Which Tige to Buy???

[Timmy!]

The wave on my RZ2 with the newer platform is good enough for me. I'm not a pro nor will I ever be so rather than spending a bunch of time smoothing out the platform or cutting it down, we just enjoy the boat instead

[ragboy]

I did do that with the 24Ve, but when we did test with that, there was a point that making smaller also allowed more prop wash to enter into the equation. I know the later RZ2s and RZ4s have reduced size platforms, wouldn't know if making them smaller would make it worse. Also, my 24Ve platform is in the water a lot, and it makes a buttery smooth wave. The Z3 was exceptionally smooth also.

Lastly, being a fat guy that needs good deck surface area when entering the boat may have something to do with it. ;-)

@WA, I was working with a composites guy at one time to work that out, but the relationship ended up going sour. He was going to experiment with a vinylester.

[ragboy]

The wave on my RZ2 with the newer platform is good enough for me. I'm not a pro nor will I ever be so rather than spending a bunch of time smoothing out the platform or cutting it down, we just enjoy the boat instead

Yeah, we had it for a year, and it was great, it wasn't a problem. Its more that when you see and feel that smoothness, its nice, but its more cosmetic than anything. Fun if you like to tinker.

However, if the lip is very big, it can do more than just cosmetic.

[ecutter]

[QUOTE=Timmy!;557734]Since it's from the 2011 show ecutter, you should be able to get a better deal BTW - I don't recall Bill ever having a boat this long before

They are giving me a good deal.. That's why this whole process
has been difficult. I wish I liked the color better. Come Friday
the Z3 will be at their shop. Hopefully after checking out both
boats side by side I will be able to finally make a decision.

[skippabcool]

Good to know that Z3 will be there on Friday. I was going go check out the WWS RZ2 and Nicks boat. I will have to wait till Friday.

[ragboy]

I think you will really like the Z3 interior. We did. When we turned that first one back in, my wife was REALLY disappointed. And you know its the smallest things, but that center walkthrough is SO nice. It makes both corners have FULL height seat backs, but also, you will never have to store or misplace the cushion that goes in the walkthrough. The center walkthrough cushion is just on the other side of the sea deck, so you just flip it. Its really a great design. And being a big guy, getting in and out of the Z3, so much easier, nicer with all that sea deck. I thought that I wouldn't like it, because it seemed to make the new rear would take away from the locker space meaning less space for sacage. ( I know, sackage, not sacage, but technically neither are words.) Anyway, the Z3 did great with the weight you could get in there.

The Z3 is as roomy as the 24Ve IMHO, but feels sportier, not as much of a pig, and definitely feels less piggy than the RZ4.

[IDBoating]

Why would you smooth the swim deck instead of just making it not touch the wave. Even if it's smooth it will still disrupt the wave. Cut it down and make it smaller

I'm happy with how it shapes the wave as it is. I wouldn't want to cut it down. It puts a nice flat smooth surface onto the waveface. But I am interested to see if there's a difference with getting rid of the lip. What can I say, I'm an Engineer and tinkering is in my DNA.

[duffymahoney]

My wave is just about perfect with the cut down deck. You could always do a sanger shape platform?

[ragboy]

My wave is just about perfect with the cut down deck. You could always do a sanger shape platform?

The sanger shape of their platform was def the inspiration for our 24Ve. Even though the RZ2 and the RZ4 have those corners, don't seem to be an issue, just the turbulence from the lip.

[bspot]

Holy crap its blue! We saw a few lakes in Texas, plus seen lots of pictures from others and I think other than that possum lake, they have all been brown. I need my mountains man.

This is from this past Saturday, blue and mountains and trees, nice to be home! RJ on the 2012 RZ4


IMG_8522 by wake9, on Flickr


IMG_8529 by wake9, on Flickr

How did RJ like that new Soulcraft fangtail? Compared to the Jetty?

[ragboy]

He liked it a lot, better than his Jetty, but he needs to ride it more to really get a better feel, so far so good.

[duffymahoney]

Sorry for all the high jacks Ragboy, but has your son tried any of Chaos shapes from shred stixx? They are my favorite now. I don't know how many he has made. Faster down the line then the hazen (I believe it's flatter). My buddy bought one he shaped for chase. I am having my custom for 2012 a chaos shape. Fastest board I have ever ridden. Chase said his airs were the best on it, he just didn't like it because it can pearl sometimes. I eventually got used to it pearling and learned to not do that. Everyone on my boat prefers it over my Hazen, which I actually sold halfway through summer. Which is super super rare for me to do. Gosh I can't wait for summer! My goal is to have the best wave in the world again Wheelhouse and his 247 took that title from me a while ago.

[ragboy]

RJ rode with Alec and Chris K Jr on the RZ2 last spring and tried both of their boards. Alec's board was from the california shop and Chris' from nick/chaos. He liked Alec's, but I think it was just that at that time CK was riding a 4.6, and it was too short for RJ. RJ loves his 4.8 hazen, he thinks its one of the funnest boards to ride. I saw CKs new board he used at worlds, and it was SICK. Such a cool looking board. Anyway, Nick/Chaos is going to be sending RJ something new to try, so I will let you know.

RJs first love, as far as boards go was the TWP Signature model and the Soulcraft is more like that so he leans that way. Plus, Jeff is really pushing the envelope, really trying lots of different stuff. So RJ would say the Soulcraft is his favorite, to date the Jetty, but the new fangtail seems that it may take the crown for him.

But the 4.8 Hazen from Cali is a close second I think for him. He also really had a lot of fun on the Inland Sweet Spot Pro (2011) which was very surprising to see, since its a heavy board. But I can tell you that when I was watching him, the board was FAST. I can't recall him shooting forward like that on any other board in the recent past. So even though heavy, he felt it rode lighter than it felt, and you can see from the pics and video he launched on it very well.

I am sure the flyboy would be in that list for him if they made a longer version. The new TWP Sig is also one I bet he would get into, and I think they are making him a 4.8, we will see.

I have worked hard to keep RJ riding whatever he wants, and not to lock him down on anything, or be sponsored or anything by anyone. He just loves to surf.

Can't wait to see what you do in the boat department. Hopefully this summer RJ and I can make it up there and check out that boat. Would be a blast.

[duffymahoney]

Chaos's is a different rocker then the hazen and also overal a slightly different shape, plus its a double haul. It feels night and day different. Overall most surfboards are similar. Just tweaking to preference. I still own an inland surfer, and I like most if not all surf boards. We actually teach people on a 7 year old landlock.

[konajay]

Speaking of boards, check out this new picklefork design from Lakewakes. At this point it is still in prototype stage. Love the Tige' logos!