2016 Helix vs 2017 Craz

[jared24]

Below is the break down on the 2 boats I’m looking at with the most notable options for each. The Craz will cost me around 7k more. Obviously, the Craz is bigger with better layout and would prob hold value better, however the Helix is optioned better with autowake, dual bat and audio upgrade. Not to mention a longer warranty and WAY less hours…

2016 Helix: 70 hours, surf edition w/bow bag, 6 year engine warranty left, autowake, wetsounds audio upgrade w/sub, bimini, bow cushion, swivel board racks, dual Bat w/ charger, depth finder, non-skid gunnels.

2017 Craz: 220 hours, 5 year engine, surf edition + 900 rears, Bimini w/surf storage, swivel racks, depth finder, non-skid gunnels, 15x13 Prop.

I’d love any feedback or suggestions on these two…

[mcjimmy33]

An extra foot is a ton of room on a boat. My 2 cents. Length always prevails in surfing too. The batterys and audio can easily be added over time. I dont think you are losing anything with the autowake, didnt even realize 16s had it. How does the 16 have a longer warranty than a 17?

[DFTR Josh]

You're looking at 2 fantastic boats I've had the pleasure on demoing both. I'll start with I think the Helix is a better preforming boat hull wise. You're going to lose a little space but I feel gain it with storage with the deeper boat. Out of the box both wakeboard wakes are fantastic but I feel the Helix wins with better shape and a little steeper. Both feel that they will need extra ballast to get a big pushy surf but the shape with stock was easier to get with the Helix for me. If you ski I would push towards the Craz, I had a family ski it and was sold. Warranty is huge if you're keeping a boat for awhile, most other stuff can be added.

[jared24]

2016 Helix is a private seller that had the dealer add autowake with there purchase. He bought it in 2017 with a dealer special 7 year engine warranty (6 years left).

2017 Craz is a dealer seller which would take my current trade-in which would save the hassle of selling it myself. Just having a hard time getting over the hours on it...

[stevemarich]

I would worry a whole lot on the hours , as long as the interior and hull don't show the wear , 220 really isn't a lot especially if you will have 5 years of warranty, the 7 year came with a boat show purchase last year not sure how the craz didn't get , I got a 7 year on mine, but did buy at the boat show, it is hard choice both are nice boats , if you like the layout of the Helix then I would lean more towards it , and you may like the smaller payment. I love our craz and wouldn't trade it for a Helix, just to short me ,the autowake is very handy feature, but you can still function the craz just fine without it.

[jared24]

So smaller stock helix with 2100# produced better wave than stock craz with 3000#? That's interesting. I do slalom occasional, but it's surf/wake 95% of the time.

[stevemarich]

A stock craz for 17 was 2000# add bow sac for 2500# surf max package 3000#

[DFTR Josh]

So smaller stock helix with 2100# produced better wave than stock craz with 3000#? That's interesting. I do slalom occasional, but it's surf/wake 95% of the time.
I say the Helix hull threw better shape out of the box. The Craz took a little messing with to get a decent stock wave. Once you learn autowake it's actually very nice.

[mcjimmy33]

I wouldn't let the hours worry you in the least. No reason the drivetrain doesn't last 1k hours. As others have said the interior condition is more important.


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[Catman]

Helix is a bit ugly ,may out perform but. with a few mods the Craz is way more boat imo

[jared24]

I'm demoing the Craz this Sat. I'll be sure to really study the interier. If demo goes well, and they get where we need to be on trade, might have to tow home...

[stevemarich]

Hopefully they can deal on it , that is where tell tale will be , you definitely got to make the numbers work but a good dealer should be able to wheel and deal for you.From the sounds of it they should have some room to work with you between boat price and your trade .Good luck.

