Why did you choose Tige?

[NICKYPOO]

1) Build quality. Wrangler put it best with "did the homework". I did the same. I spent month after month after month reading and researching everything I could from construction processes to materials. The Tiges shined over all other inboards.

2)TAPS. A static hull is archaic. There is a reason you see just about every other manufacturer putting a trim plate on their boats now. The ability to alter the attitude of the hull is a necessity to me. It blows my mind that some builders still don't use them. Whatever.

3)Versatility. I like to do it all. My friends and I do a lot of wake surfing. A LOT. It's easy to get an awesome wake that I can surf both sides of. However, I can drain the ballast and make a few passes through the slalom coarse on the fire stick. Once we're done there we can cruise across the lake in whatever conditions mother nature or mother boat traffic can throw at us and still have a nice smooth comfortable ride. I've been in several other inboards that will knock the fillings out of your teeth with just minimal chop. I've had the owners of those very same boats on my Tige and the first thing out of their mouths is always the same "Damn, I can't believe how smooth this thing rides."

4)Comfort. The second I sat behind the wheel of my boat I knew it was mine. IMHO still the best Tige ever. The seats are deep and wide and plush. If we have a few boats headed across the lake the Tige is the hot ticket and everyone knows it.

I've had this boat for 5 years now and it never gives me trouble. It is as solid as the day I bought it. It has been everything I hoped it would be and then some. I would absolutley buy another one if I had to. But I don't have to. Mine still works perfect.

[Tequilasun]

I was going to write out something profound, but you can just read Nickypoo's comments above. I agree with everything he said.

[NICKYPOO]

Who's your Daddy?

[raythompson]

Because I needed a new boat as my old boat was 20 years old.

Now in fairness to my Century Bronco (18 foot I/O) that boat had served me well and there was really no compelling reason to get rid of that boat.

My wife and I had been looking for a couple of years at the local boat show. We had taken a couple of demo rides in a Cobalt and a Four Winns. Both boats were I/O and were very nice boats indeed. However, neither boat was much different than what we had. The much hyped quietness of the Cobalt did not exist and the boat cavitated in a hard turn. The Four Winns seemed bland and I was not a fan of the Volvo drive system with two spinning props as that makes for an expensive lower unit housing.

So we were at the boat show in March 2005 and stopped in the Sea Ray of Knoxville booth. We looked at the Sea Ray and they had one glaring problem in the model size that interested us. The top of the windshield was directly in my vision path and really needed to be two inches taller. While Sea Ray was a nice boat, it just did nothing to make us want to buy.

Then my wife wandered over to the Tige area in the Sea Ray of Knoxville booth. She really like the interior layout and the amount of space in the 22V. I liked the overall look of the boat. So we negotiated a price and got set up for a test ride in the demo boat.

I was impressed with the handling and the power. I put the demo boat through many hard turns both under power and while cutting the power. I accelerated and decelerated to check the wave wash over the back. I made several loops to create rough water and drove the boat through the waves. While is was rougher than my old deep V I/O, it was not nearly as rough as other inboards in which I had ridden.

The boat was also quieter as the engine compartment was fairly well sealed. As an aside my boat is even quieter with the Fresh Air Exhaust installed.

I also knew and trusted Sea Ray of Knoxville as a dealer. They had worked on my prior boat with reasonable success. There was one problem when they replaced my stern (excellent job) and the outdrive lift would not work but they corrected that in short order. I had also had friends use them and were equally satisfied.

So we finished the demo ride and decided to continue with our purchase.

One thing I wish I had ordered with the boat was the hot water shower. Not that we would use it that much when wake boarding, but it would sure be nice when camping to get a hot shower.

What I don't like is that both batteries are on the port side of the boat making it very much crowded to get to the batteries. The starboard side has nothing in that area and it is a waste of space. I also do not like the fuel guage as technology should have cheaply solved the problem a long time ago. I also do not like the drains on the cupholders as they are too small and the carpet clogs the holes.

I did get the docking lights and find that they are generally worthless and would not purchase that option again.

I do like the ride. I do like the overall construction. I do like the performance and the handling of the boat. The higher sidewalls gives a much more comforting feeling than the Malibus or Mastercraft; you just feel safer.

So I am pleased with my purchase. I would do it again with some modifications in the options.

I also have to say that the dealer can make or break any boating experience. Sea Ray of Knoxville has been around a long time and has a good reputation and that is worth a lot.

[wrangler]

Tige Watersports...

