230 vs Z3 surfwake

[dgreene]

anyone have first hand experience with the surfwake and the diff. also the fit and finish of the tige. Thanks

[F725]

I have spent a lot of time behind a 2012 Tige' Z3 and one surf set behind a 2013 230. The Z3 can make a very nice surf wake but it takes a ton of weight. It also has such a high side on the water that it acts like a huge sail... I had to drive one for a wakesurfing demo last summer on a windy day... very difficult to manuever the boat back to the rider after they fell. Basically, it wasn't very nimble. The fit and finish is nice but nothing compared to a Nautique. I owned a Tige' for 7 years and it got the job done, not fancy but...

I'd heard rumors about the 230 wave... it's awesome! Very easy to shape with the hydrogate and now with the NSS, it's hands down the best I've ridden behind. My next favorite wave was probably from a sacked out Enzo. I drove the 230 also but it was calm so I cannot compare it to the Z3 for handling.

[MLA]

The Z3 likes more bow weight then most and also likes some off-side weight. Too much on the surf side rear and the wake degrades. Also, there were a few early 2012 Z3's that had a reverse chin that hurt the wake. After that was removed, the boat responded much better to ballast. Didnt need as much on the surf side and liked a little on the off side. Havent surfed a 230, hope to one day.

[OKWAKEBDR]

All Tige's make VERY good surf wakes. I've been in an RZR, 24ve, and Z3. Fit and finish is much better on the Nautique. I've only wakeboarded behind the RZR, and I was actually pretty impressed. The boat needs more weight in the bow, and there's no room under the seats because it's already filled with ballast. Nautiques make a much better wakeboard wake, and overall are just better, nicer boats - however, you have to pay for that also.

[s_kelley2000]

I've been in an RZR, 24ve, and Z3. Fit and finish is much better on the Nautique.

This just reminded me of something funny from the Boston boat show this year. We were checking out an Axis and my wife thought the interior looked sort of plain so I explained to her that it was Malibu's budget boat line and was similar to Moomba being Supra's budget line. So a little while later we stop into the Tige booth and the second she steps on board she asks "so who's budget line is this?"

I don't mean to bash, just thought I would share the story. My only experience with Tige was a 24ve and I thought it was a nice boat but certainly not a Nautique.

[iamcdn]

We actually had our choices narrowed down to the new Tige Z1 and a SANTE 210 and went with the 210. I actually think the fit and finish of the Tige's has improved quite a bit and the 2013's I was in looked good. The Tige's are proven surf boats and have a lot going for them. In the end, my wife really preferred the 210 fit and finish and for some reason it felt roomier even though it's a smaller boat. When we priced them out, there was only a $500 difference between the two. Tige's are getting pretty expensive.

[perry386]

Tige' does a lot of things right to make their boats really nice but then there are things that make you scratch your head. For instance...they have a basic RPM based speed control that barely works, and the ballast is all above the floor. However, there is one area where they have Nautiques beat EVERY time (putting on flame suit)...the stereo system. They are the only company that come standard with a wetsounds system which is just awesome. And for the wakesurf aspect: they have this new hull extender thing underneath the swim platform that is supposed to give the best surf wake out there. And I have never heard anyone say they were dissappointed with the wakeboard wake. Just my 2 cents.