Advice on Boat Purchase

[gcsuper]

What is FAE (fresh air exhaust)? How is this installed? What are the features/benefits of FAE?

Paul

FAE routes the exhaust under water so the fumes won't get to the surfer. I'm not that familiar with the sideswipe system. Does it have the option of running the exhaust out the back. If it doesn't , you may not be able to use an FAE. Just remember that there will be lots of boats for sale this time of year in this area. We have a Tige, MC, Centurion, Nautiqie, Malibu as well as Supra dealers in and around FT Worth/Dallas so there is no shrotage of boats. Unless buying new, I'd rather buy from an individual than from a dealer, although there are advantages to both I guess.

Sorry but I don't know of a boat appraiser in the D/FW area.

[NICKYPOO]

What is FAE (fresh air exhaust)? How is this installed? What are the features/benefits of FAE?

Paul

Do a search for FAE up on the main tool bar of this board. Make yourself a nice hot cup of tea and get ready to do some reading. The threads are endless. They all basically end up in the same place though, FAE rules.

I do not believe the Side Swipe will route out the back. It's one side or the other or both which means no FAE. For most people who already own an FAE (me included), this would be a deal killer. Right now it sounds like the Centurian is the better boat so far as condition goes. You got all winter though. I would would wait it out. Not the easiest thing to do I know but, there are lots of boats out there right now. When you find the right Tige, I mean boat , you'll know it.

[NICKYPOO]

1) Both of the boats handled very well, however both were a major departure from traditional I/O's - in fact it took a little getting used too (is this normal)

Absolutely normal. You don't have the ability to turn the prop like you do with an I/O. This means they can be tough to maneuver in tight spaces at low speed. It's something you get used to but it can be a little tricky at first. As long as you remember that it only goes right in reverse and you set up/plan for that, you'll be fine. Plus you'll have the respect of other inboard owners for not driving an I/O.

7) The Centurion plained out quicker

Did you have the TAPS set to 1 on the Tige when you tried this? Just curious. The TAPS button really becomes second nature to operate while cruising around. It becomes almost aircraft like with changing situations and conditions. I use the crap out of mine.

[talltigeguy]

Even from the ads, the Centurion looked like a cleaner boat.

I think I would not worry about an FAE, the sidewipe takes the fumes to the opposite side when surfing.

I thought I would miss mine from my last boat when wakeboarding, but I really don't miss it that much. The time I notice it most, is when surfing, occasionally I smell a big gulp of exhaust in my face and that is icky.

[chpthril]

1) Both of the boats handled very well, however both were a major departure from traditional I/O's - in fact it took a little getting used too (is this normal)

Absolutely normal. You don't have the ability to turn the prop like you do with an I/O. This means they can be tough to maneuver in tight spaces at low speed. It's something you get used to but it can be a little tricky at first. As long as you remember that it only goes right in reverse and you set up/plan for that, you'll be fine. Plus you'll have the respect of other inboard owners for not driving an I/O.

7) The Centurion plained out quicker

Did you have the TAPS set to 1 on the Tige when you tried this? Just curious. The TAPS button really becomes second nature to operate while cruising around. It becomes almost aircraft like with changing situations and conditions. I use the crap out of mine.

Good point! I'll bet the 05 22v TAPS is wired to default back to 8 when the engine is shut down. This would reduce the time to plain for someone who was doing that comparison.

[NICKYPOO]

I thought I would miss mine (FAE) from my last boat when wakeboarding, but I really don't miss it that much. The time I notice it most, is when surfing, occasionally I smell a big gulp of exhaust in my face and that is icky.

Like I said, most people. I don't know that you are a fair judge of this anyways seeing as how your face is 12" further from the surface of the water than most of ours.

[talltigeguy]

Like I said, most people. I don't know that you are a fair judge of this anyways seeing as how your face is 12" further from the surface of the water than most of ours.

HAHA!

BTW, I should mention that my X45 has what is called the 'Master Muffler'. It is astonishingly similar to an inboard FAE. The exhaust goes into a center tube and then again splits to the two exhaust ports on the back of the boat. I think it probably does cut down on the noise compared to boats without it. It can make changing the impeller a real PIA.

[helmut]

I have boarded a lot behind a centurion with side swipes. While boarding fine while in the boat they suck. Too damn loud.

[NICKYPOO]

The centurion ad reads like the motor is newer than the rest of the boat. Engines fail all too often, but I would be sure to ask why. '58 hours on motor'. Only 15 hours per year might be worse than 150 hours per year. The centurion is very good looking and will appeal to a much broader audience at resale time.

This would be my main concern. 58 hours just broken in. What happened to the old motor? How many hours do the rest of the components have on them? The 250hrs on the Tige really ain't bad. If your truck has an hour meter, check it.

I didn't see that the Tige had any ballast. You could take the money you save over the C4 and have a really nice, modern ballast system put in or diy over the winter. Maybe enough for an FAE as well. That would in turn tune that stereo up quite a bit. You'ld left with a top notch, well proven, well perfoming wake machine.

Then there is the support of this forum. Whatever you need for a Tige, we got someone for that.

[chpthril]

Then there is the support of this forum. Whatever you need for a Tige, there's an app for that.

[pdhj1990]

I respect that I'm on a Tige forum and thus most folks here are and should be biased towards Tige boats. Also, Tige is an outstanding brand!!!

As respects to the two boats I tested, the Centurion had a few advantages. However, I was impressed with both boats.

As respects to FAE, with the sideswipe system you can run the exhaust out the opposite side of the surfer. This should eliminate any exhaust issues. As a former classic car guy, I also like the sound.

I'm going to have the Centurion inspected next Monday. Ronald Reagan once said "trust but verify". If there are any issues, the search goes on. If not, I'll most likely buy the boat.

I really appreciate the advice and counsel - great forum. Thanks again!!!

Paul

[pdhj1990]

I just surfaced another Tige boat - 06 24v. Although I am close to sticking a deal on the 06 Avy, I'd appreciate the forum members input.

Here's a link:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/2049305413.html

I plan to take a closer look at this boat on Saturday. Thoughts?

Paul

[MTtigekid]

I just surfaced another Tige boat - 06 24v. Although I am close to sticking a deal on the 06 Avy, I'd appreciate the forum members input.

Here's a link:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/2049305413.html

I plan to take a closer look at this boat on Saturday. Thoughts?

Paul

close to being the exact boat my fam. has.. we love the hell out of that thing!!!!

[jwanck11]

I dont like green, but do like the looks of the Av or the tige above.

Did you check whether the AV's motor was replaced? If the engine is original, that would scare me. That would mean too much time sitting allowing seals and such to go bad far more quickly. Unfortunately that might not show up until you own it outright and start to use it.

With so much time until next Spring I personally would be looking at as many boats as I could... but that is just me.

Buying a used boat is a crap-shoot and I hope for you whatever you get allows to you to enjoy time on the water without too much headache!

[talltigeguy]

I just surfaced another Tige boat - 06 24v. Although I am close to sticking a deal on the 06 Avy, I'd appreciate the forum members input.

Here's a link:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/2049305413.html

I plan to take a closer look at this boat on Saturday. Thoughts?

Paul

Now THAT is a boat I am in love with already. The hull is IMHO, the best wakeboarding hull Tige has made. And the surf wake is no slouch. My 05 had the same hull. I assume he expects to come down a little more from that too. PCM engine is a significant upgrade from Marine Power, IMPO.

If I were to sell mine and needed to get into a boat in the 30K range, I would consider that very very strongly. And I would not wait until spring if that one is in very good condition. The PCM makes it a less common find. You have me excited now if you can't tell.