2003 24V

[Mercmotor200]

Considering purchasing a 2003 Tige 24V with a 350 Mag so have a few questions and this forum seems to be the place! I am coming out of a crownline 225 with a 350 (260 HP) so never owned this style of boat before but the kids want to surf. We have surfed behind my bro's X45 with an 8.1 and they really like surfing now! So the question is will the 24v perform? We all still like to ski, wakeboard, knee board and the dreaded tube from time to time. Having back surgery I would like a boat that will be able to pull me out without killing me (crownline & 6'5 225lbs) when slalom skiing. I am sure I will have a ton of other questions i.e. ballasts & etc. Just looking for performance at this point and is this a good boat to surf behind as well?
Thank you.

[chpthril]

That V hull will produce a great surf wave with the right ballast. The Merc 350 Mag is a solid motor, but you may need a prop upgrade for handling the surf ballast and good fast hole shot for a deep water single-plank slalom start. Good wake board wake and overall good performing boat.

[Mercmotor200]

Thanks chpthril, appreciate the info! The seller has stated it has factory ballasts front and back, but from reading here not sure that's enough... And you seem to be the go to guy with this info. The boat is 7 hours away from me, any other questions or concerns I should have before trekking seven hours? All photo's look great and boat seems to be well taken care of, just wondering what long term tige owners would be looking for. Thank you again for helping a new guy.

[M&M]

2000 20CI, Ozarks. Sounds like a small engine for a 24' boat. My 20' boat has a 350 mag. I figured a boat this size would have a big block. M&M

[chpthril]

Nothing comes to mind on that boat that I would be any more concerned with as with any other 12 year old boat. Ask the seller frankly, what doesnt work work right. Theres nothing that can be address, it just makes for a no surprise sea trial and making a fair offer. if it has perfect pass, make sure to test it and make sure the TAPS plate works.

Factory ballast is not the most ideal for surfing unless you have a large crew. Even then, a thousand pounds in the aft locker never hurts.

[loudelectronics]

The 24V is a solid boat. Great boat actually and likely the best bang for the buck on the used market. It surfs as good and better than most boats on the market currently and if you are used to surfing behind the x45 you will be completely blown away behind the 24V. The wakeboard wake is also really good for the year of the boat and the slalom wake flattens pretty good at speed and taps down.

You will want to put and acme 1235 on it if not already. It will help that small motor in that big boat. I had the 6.0L on my 24V with the 537 acme back in the day and it had more holeshot power than my current z3 with 6.0L and 1235 prop. The 1235 is more for the 5.7L blocks not the 6.0.

You will want to remove the stock ballast if any and talk to chpthril for some L sacs for rear lockers. You will also want to get two 1100 vdrive sacs for the front lockers. They do not fill up completely on drivers side but passenger side it does and will make they best wake you have ever ridden for surfing.

Couple things to consider is that the steering cable may need replaced if stiff steering. The rudder may also require replacement if never replaced as the bushings wear out and also create stiffer steering. Otherwise, great boat. Wish I never sold mine.

[Thegerman618]

Current owner, just a few years newer but have owned a boat with the Merc 350. I LOVE MY 24Ve' "loudelectronics" is spot on with the wave its awesome. I run an ENZO 1500lbs sac on the surf side with 400-800lbs in the Bow (depending on group size). That 350 motor is great, agreed with the prop swap might be first thing you want to do. Good Luck!!

[toohers5]

x2 with "









X2 with "Thegerman" long live the Ve,looking into the 1235 prop as well, also a "FAE" but need some infor/advice on the FAE one piece or three piece,keep it stainless or get it power coated and pros and cons. Thanks in advance.