Go in and see Daniel at Tige Watersports and he will do everything he can to make the process painless and enjoyable. Chris, the owner, is a straight-up guy and will spend as much time with you as you need as well... The customer service there is great and I have even heard an urban myth that they towed in another boat manufacturer's boat and dealer after they ran out of gas on a demo... Probably not true...but it makes a great story...

Pick another brand that you are considering and then do a head to head demo...it's completely worth the time and effort! Do your homework... Measure the interiors of your competing brands... Check all the stats. Look at the V angles on the boats and the construction of the hull... I suspect you will end up with the boat that best matches your family boating needs and wants...and I bet dollars to donuts it will be a Tige...

Good luck and have fun!!!

[talltigeguy]

Ray,

By docking lights, you mean tower lights...or do you mean headlights?

IMO, I think headlights would be a good thing, tower lights seem to not be all that useful because the glare off of everything in the interior of the boat makes it so you can't see the water. I would like to know if you have headlights that are useless. What model boat do you have?

[lee]

Docking lights are small white lights mounted by the shark eye lights.

[tony dunn jr.]

One thing I forgot to mention on my previous post is the walk thru transom! This is a really cool feature to pull that cushion out when there is alot of people getting on and off the boat!! You don't think that much about it untill you are cleaning at the end of the day and see how much dirty in that area is that is not on the cushions.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by talltigeguy
By docking lights, you mean tower lights...or do you mean headlights?

I mean the lights that go into the front of the hull. They do very little to illuminate what you need to see. The lights are either angled improperly or are too weak to really be effective. My handheld LED flashlight is much better.

[Tequilasun]

I agree with ray on the Docking lights. I don't think they are that usefull.


We never had much use for the docking lights on our 03.

We have our bow marker lights in that location now.

[G-MONEY]

If you looking for customer service and the best deal around on a boat go see Matt at Boats of Nevada or Ken At VS Marine in Atascadero. You can look at the boats at Tige Watersports but when you’re ready to buy I strongly recommend Both.

Just My .02

[gman]

I would like to suggest that you take the time and shop at several locations just like you do for an automobile. Just because someone is close by does not make it the best deal.

[dogbert]

Room - there is no subsitute...you can't beat the storage

Layout - in '99 my boat had the best layout bar none

Dealer - I was all set to buy a Super Air Nautique, but the snobby folks at Sail & Ski would not come talk to me at the boat show. I was already frustrated with their crappy service department, so it wasn't a big shock. The guys at the Ski Dock on the other hand were very helpful and we spent about 3 hours talking to the Tige factory rep. I've come to appreciate the service I get from the Ski Dock so I'm a fan for life.

Quality - my boat is built like a tank...most everything is over-engineered and it's performed flawlessly. In fact, I'm so happy with it, it would be hard for me to justify a new one...however, the new 22Ve is the first new model where I've actually had second thoughts about that position. The wife's been pretty lenient about all my toys, but she's pushed back on this idea so it'll probably be a while (other priorities).

All four of these were critical differentiators for us.

[Laketrash]

Because I got a Deal!!!

I was able to pick up my 2001 21i for $15,000 three summers ago during a divorce/War of the Roses liquidation. It only had 42 hours on it. Sweet!!!

Besides, here in "Malibu Land" I like having something Different, and Better!!!

[Ruune]

hmmm where to start-

I had looked at malibu, MC, CC, and Tigé, ridden in or behind practically everything that I'd consider (at the time). I found a great dealer (Ski Dock, Austin TX), whom I've had many, many dealings with since (service, repairs, toys, toys, and more toys)... and they always take care of me.

Why I decided on the 22v- It was a toss up between the 22 and 24, and when I realized that the 24 wouldnt fit in my garage w/o a shoehorn, the 22 won out.

The reason I selected these two was for the ride, construction (stringer system from 2004-on), design (convex-v, which MC dealers slam to this day... even though it produces a superior wake, IMHO!), wake, powertrain- I've always used Merc & Walter is a proven V-drive solution, appearance, handling, I could go on!

Now, what I'd do differently is definitely order the factory ballast, but without the tanks, then have some sacks plumbed in their staid.

I'd possibly get the 6.0L powerplant, but I'm hearing that the MP 340-horse is a beast...even in the 24!

Also, I'd get a hot water shower and a heater (yes, I ride year round!) and factory tower lights.

As for PP versus Tigé's new speed control- dont leave the dock w/o one of these!