This afternoon and obviously into the evening, I had the opportunity to demo an 09 Tige RZ2. Steve from Gainesville Marina, awesome guy by the way, called me as soon as he got one in. Looks like the Tige rep leaves his demo boat at the marina and I had the opportunity to go out in it. The boat was absolutely sick with the new tower, new interior, new dash and new motors. I was actually surprised on the difference between the quietness and smoothness of my 07 RZ verse the 09 RZ. The tower is absolutely sick on how it easily folds down and it is solid as a rock. The crew at Gainesville Marina let me get a couple sets in as well as surf behind the boat. Compared to my 07, they have advanced the ballast system and it is under the floor in the rear and of course had to give it a try. The wake was incredible and I was definitely highly impressed with all the advancements. I have seen the boats online but you just don't get the realm of how awesome this boat is until you get in it. Since this was the rep's boat, it was pretty cool that the cruise control presets still had the owner of Tige's settings in it as well as some of the guys that work for them. I am working with Steve on trading my 07 in for an ordered 09. I will keep you up to date and can't wait to ride behind my new boat when it comes in. Here are some pictures for all of you to check out and thanks to the crew at Gainesville Marina!!! <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/633363.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/633364.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/633365.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/633366.jpg" alt="Upload">

tell me more about the ballast, are they running with the quick fill yet? Have you surfed a 24' Tige before this one? Please, tell me more about this wave. Sorry for all the questions, just interested what the ballast is doing for the wave. I need a really good excuse to trade in.

They showed me that Tige has moved the ballast tanks underneath the floor in the rear and it has a wrap around nose cone soft bag in the front, about 1,000lbs. In terms of what you mean by quick fill, their are four pumps into the boat and four pumps out of the boat. The water pick up is underneath the boat and it probably took only about 4 minutes to fill it up. In terms of the surf wake, I surf on the drivers side and the surf wake was incredible and the power band was very long. Have not spent anytime behind the 24 but do know that I can't imagine anything being any bigger. It was awesome!!!

No pics of these wakes?

Looks like a nice boat, i would to see the wakes too. I heard the surf wake bad a$#.

Mel - your review of the '09 is great. Sounds like you had a great time on the water. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>That's one thing I've noticed about Tige, they have confidence in their product and will take you out to the lake and let you experience the boat! <BR> <BR>Bentone - as for an excuse to trade, if the look of the boat alone isn't enough, sounds like you are ready for a ride!

Bentone already has a sick surfing 24Ve! Nice review! I'm not sold on the tower but I do like the new graphics and have been thinking about ripping mine off and upgrading to the new ones. I drove one without the ballast back in August and actually liked my '07's gauges and interior better but not the vinyl.

timmy- you ever get that seam out of your surf wave? It seems like I read somewhere you had it figured out. This is my buddy's 08 rz2, we cant get the seam out of the wave. The square cornered platform runs all the way across the transom to the corners. I have a teak deck with rounded corners and think this is the difference. <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/633779.jpg" alt="Upload">

The 09 RZ's have a new, narrowed platform for that reason

Are the ballast pumps still the cheap plastic type that bust if your dealer does not winterize them properly? Any pictures of underfloor ballast would be appreciated.

^^^^ Ted, dont hate the game, hate the Player <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>, or dealer that doesn't know how to do a Winterization, because even a metal engine block with crack when not winterized. The "cheap" plastic pumps are the same ones that every manufacturer uses for bilge pumps $.02 <BR> <BR>Picture would probably have to come out of the factory as the system is integrated into the hull unlike some so called under-floor systems that are just covered with a carpeted faux floor. I heard that the early 09's are using traditional pumps but should be a switch to the fast-fill system in the mid 09 model year. <BR> <BR>I'll ask for some, but not sure i'll get them.

We did get the seam out of the wave but it took a lot of weight all in the cabin, none in the bow. I had a v-drive sac filled in both lockers and then 250 on the floor and then about 8 people or so and that lifted the corners of the swim platform out of the water (somehow) and gave us a nice wave.

Seam in the wave or not.... That dude is SHREDD'IN HIS FACE OFF... No Rope, ~12-15 feet back, and Air'in it out... Oh yeah, Tige has a terrible wake/wave. The pic above is for all the hater/posers...<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/crazy.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>(Message edited by big_brandon on October 08, 2008)

I like those wheels!

Thanks Mel for the update. <BR> <BR>That is one awesome looking boat! <BR> <BR>You have to just be teasing us, by not posting any wave or wake pictures<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/crazy.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>As far as the pumps go, I have been underneath and in every nook of the boat. It is just about impossible to get a pic of the rear discharge pumps. I could feel them, and could get a pic if I removed the back wall, but it would be pretty tough. They are standard aerator type pumps, the most reliable and lowest energy consuming pumps out there. Plus, they pee out the side of the boat...always a cool feature, so you know when they are done.

Why the heck is Tony going 16 miles per hour?

My guess would be that he was practicing his surface tricks. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/rofl.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>A face plant at those speeds don't hurt as bad. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

For all you Tige lovers out there, here is an awesome Tige surf wake! <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/634077.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR>It's all in how you drive.....

Mel, thanks for the pics and the info on the RZ2. I love reading about my future boat! <BR>Julianne, great surfing pic

I love the paint scheme and graphics! I typically like a little more color,but that is one HOT boat!<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>