"Switch" series: no frills bargain, or just cheap?

[Jab]

I'm considering a used Tige Switch 20i.

Since they are no longer manufactured, I'm having a hard time finding good info. Reviews in the trades when they were released are typically glowing (and typically useless). A few message boards on the topic are dominated by brand-bashers with little personal experience with the boat.

I am looking for a boat for general recreational use- skiing, wake boarding and tubing with the kids. Not running courses for competition or anything hard core.

If this has already been addressed in the forum, I can't find it!

Thanks in advance for any replies.....

JAB

[whitlock87]

Jab
I have its sister ( Switch V)
The boat has the same haul as the 20V ( 2004 is when they changed the mold. The 2006 20 used the switch molds)
What engine? I have the Marine Power 5.7 MPFI.(some of the boats cam with a carburetor)
This has been a very good and powerful engine. We have pulled two boards and up to six people on tubers with no issues. The switch I does not have as much room in the boat as the Switch V, due to the placement of the engine. (walking room)
It only has one speed-0 but do you really need two?
It has tones of storage room, as Tige did not let any free space go to waste.
The TAPS2 works great (I drive with it at 1 to keep the boat from proposing and board at 4)

Where are you located?
IM me if you what my number for more info
Good luck on your choice
David

[akdoc]

I had a 2004 switch V and its a good hull. The no frills interior is fine for general use. The big problem we had with it is to get a decent wakeboarding and surfing wake you have to add a ton of weight. We ran over 2100 pounds in that boat and the wake was ok at best. Surfing wake was not great. Running a ton of weight will set that thing low, so you have to be careful driving it.

[dom w. forte]

I have a 2004 switch i , we use it primarily on our ski team but my sons and I also use it , its been a great boat dependable and puts up a very respectable wakeboard wake and when weighted it has a really good surf wake , being no frills worked out for us.

[harv]

We had a 2005 Switch V. Great boat! The only issue I ever had was the Taps fuse blowing on a regular basis but then it corrected itself.

Raised the swim step up 8" and the surf wake is very decent with a good bunch of weight!

[Utemachine]

I just sold my 04 switch I and it was an awesome boat. Mine had the MP carb'd motor amd had plenty of power. For a 20 ft boat I actually like how the interior lays out better than a V as you can space out instead of everyone sitting on top of each other. For the everyday wakeboarder the wake was just fine. Ski wake is amazing and it's a great tube machine. You will not get a good surf wake from this boat period. I had one issue with mine last year, the taps control module fried and the actuator went out. Cost me a little over 1000. If I remember correctly the module did not have a fuse in front of it. Buy that boat, you will love it!

[Jab]

Appreciate all the replies!
I'm in Maine. Tige boats are relatively rare up here.
Engine is 5700 Vortec 340 HP Multi Port Injected.
No wake surfers in our clan (yet). Just recreational skiers and boarders. We would probably just play within the limits of the TAPS2, and not add ballast.
I'm a fan of the direct strive layout, so the engine position is actually a plus for me.
Sounds like "no frills" applies to interior trim/fit&finish, not to hull, electronics, and mechanics? If so, I'm good with it. I want fun, functional, and reliable. I can live without flashy, plush, and tricked-out.

Enjoy summer!...... JAB

[Utemachine]

Pull the trigger Jab, you will love that boat!