1st time owner-suggestions?

[Granada]

We are picking up our 2000 Tige i20 today and its our first boat. Any suggestions right out the gate are welcomed. Seems like its in great shape-360hrs on it.

[Roostergolf]

Make sure you put a pair of goggles and a knife in the boat somewhere! You really never know when you may need them!

[Granada]

Wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

I have had a 2001 tige 20i before and it was a great boat. Just remember you can't steer in reverse. Mine always pulls to the right a little bitin reverse. Do not slow down to fast with that boat because you will take water over the bow. So definitely make sure bilge is in working order, because I can almost guarantee you will take water over at some point. Have fun and welcome to the tige fam. Post pics of your new ride.

[Stingreye]

We are picking up our 2000 Tige i20 today and its our first boat. Any suggestions right out the gate are welcomed. Seems like its in great shape-360hrs on it.

If you have never backed up a trailer before, to straighten it out, turn towards the mirror that you see the boat in. It also tells you the minor corrections you should take.

I have had to teach a few people to backup my trailer and that seems to be the tip that helps them get what to do straight in their heads.

[AdaminMN]

Practice, practice, practice! Especially docking maneuvers.

And yes, watch the bow. I've dunked mine a couple times.

[Dandy]

Rooster - not trying to steal the thread, but Goggles and a Knife? Our first inboard is on the way to us and I have had other boats and never needed these things. Are you more likely to have an underwater knife fight with a ninja since the Tiges are so cool (Joking)?

[Ruger761]

Once you get use to the boat your going to love it. Congrats! like others have said watch the bow, they sit low in the water so keep throttle up when crossing into your own wake or another boats wake.

Dandy the goggles and knife are for when you get any type of rope caught into the prop. Gotta get it out. On an I/O your able to lift prop outa water to get it, but wiht a swim platform on an inboard its a PIA without it. Its 2 items you hope to never use.

[Pow-Wake]

If you have never backed up a trailer before, to straighten it out, turn towards the mirror that you see the boat in. It also tells you the minor corrections you should take.

I have had to teach a few people to backup my trailer and that seems to be the tip that helps them get what to do straight in their heads.

That's exactly how my bother-in-law taught me to back up the trailer years and years ago. He's a truck driver and can back up doubles and triples in his sleep.

[Dandy]

Ruger, thanks for pointing that out. Kinda what I was guessing, but in my 10 or so years of boat ownership, I have never had a line get wrapped around my prop, when we get the inboard it will probably happen day 1! I was really hoping for underwater ninja knife fights

[IDBoating]

Another easy way to control the trailer in reverse: Hold the steering wheel at the bottom. Then, the trailer will go whichever way you move your hand. Feels very natural, requires no training.

[jslayde1]

Congrats on your new boat - post some pics for us. We love pictures.

[Stingreye]

That's exactly how my bother-in-law taught me to back up the trailer years and years ago. He's a truck driver and can back up doubles and triples in his sleep.

I was also taught by a trucker Before he told me that, I was a train wreck the first couple times! He also told me that the trailer never really goes straight. Imagine trying to balance something on a pivot and thats a trailer. He told me even when you are backing straight its because you are making really minor adjustments back and forth.

WA - your method also works great ( my WAboating praises are coming in the prop pulling thread! He saved me!) It seems like its really easy for people to backup trailers once they learn their left from right!

[Joeprunc]

There are always a possibility of under water ninja knife fights. And I'm not worried about me running over the rope, I'm more worried about the person pulling me.

Granada, a few other things to add:
- Be sure to put the drain plugs in, some boats have one, I believe the 20i has two. One at the transom, and one T handle in front of the motor.
- Keep an eye on the temp (140F - 160F), oil pressure (40-70psi depending on RPM), voltage (13-14 volts).
- As soon as you put the boat in the water and have it running, open the engine bay and make sure everything is sound, and no water is entering the hull.
I also periodically check for water thru the day.
- At the end of the day when you get the boat back on the trailer I'd recommend disconnecting the battery or turning the Perko switch off.

As the previous owner when the impeller was last replaced, if its been over 2 years you may want to replace it before heading out.

[Duncan]

Welcome to TO and congrats on your boat

If you have never backed up a trailer before, to straighten it out, turn towards the mirror that you see the boat in. It also tells you the minor corrections you should take.

Another easy way to control the trailer in reverse: Hold the steering wheel at the bottom. Then, the trailer will go whichever way you move your hand. Feels very natural, requires no training.

Those are both great tips! And x10 re goggles and knife (I like a filet knife).

Buy an air horn and keep it close to the driver -- you will need it.

Buy a box anchor (small if you do moderate windy lakes, medium of windy or river).

Upgrade your bilge pump for more capacity.

Replace impeller every two seasons.

Replace bow strap every three seasons or keep an extra close (maybe more if trailer stored outside). Use rear safety straps, if not present, install them.

Replace trailer tires every 3-4 seasons no matter miles. Make sure always proper psi -- just a little pressure down makes a big difference in weight capacity and risks blowouts.

Always pick up a rider on the starboard/driver side (never ever port side).

Carry an extra plug in the boat.

Consider upgrading to an on-board battery tender/charger.

Teach your wife to back the trailer

Get a real first aid kit including a big 30 gram bag of Celox powder (and hope you never need it).

Research and buy wax, daily spray, vinyl cleaner, and vinyl conditioner. Get used to wiping everything down every time the boat comes in.

Use Sta-Bil ethanol treatment marine formula in every tank if you have to buy gas containing ethanol. It is much worse on a boat than a car because of moisture.