[DFTR Josh]

Helix is a bit ugly ,may out perform but. with a few mods the Craz is way more boat imo
I thought WTH when the Helix came out but it's grown on me and I actually think it looks great in the water. Now the lines on the Craz are to die for if you like the traditional look, I think it's the best looking boat in the line.
26629 26630

[korey]

Helix is a bit ugly ,may out perform but. with a few mods the Craz is way more boat imo

This. I don't like the lines of ether the Helix or Max - which are obviously from the same person's mind. We call that "Design Language" in my industry. I just like boat's with round lines and pointy bows. Good thing they make them all different ways - different strokes. I also feel like the "more square" lines in the interior give the Helix/max less "luxurious" feel than the Mondo/Craz/Mojo. Again, that's all opinion. The Helix/Max seem much more spartan to me.

[jared24]

It all comes down to personal opinions. I actually prefer the shape of the Helix, especially the bow over the traditional Craz bow look. But after sitting in a Helix at the boat show, and seeing how cramped my wife (5'4") looked sitting up front, the Craz grew on me a little.

[korey]

Not to get off on a tangent here, but those same "lines" are the reason that I've got NO interest in an Axis.

[stevemarich]

I'm demoing the Craz this Sat. I'll be sure to really study the interier. If demo goes well, and they get where we need to be on trade, might have to tow home...

We're you able to demo the Craz

[jared24]

Yes sir, bitter cold but worth it. Came away super impressed. Sale guy (who is also a pro surfer) threw in some bigger rear bags that came off a Supra. Not sure of the size but they did cut into the rear seating compartment about two foot. Wave was tsunami like and the bags didn't take away too much storage, should be running about 3500# of ballast I'm guessing!

Had them throw in a dual battery setup and bow cushion in the deal and we're set to close on it this Saturday!

Now just got to figure out my tow rig situation out...sold my 2012 V6 Jeep GC last night and I've been looking at a 2014 Jeep GC with a hemi. Has 7400# tow cap but I'm concern with the size of these compact SUV's vs Craz. Think the Craz would push it all around?

[sivs1]

Now just got to figure out my tow rig situation out...sold my 2012 V6 Jeep GC last night and I've been looking at a 2014 Jeep GC with a hemi. Has 7400# tow cap but I'm concern with the size of these compact SUV's vs Craz. Think the Craz would push it all around?

Get a truck, if you like GC the Ram 1500 is a nice tow rig. I had a lease on one and tried killing it while towing in the mountains, could not. Good truck with a lot of nice creature comforts. If it could handle my SA it can handle a Craz.

[stevemarich]

Glad the demo went good , post some pics when you pick it up

[KG's Supra24]

Yes sir, bitter cold but worth it. Came away super impressed. Sale guy (who is also a pro surfer) threw in some bigger rear bags that came off a Supra. Not sure of the size but they did cut into the rear seating compartment about two foot. Wave was tsunami like and the bags didn't take away too much storage, should be running about 3500# of ballast I'm guessing!

Had them throw in a dual battery setup and bow cushion in the deal and we're set to close on it this Saturday!

Now just got to figure out my tow rig situation out...sold my 2012 V6 Jeep GC last night and I've been looking at a 2014 Jeep GC with a hemi. Has 7400# tow cap but I'm concern with the size of these compact SUV's vs Craz. Think the Craz would push it all around?

How much are you going to be towing? I've pulled our Mojo with a 2013 Jeep GC with hemi and air suspension (i forget what they call it). It pulled and stopped but the size difference felt a little uncomfortable. For comparison, though, I typically tow with a diesel. The 14 GC gets the 8 speed tranny I think? My 2013 is 5.

Here is a peek at the size difference in real life .... (Boat is a Mojo, not a Craz)


https://i.imgur.com/dAKOfBw.jpg

[jared24]

How much are you going to be towing? I've pulled our Mojo with a 2013 Jeep GC with hemi and air suspension (i forget what they call it). It pulled and stopped but the size difference felt a little uncomfortable. For comparison, though, I typically tow with a diesel. The 14 GC gets the 8 speed tranny I think? My 2013 is 5.

