How to spot an early build Z3

[turbonine]

Now I'm really pissed!!! I thought it was odd that my boat wouldn't do what everyone else's was with the same weight in the same places. Mine looks exactly like the first pic

Totally sucks. It really perplexes me why Tige does this. These boats should remain in the hands of Tige or their athletes and not customers.

[houstonshark]

In all seriousness, I wonder if you could find some really wide duct tape and tape from the edge of the chine to the hull and then maybe fill it with expanding foam, tape up the ends and water test it? Maybe there's a simplier solution but it might be worth a try.

[383ws6]

Got a reassuring reply back from Tony within minutes, keeping my fingers crossed that they'll handle this appropriately.

[talltigeguy]

So what did eliminating the chine actually do? How bad did it affect the wave and what affect did it have on the wakeboard wake, if any?

The wakeboard wake was pretty challenging when we tested it at Lake Mead last year. There should be some pics in the 2011 Lake mead reunion pics, but I am too lazy right now to find them. The early production hull just did not make a good wakeboard wake, it was too steep and not a great ramp.

The surf wave was not horrible, but it was not as good as an RZ2 or even a 24Ve. A person could surf it, and anyone who has not surfed those other boats is probably out having a grand old time with it. (like Timmy's friend in Denver).

Now I'm really pissed!!! I thought it was odd that my boat wouldn't do what everyone else's was with the same weight in the same places. Mine looks exactly like the first pic

Sorry, I just thought I would try and beat Nobody to that comment.

I guess you could contact Tige about it but unless it were a safety hazard and considered a recall, I'm not sure they will do anything about it.

Is this a change we will see on all of the Tige hulls? Or was this just something that really helped the Z3 out?

This is only a Z3 related issue.

Got a reassuring reply back from Tony within minutes, keeping my fingers crossed that they'll handle this appropriately.

383ws, I would at this point be as quiet as possible in public about it. I think your email was nicely worded and it sounds like you are a reasonable guy that I would want to work with. Once crap has flown all over, Tige is less likely to want to work with you. My personal opinion is to ask Matt Garcia (the administrator of the website) to delete this thread right now to allow you to retract the damage that might be done, as best as possible.

[Timmy!]

383ws, I would at this point be as quiet as possible in public about it. I think your email was nicely worded and it sounds like you are a reasonable guy that I would want to work with.

x2

[383ws6]

I don't know how to contact Matt, but I can see where that would be good advice. I'm not trying to cause a stir, in fact, I haven't said anything negative about tige.

[mnpracing]

I don't agree with being quiet about it. I haven't seen any flaming on here that was out of line. I don't see any damage that has been done. 383 worded it very nicely and is giving Tige a chance to address it. I can't say I would have started out as calm as he seems to be. To me it's a legitimate issue that Tige should correct in my opinion. Sounds like 383 is encourage by Tige's response, so that should be good news to fellow Tige owners. The larger question is why these boats were out there in the first place. Could have been an honest error, but one that Tige should address head on. Get to the front of the class is my motto. Everyone makes mistakes, the measure of a person, or company, is how they deal with them. If my boat was one of these, I would want to know, and if I were Tige I would also want to know, and have it addressed here rather than on Wakeworld or some other forum. I look forward to hearing the resolution.

[Timmy!]

I don't think you should delete the thread, just sit quiet now and work with Tony/Tige and when all is said and done, post back on how it went.

[mnpracing]

I don't think you should delete the thread, just sit quiet now and work with Tony/Tige and when all is said and done, post back on how it went.

agreed

[WakerideN]

well I think regardless it brings up a good point in question... and deleting this thread would be beyond a bad idea. how easy to start another and keep the discussion moving. Last time I checked the 80k plus I spent lets me have as well as all of you a opinion on the matter. why should 383 be worried. he has the right attitude. that is my take. far better then mine would be.

so it brings to question. does a Boat MFG just ignore the first 20, or how many that have issues, or recall them and fix them all?

Or do they wait sheepishly for a guy like this to say WTF?

not sure which is the right answer. and curious what others have to say.

[Duncan]

No one has mentioned the dealer through all of this. I see from their site, it is a Tige dealer, not just some clueless seller of a used boat outside their regular line up.

If the dealer knew this early version Z3 was in fact different and produced a less desirable wake, one could be as pissed or more at the dealer from concealing this to make a sale.

If the dealer did not know this was an early version Z3 that had less desirable performance than late models, then I think the dealer has a lot of reason to be pissed with the manufacturer.

Either way, I think it informs the situation quite a bit to know which of the above two possibilities applies.

[Ewok]

I bought my boat from the same dealer and they know Tige products very well, They are the closest dealer to the Tige Factory and they have a very close working relationship, I can't see how they didn't know it was a different hull. They watch this website pretty closesly but they never post. I'm sure 383 has or will be getting a call from them too.

[383ws6]

I called the dealership first, and they are, & were aware of at least 2 hull designs on the Z3. They are the ones that gave me Tony's email address. They seem to be quite helpful & have been trying to go that extra mile to make sure I'm satisfied. I had a few minor issues that I brought to their attention when I took the boat in for its first service. While they weren't all fixed at that time, they assured me they would be taken care of when I brought it back at the end of the season.

[WakerideN]

No one has mentioned the dealer through all of this. I see from their site, it is a Tige dealer, not just some clueless seller of a used boat outside their regular line up.

If the dealer knew this early version Z3 was in fact different and produced a less desirable wake, one could be as pissed or more at the dealer from concealing this to make a sale.

If the dealer did not know this was an early version Z3 that had less desirable performance than late models, then I think the dealer has a lot of reason to be pissed with the manufacturer.

Either way, I think it informs the situation quite a bit to know which of the above two possibilities applies.

x2. for sure dealer needs to make buyer aware of what the boat is or isnt so they make an educated decision. not disclosing this creates the situation we are now seeing unfold.

[jzts0214]

In general the first year production of any product seems to change. I have all ways been told not to buy the first of anything. Its always better the second year because they change it and make improvements. Yes if I was 383 I would be a little mad but they do it with cars and appliances all the time.