New Tige owner

[Geoff3512]

I have just purchased a 97 pre 2100WT with a monster tower. Beside opening up the engine cover and using the Blower when I first start the boat in the morning are there any other tricks of the Tige I should know about. Any and all information is welcome. Thanks in advance

[TeamAllen]

Congratulations on the new boat! Have you had any boating experience? If so, is this your first direct drive? That will make a difference on the advice.

[poohpotta]

Congrats on the new boat, I agree with TeamAllen that the fact of you ever owning an inboard will help with advice.

[Geoff3512]

Yes it my first Direct drive, we have had a outboard for the last 24 years, but I finally made the jump. We'll be out on the lake this weekend and I can't wait.

[poohpotta]

The real problem I had when I switched to the inboard was maneuvering it around the docks and getting it back on the trailer. You really have little control over the boat in reverse, I've owned this boat for two years and still have a problem with getting around in tight areas. I found getting a nice, long run helps tremendously with getting the boat back on the trailer.

[Geoff3512]

I noticed that when I took the boat for a test drive, it was a little dicey getting the boat into the slip. I also soaked my kids in the bow when I slowed down to quickly. How long do you let the engine warm up before take out a skier? I always let the skier go on th glassey water before the boarder get a go.

[BrentRR]

I agree with the issue of navigating in tight areas. This is my first direct drive also and I was told by the dealer to determine the direction your boat will go when in reverse - it will go one way or the other based on the prop rotation.

My boat goes to the right when in reverse, so I come at the trailer a little on the left of center so that when I hit reverse to slow down it will take the boat to the right which is the proper direction.

Takes practice and patience, but you'll get the hang of it.

[poohpotta]

My wife always wants to go for a good bow ride, so I usually always get that out of the way first. By that time, the engine is good and warm. If I remember correctly, that bow points down real far in the front so I can see how you can take water over the bow. My 22V has done that but only when driving into some HUGE rollers!!

[poohpotta]

BrentRR - It does take A LOT of patience, especially when you have kids goofing around in the boat

I still have times I've had to stop and make a second run at it, that makes you feel real stupid, especially at a busy dock!!! My dealer said he was going to give me some pointers on how to back up in reverse. It really sucks to watch these teenagers back up there Dad's boat perfectly into a slip and I have a hard time getting it in straight moving forward!

[Geoff3512]

poohpotta - My wife always wants to go for a good bow ride, so I usually always get that out of the way first.

I haven't stopped laughing, so 3 - 5 minutes for the boat to warm up ?

[poohpotta]

Depends on the context your taking "bow ride" to mean Sometimes it can take much longer than a few minutes, but in the case of the boat motor that sounds about right.

[wellhydrated]

I'm a new Tige owner as well as being new to boating.

One thing I learned from a fellow Tige owner is to take down the bimini and the boards off the racks before pulling the boat on to the trailer on windy days. Thats helped me a bit because there's less wind resistance from the side so I don't have to correct too much to the side the wind is blowing from. Especially at a busy boat launch like some of the ones on Lake Mead where there are boats on both sides of you and you have no choice but to approach the trailer perfectly straight.

Boat launch etiquite may be a good topic for some of us new boaters. In the one month I've been boating there have been at least four accidents that I know of at the launch I use (I witnessed one).

[xpjim1]

Wellhydrated

Good Advice. I learned that one early on also. The afternoon winds are terrible on Mead, Mojave and Havasu and the launch ramps are crowded. Its in the routine now that boards and bimini are put away. what model TIGE do you own?

We used to sit at Katherines Landing after we pulled out and just watch the launch ramp fiascos. Very entertaining and cost alot less than rushing back to the casinos.

[wellhydrated]

My fiancee and I just purchased an 05 22v. We picked it up at the end of June and already have over 30 hours on it.

I've been reading the posts here and learning from everybody on here. There is really a lot to learn and this site has been invaluable. I can't Imagine what our first experience boating would have been like without some of the tips I picked up here.

Ramp fiascos are fun to watch-now that we have it down to a science. My theory is to spend as little time at the launch as humanly possible.

[TeamAllen]

We do skiiers first as well. There is a post obout the water over the bow here. I agree with jeffro in that post. It is a technique I read about in Waterski Magazine. It not only prevents the roller from coming over the bow, it stops it from sending an even bigger roller through everyone else's water.

As far as the temp. goes... I let it get to operating temp around, 175. It also helps make sure your impeller is working properly and not overheating the engine. And your not to far from the dock in case there is a problem.