Wakeboard Boat Review
With its pickle-fork bow and sleek custom graphics, the Tigé RZ2 looks to stand out on the water in its second model year. We all agreed this wakeboard boat lived up to appearances, throwing off versatile wakes depending on settings. Styling lines continue throughout the boat all the way to the transom.
Hull: Sporting Tigé’s signature ConvexV hull design, the Tigé RZ2 is well-equipped to throw out wakes. The ConvexV is designed to naturally ride lower in the water, alleviating some of the need for ballast. The Tigé RZ2 also features a pickle-fork bow, which does a great job of opening up more space.
Ballast: The ConvexV does a good job of generating enough wake for a beginner, but as a rider advances, the need for more weight will hit. We recommend snagging the optional 900 pounds of ballast to get the full experience of this wake machine. Placed throughout the boat, the weight helps the hull dig deeper.
Tower: The optional collapsible wakeboard tower is a must-have. With tower lights, swivel wakeboard racks and up to four tower-mounted speakers, it has a solid look. The top arc is especially high, so we weren’t bumping our head, though we did have to have the taller guys change the rope lengths.
Wake shaper: The TAPS2 on the Tigé RZ2 is able to change wake shape on the fly with just a push of the switch at the cockpit. Wakes can go from mellower for beginners to ones with more lip for advanced wakeboarders.
Highlight feature: The bow, with the grills that look like eyes, gives the Tigé RZ2 the appearance of an animal on the prowl as it cruises across the lake. It seems like it’s going to eat pontoons, fishermen, whatever. We liked that.
The wake: Once the ballast was filled, we found we could dial in whatever kind of wake we wanted. We got great mellow wakes or solid meaty ones, depending on our TAPS2 setting. Overall the Tigé RZ2 has a steeper wake with more vert than Tigé’s Vé series. We recommend riding out at 70 feet at 23 mph for the wake’s sweet spot.
What We Dig
— The bow is especially wide
— Same goes for the beam at 102 inches
— TAPS2 has an easy-to-read cockpit gauge
— Reversible corner cushion becomes step
— Rear bench above swim platform has storage
— Styling lines continue along hull
Specs
Length w/o platform: 22’
Beam: 8’6”
People: 14
Dry weight: 4,150 lb.
Ballast: 900 lb. total*
Tower: Tigé E- or Z-Series*
Racks: Swivel wakeboard racks*
Wake shaper: TAPS2
Main lounge: 61 sq. ft.
Stereo: AM/FM/CD Clarion deck, Wet Sounds speakers, amp, subwoofer, remote, satellite-radio ready, iPod interface, digital transom remote*
Cooler: 39 qt.
Fuel: 48 gal.
Trailer: Tandem axle*
Base MSRP: $51,500
*Optional
Engine
Standard: Tigé GM Vortec 5.7L, 315 hp
Test: Tigé GM Vortec 5.7L, 340 hp
Test prop: Acme 13.5×16.5 blade prop
Cruise: Tigé Speedset optional
