All daddy wants for x-mas is a new boat!

[Kito]

I've been looking really hard at buying a Z1 for it's versitility, but I found a smokeing deal on a 07 RZ2 that I may not be able to pass up. I'm looking for a little feed back on the wake and design of the RZ2. How would it be for some rec skiing? How is the wake for surfing? (I read that the swim step may affect the surf wake.) And what are the pros and cons of the "Pickle Fork". I would like to get a RZ2 on the water but here in the -20 temps everything is frozen untill spring, and this deal may be only around for a short time so I may need to jump on it. Any info would be great. Thanks ~Kito

[dogbert]

The RZ2 is an awesome boat. It's much bigger than the Z1.

[rogersbm82]

I have never been on one in the water but if you want room, that is the boat for you. The first time I sat in one I was thinking, "there is no way in hell this is a 22' boat." The pickle fork gives you so much more room up front.

[chpthril]

The Rz and Ve hulls are pretty much the same, so the over all on-the-water performance is very similar. Great rough water Tige ride as expected, very roomy as noted, lots of storage. Wakeboard wake is great with/without ballast depending on your needs and abilities.

Surf wake is phenomenal, doesn't need a ton of weight to build a nice clean wake, but only gets better with additional ballast As far as the swim platform and secondary lip goes, I haven't surfed an RZ so I cant say first hand, but I don't think it would bother me as we are just recreational surfers just out to ride and have fun.

Ski wake is actually pretty forgiving for a 4k lb, 22'/102" boat. A good friend of mine is a pretty damn good skier, he's got an 89 Supra DD. He's been behind my 22Ve a couple times as was quite impressed with it being a big@$$ heavy V-drive. I haven't skied a Z1, so I cant give a comparison of these 2 boats.

[highrock]

The ski wake behind the Z1 is somewhat hard. I cant say anything about the RZ2 as I have only wakeboarded behind them.

[da.bell]

Yes, Chpthril is right about the hull being similar to the 22Ve. However, the rocker of the hull is greater on the RZ2 compared to the 22Ve. As for the wake, I can compare it to a 20V and a 24Ve. So, the wake is bigger than the 20V (not bigger by much. I would say by 3-4 inches with TAPS and speed being the same) and compared to the 24Ve, it is the same size. As for shape, I haven't noticed it being any different across all the boats.

At 35 MPH, the RZ2 ski wake is about 6-12 inches high. I don't ski and can not tell you if it's going to be a hard wake to hit.

The platform does dig into the wakesurf but Timmy! (a forum member) has done tons of trail and error and has reduced if not removed the second lip from the wave.

[rushin]

Yep, RZ2

I have not been in a Z1 on the water, I just got a RZ2 and am very impressed with it and much more roomy than the Z1. I have not skied behind either, the RZ that is.

I say if it is a good deal, go for it, I don't think you will regret it.

[lincdarrow]

If it that RZ2 on WakeWorld it appears to be a good deal. Would like to see some pics. I love my RZ2. Very nimble on the water. Have to be careful with the front end if you ballast it up. I have swamped the front a few times as I have learned how to control it around the wake a bit better.

Skiing was real goos behind it. We have fallen in love with WAKESURFING over here in the Darrow house though...

I recommend the RZ2 vs. the Z1.. It is a completely better boat.

[lincdarrow]

What the heck is goos... GOOD

[Timmy!]

There is no comparison between an RZ2 and a Z1! The handling on a Z1 is nothing like a 22Ve or RZ2, it's more like that of a Malibu, a little sluggish in comparison to the RZ2. The cabin in the RZ2 is a lot more spacious, the gauges and standard options are far better and you are less likely to outgrow the RZ2. If you've driven the Z1 and like it then you will LOVE the RZ2, that's all I can really say!

[kko]

i like them both but the rz2 is a bettter boat IMPO. I really love the RZ2.

[Domsz06]

the rz2 is amazing!! I want one so bad!! I'll make u a deal on my 21IR if u want a good all around boat. The ski wake behind it is great, but so is the surf

[phirates]

We considered a Z1 but opted for a RZ2 last summer. We love the picklefork design. My son and wife can both stretch out in the front and there is plenty of room. The ride on the RZ2 is very smooth.

Regarding the factory platform cutting into the wake - well it does cut in a little bit, but the wave is still completely surfable. It does create a little secondary lip in the wave but our family had absolutely no problem surfing it. And we are all beginners (well we were at the start of the summer). Surfing has become our #1 sport and we decided to replace the factory platform with a custom teak platform that is much smaller and doesn't cut into the wake at all. The factory platform was redesigned in '09 and you can buy an '09 platform and put it on your '07 RZ2 if you get serious about surfing and want the best wave.

We also had to add some ballast to get a surfable wave. We have never regretted our decision to purchase the RZ2.

Good Luck and post some pictures when you make your choice.

[Kito]

Thanks, but I think I'm going to go with the RZ2. From everything I hear It sounds like the RZ2 would be a great boat.

[talltigeguy]

Thanks, but I think I'm going to go with the RZ2. From everything I hear It sounds like the RZ2 would be a great boat.

Good choice!

And to swap out the platform is not that much money in comparison to the cost of the rest of the boat, if you become die hard surf addicts.