No TIGE Dealership or Service Dept in Florida !!??

[Ironrequiem]

So as it stands, at this time there is no longer a TIGE Dealership in the entire state of Florida!!??
Closest TIGE is Northern Georgia.
I am in Winter Haven (LEGOLAND) area and soon to be out of warranty period on 2015 R20. My TAPS gauge gauge has been out since 20 hour service and has been back 3 times for repair but still does not register. TAPS plate is operational but gauge does not register.
At my 150 hour service my hour meter is out. Fortes inboard was made aware of the 2 issues once I returned home and they stated they would come to me, 60 miles, and repair at dockside since I just left dealership and gauge is a continuous issue.

That was end of 2017 and Fortes Inboard retired Dealership license 1/2018.

Now what do loyal Florida TIGE OWNERS do???
Where do we go???
Will my TAPS gauge ever work again???

Wanted to consider trading up to RZX but where would I trade...where would I get warranty repair or general service??

HELP !!

[boardman74]

Dealers drop lines all the time... Dealers sell, they fold, any number of things. Happens all the time in the boat world.

For your repairs I would call the Factory directly and ask them what you need to do. They are gonna authorize someone local or tell you to drive, likely the later.

As to moving forward you have 2 options. You drive to where the dealer is or you switch brands. Pretty simple. I'm sure it goes without saying, but Tige isn't going to drop in a dealership to service your boat. I lived in Jax for years and for whatever reason Florida has a hard time maintaining towboat dealers, its not just Tige. I'd have a dealer one year and the next they would be gone.

[Ironrequiem]

I understand, not TIGE or Dealership bashing just curious to what others in same situation have done.
I have reached out to Tige, waiting to hear back from them as well.
Not sure if I would actually switch brands...I am pretty brand loyal at this point.
There is so much water/wakeboard/ wakesurf activity in Florida, especially Central Florida, but only a couple towboat, ski boat dealerships in entire state.

But I am definitely Tige loyal !!

[smoothtoup]

The one on North Ga is less than 1 mile from my house and they rock.

Not that it helps you though...

[bsreid]

I’m in a very similar situation to you. My Tige closest dealer is a full day driving away. What you need to realize is, besides from the Tige specific parts, Malibu, supra, and Moomba, are all running the same engines. So try and get a hold of your closest dealer, be straight up with them and see if they can send some parts to whichever dealer you think will be best. If all else fails contact Tige and see if they can work something out for you.

[TigeFamily]

My boat was originally bought at Transition Watersports in FL in March 2015....but I live in NC. At that time there was not a local Centurion dealer. After we got a local Centurion dealer, for reasons I wont get into, we did not get along. I love the local Tige dealer and we are friends, so long story short, Centurion authorized me to take my boat to the Tige dealer for Warranty work and service and its been that way for over a year.
I mention this cause I wonder if Tige would do the same thing for you? If you are brand loyal and about to buy a new boat, I would think they would go out of their way to keep your business and find a local dealer that can work on your boat.....

[chpthril]

Sad day for Tige, if Fortes is no longer carrying the line. They have been a Tige dealer for maybe a couple decades.

[freeheel4life]

It's unfortunate that you are stuck. I would do as others have mentioned and start by contacting Tige directly and see if they will authorize the work from another dealer.
Unfortunately we have customers that purchased Sangers from a dealer in North Idaho that bring their boats all the way to us as their purchasing dealer basically refuses some warranty work(we used to be a Sanger dealer and Sanger sends these upset customers to us). It is roughly a 7 hour tow one way for these poor customers.
This whole thing brings up an interesting point that ironrequiem brought up. My buddy that works at the Fineline dealer is always shopping/looking at job postings. A while back he sent me one for a Florida dealer seeking an experienced inboard/vdrive mechanic. They were offering a large starting bonus, high hourly, and full benefits. For a state surrounded by salt water we were both surprised to see the add. There must be lots of outboard techs and not a lot of inboard guys or something.
Good luck moving forward. Hopefully you get it sorted.

[bsreid]

Orlando is the wakeboarding capital of the word. Yes Yamaha rules the land, but there sure is a ton of Nautiques and Malibu’s. Tige just hasn’t caught on there.

[tri_slarson]

I'm Melbourne, I just purchased one of the last two boats Forte's had on their lot. They decided to get out of the boat business so they could concentrate on their car restoration business. They are great people, and parted ways with Tige on good terms.

I did speak with Tony Fussell and Robert Hoelscher about the lack of a Florida dealer. The assured me that they are working to find a Florida dealer.

As mentioned our closet dealer is in GA, Pull Watersports. Contact Jenny, they are great to work with, Tige had them handle my purchase and they came down to personally deliver my boat to me.

[Ironrequiem]

Yes, Fortes is focused on restoring classic cars now, I believe they were Tige for 14 years. Everyone there was super and ridiculously knowledgeable with Tige!! Super sad to see them go especially since the Tige reunions were held at the hotel right next to our house. Loved that!

Yes, for some reason outboards rule here in FL.
Not really sure why Tige is not a bigger contender here.
Maybe if they had a fishing boat line...ha ha.

We have a Malibu / Axis dealer in Orlando and in Sebring as well as a Nautique dealer in Orlando so hopefully one of those dealers will be willing to work with Tige for service and repair. If one would pick up the Tige line...even better.
I know I am not the only Tige owner in FL that is going to miss Forte's!

[KoolAid]

Any suggestions on dealerships in FL that you all would suggest to take on the Tige line?

[Ironrequiem]

There is an Action Water Sports coming into Polk City Florida next to Water Ski Hall of Fame Museum / USA Water Ski Foundation but the main product line is Master Craft.
When I spoke with Tige they basically said they will not carry the Tige line if they already have Master Craft.

I would think Nautique or Tommy's, both basically in Orlando would pick up Tige.
Transitions Watersports near Clermont FL carries Centurion and Malibu not sure if they would consider another line.

I am sure one will be authorized to do service and or warranty work.

[chpthril]

With correct craft owning centurion and supreme, i dont see a nautique dealer picking up tige.

with Cobalt's parent company in bed with Malibu, I dont see those dealers picking up another brand of tow boat.

[KoolAid]

With correct craft owning centurion and supreme, i dont see a nautique dealer picking up tige.

with Cobalt's parent company in bed with Malibu, I dont see those dealers picking up another brand of tow boat.

Exactly the situation.