I love the Z tower!

[talltigeguy]

This weekend I was supposed to get out and demo an RZ2 as that I was going to be in Salt Lake City. Mother nature had other plans since it was raining steadily all day long.

I did get a chance to visit with Scott and Jason at Wasatch Marine in Salt Lake City and check out their inventory of boats. They have 2 brand new 09 RZ's, an RZ2 and an RZ4. Sorry I did not take many pics, but one of the things I needed to see most was the Z-tower.

The first thing you notice when you get in the boat is that thing is HUGE! The 3 inch tubing has a very solid and rugged feel to it. The tower is very stable. As many of you know, height is an issue for me. The Alpha Z tower is cool, but a major issue to try and get under it comfortably. The Z tower is so tall I am sure a lot of guys can't get the wakeboard rope on the pylon very easily. I can walk under it with 2 pair of Pro 60's, and just barely need to watch myself.

Wasatch Marine has a bimini that they have a local canvas company make and it rocks as well. It is huge, spacious and pretty easy to set up. It requires more effort than my previous tower bimini, but it is bigger and more sturdy as well. The hard part is that you have to wrap it around the tower and zipper it together. A lot of guys are going to have to stand on a cooler to get that done, or lean in from standing on the seats. Regardless, I think that is a tradeoff that most people should be willing to make.

Thanks again to Jason and Scott at Wasatch Marine for taking a lot of time to show me the boats. As for the Z-tower, it is a winner for me.

Here is me with an Alpha Z tower at the Lake Mead reunion: I am 6'9" tall.



And here is me on a Supra 24V sunscape and then lastly, me on an RZ4 with the Z-tower. Forgive the crappy cell phone pics:

[talltigeguy]

And if I could put the speakers on the bar that is the farthest to the rear, then I would have even more headroom.

The only thing I do not like is that the bar the speakers mount to is curved a little and I think that gives the speakers a retarded looking stance. But I think Wetsounds has got that figured out with some new speaker mounts that will allow the speaker to still be directed straight back, even though the bar is curved. If you have any other kind of clamp, then the right speakers point a little to the left and vice versa. If your speakers do not disperse the sound well, then you might get better sound when the rider is pulling out to the side, but I personally would like them to face straight back.

[Domsz06]

The alpha z tower was on the rz2 I got to drive and I really loved it. Tall the rz I got to drive is going to thAt marina you were at. I'm sure you will love it!!

[ragboy]

My switchblade has the 3" tubing also, and I love it, it is SO very stout. It feels so darn sturdy. Mine is also very tall, I am 6'2" and can walk under my speakers and bimini without ever even thinking about it. It can seem like not a big issue, but one or 2 times standing up and banging your noggin hard is a real pain.

[helmut]

I have been enjoying your reviews on all the boats your trying out. Funny how you are very objective. I assume you will let us know what you buy. Was glad you got your MC demo. I think its funny when I looked at Tige the dealer wanted to get me out on the water for as long as I wanted. Lucky he is the best dealer in the area for any boat.

[rushin]

I love the Z-tower aswell, it is my favorite tower. I am glad I was able to get one, it was one of the plus's when we were comparing with a ve without it.

[jwanck11]

Wow.. that is a crazy tall tower. Agree that some may have issues getting a tow rope up there.

[Timmy!]

Tall, if you get one will you be parking it in an indoor storage and leaving the tower up? I have the E tower and that thing is already and inch or two shy of 12' to the top when on the trailer. I think that tower has your name all over it though!

[talltigeguy]

They say it is very painful to put up and down and almost impossible to do so alone. Tige advertises it as 'non-collapsible' and that is almost true.

I have an indoor garage, with a 12 foot door. I better have those guys measure it out for me. That would be a huge bummer to find out on my first try that it does not fit. I think it depends on the trailer as well. You could shave several inches with a different trailer.

[JWALK]

The RZ2 and RZ4 both sitting on a Metalcraft trailer with 20" wheels has a overall height of 11' 2". Will fit into a 12' door easily. You are fortunate to have such a large indoor garage. It was nice hanging with you over the weekend, sorry mother nature didn't let us go out for a pull.

[JWALK]

Sorry to not be specific, but those measurments are with the mentioned Z tower and custom bimini top.

[talltigeguy]

The RZ2 and RZ4 both sitting on a Metalcraft trailer with 20" wheels has a overall height of 11' 2". Will fit into a 12' door easily. You are fortunate to have such a large indoor garage. It was nice hanging with you over the weekend, sorry mother nature didn't let us go out for a pull.

Thanks, Jwalk! Looks like you got signed up OK. We expect a thousand posts by the end of the year

[ragboy]

They say it is very painful to put up and down and almost impossible to do so alone. Tige advertises it as 'non-collapsible' and that is almost true.

I have an indoor garage, with a 12 foot door. I better have those guys measure it out for me. That would be a huge bummer to find out on my first try that it does not fit. I think it depends on the trailer as well. You could shave several inches with a different trailer.

If that is the case, then you should really consider the switchblade. You get the beefy 3" tubing, the height and stoutness you need, and yet incredibly easy to take up and down. Order the boat without a tower, or go through one of the several dealers that use sampson.

[Jason B]

I would need a freaking trampoline on the floor to get high enough to hook the rope on the tower. I'm "inseam challenged." As it is now with my tower, I have to stand on the sunpad and lunge forward to grab the bar or stand on the gunwhale to reach

[Matt Garcia]

One of the main reasons why I love my Z tower, Im tall but not as tall as you and cant stand it when I bump my head on tower speakers. Thats the main reason why I dont like the Illusion tower or the Alpha Z tower. And yes the only way you are getting the rope on is by standing on the sunpad lounge.

I have never collapsed my tower but I hear it is an issue with some people.

If I where to order another Tige it would come with a Z tower again.