices -- she looks sweet!

[da.bell]

Welcome to the website. As you can see we love pictures and there is a ton of people on here that know one thing or two about Tige's.

[evil0ne]

Congrats on the new boat and finding the site. If you can't post pics what are the color options? Where are you from?

Again, that navigational light HAS to be white.

[rogersbm82]

The red and green lights on the bow are for other boats, works like a stop light. A boat coming across from right to left or starboard to port has the right of way. If you notice the red light is on the port side and green on the starboard. When two boats come across each other the boat on the port side sees, red-means stop and the boat on the starboard side see green-means go because he has the right of way. The light on the tower is the running light, and as said before Texas law says you have to have that on. You don't want to change that to green and red. Or any other color for that matter.

[dogbert]

The red and green lights on the bow are for other boats, works like a stop light. A boat coming across from right to left or starboard to port has the right of way. If you notice the red light is on the port side and green on the starboard. When two boats come across each other the boat on the port side sees, red-means stop and the boat on the starboard side see green-means go because he has the right of way. The light on the tower is the running light, and as said before Texas law says you have to have that on. You don't want to change that to green and red. Or any other color for that matter.

It's not just Texas law, these are Coast Guard rules and most states have just adopted them. Just keep in mind that the English invented the maritime rules and they drive on the other side of the road from the rest of the world.

I'm surprised your dealer didn't go over the boat features with you. I bet if you asked, they'd be happy to explain most features of your boat with you. Mine spent a couple of hours reviewing everything with me when I took delivery of my boat.

[jwanck11]

Welcome and congrats. It seems that your questions were answered. I would go back to your gas station and complain. Likely their weights system is just a tad off and they are making a lot of money off it. There was a story on the news on this.

[balair]

Congrats on the new RZ4

[Jeffe]

Congrats on the RZ4...I have had mine just about a month now & I love it.

[Timmy!]

Didn't someone else have the "gas issue" with their RZ4? Seems like it took more than the tank said and then everyone tried to calculate how much gas could fit in the 2 filler tubes that run down to the tank? Was that turbonine maybe?

[da.bell]

Didn't someone else have the "gas issue" with their RZ4? Seems like it took more than the tank said and then everyone tried to calculate how much gas could fit in the 2 filler tubes that run down to the tank? Was that turbonine maybe?

I thought ragboy did that on his 24Ve....

Wonder how he is doing with the fires...

[eks]

Congrats on your new boat, Do you have any pictures?