Here is a peek at the size difference in real life .... (Boat is a Mojo, not a Craz)


https://i.imgur.com/dAKOfBw.jpg

Yes the 14 has the 8 speed. Is yours the altitude edition with the HEMI or did you just add black rims? My 12 I just sold was the altitude version, haven't seen one in the v8 series...

We just do a handful of local tows in summer between 2 lakes we visit and our once a year haul in the north GA mountains to lake Blue Ridge for a week.

[jared24]

Glad the demo went good , post some pics when you pick it up
this is her...

26661

[KG's Supra24]

Yes the 14 has the 8 speed. Is yours the altitude edition with the HEMI or did you just add black rims? My 12 I just sold was the altitude version, haven't seen one in the v8 series...

We just do a handful of local tows in summer between 2 lakes we visit and our once a year haul in the north GA mountains to lake Blue Ridge for a week.

It's an Overland Summit. We pulled the factory wheels and added the previous generation SRT8 replica wheels.

[stevemarich]

this is her...

26661Right on , good looking Craz , congrats

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[jared24]

It's an Overland Summit. We pulled the factory wheels and added the previous generation SRT8 replica wheels.

I like that. The 14 hemi I'm looking at is white and def needs some rims like that...

[DFTR Josh]

The Craz is a very nice boat, get the deal done so we can say congrats!!!

[KG's Supra24]

That's a great looking Craz!

I, personally, wouldn't be comfortable loading up the family every weekend and pulling the boat to the lake with the GC size. If it matters, we don't get better gas mileage than the larger SUVs.

[Broke Pilot]

I'm pretty sure by the time you load the family and gear in the Jeep you'll be over GVWR with 700ish pounds on the tongue.
I'd say find a Tahoe or something if you wanna stick with SUV.

[jared24]

26666
coming home...

[stevemarich]

26666
coming home...Sweet , congrats again , and definitely a great looking boat. Glad it worked out for you

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[Broke Pilot]

Love that green!

[jared24]

Maybe a dumb question but, I was told I dont have autowake, but playing with the menu tonight it has autowake settings under the vessel setting menu. Any chance it might actually have it?

[stevemarich]

Maybe a dumb question but, I was told I dont have autowake, but playing with the menu tonight it has autowake settings under the vessel setting menu. Any chance it might actually have it?Push the cruise button twice and you will find out

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[stevemarich]

I believe that setting is in there even if you don't have it though

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[DFTR Josh]

Congrats on getting the deal done, you will love that Craz.

[jared24]

I'm looking at a 2014 Ram 1500. It has the Hemi but the rear axle ratio is 3.21 which I believe gives it a tow cap of 8200#. Think this would handle the Craz with a full crew and gear well enough?

[KG's Supra24]

For sure. My hesitation with the Jeep isn't the power but the size difference. A full size truck should do the job and feel much more comfortable.

[DFTR Josh]

I'm looking at a 2014 Ram 1500. It has the Hemi but the rear axle ratio is 3.21 which I believe gives it a tow cap of 8200#. Think this would handle the Craz with a full crew and gear well enough?
Is it worth looking into a 2500/3500 since the weight adds up quick and tends to squat a truck?

[Shoebox]

Is it worth looking into a 2500/3500 since the weight adds up quick and tends to squat a truck?Go for 3500, then you'll never have to worry about payload. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180216/940c6bbcea39e57e3a1d60d440b41bee.jpg

[Boonejeepin]

Go for 3500, then you'll never have to worry about payload. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180216/940c6bbcea39e57e3a1d60d440b41bee.jpg

You can never have too much truck!


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[Broke Pilot]

If looking at a used ram 1500, pull every available service record for it. Even the new trucks are still having issue with the passenger side exhaust manifold bolts shearing. It's covered under the powertrain warranty if there's any left.
Also, the 5.7 Hemi around 65-90k miles tend to stick one of the non-MDS lifters and wipe a lobe off the cam. Make sure to use a high moly content oil.
If you can swing it, look for a truck with the 8 speed trans. It's a beast, you'll love it.
Hard to beat the Hemi power with a trailer following you.