looking at a 2000 21' riders edition

[TXST8tj]

hello all, new here. if all goes well with the "test drive" sunday (as we expect it will), my buddy will be picking up a 2000 21' Rider's Edition. i'm posting because my buddy does not get into the forums like i do. i come from the jeep world where message boards are some of the handiest tools out there. additionally, he looks to me for his motor vehicle and electronic needs (i'm a nerd in such departments), so i tag along for his purchases. not to mention i will probably be operating this boat as much as he will...he's paying the bill though.

anywho, we found the boat on craigslist. looks like a sweet deal. it's 7 years old, but only has had 1 owner, 163 hours, and has been professionally maintained, etc. here are the basics as the classified shows....(not sure if the actual owner is on this forum)

"Tige 21 foot inboard wakeboard/skiboat. Riders edition with updated 2004 Tige graphics, this boat is in like new condition. Custom trailer, wakeboard tower, TAPPS wake control system, MerCruiser 350-315hp engine. Teak deck, AM/FM CD stereo, ski rope and handle included. 150 hours, this Tige 21i has been kept in covered, locked dry storage since purchase -- 1 owner."

and a couple pictures....








so, like i was saying, we are meeting the owner at the lake on sunday to take it for a spin and check it out. for what they are asking, it seems like it will be a great purchase.

[da.bell]

That is some low hours on the boat. Looks good and welcome to tigeowners.com. You will find a lot of good stuff on here.

[spharis]

The big question is, what are they asking?

[chpthril]

Looks good and welcome ollllo

[NICKYPOO]

For the right price, that's a kickass boat. Best helm ever. EVER! With just a bit of ballast, it will kick up some pretty decent wake board wakes and with a bit more ballast and some knowhow on the driving and set up, it will produce some great surf wakes. Empty it out and you can run it through the slalom bouys. Take it out on some open water, and compaired to any other boat of that vintage, it will ride like it has a big fat suspention under it where as the rest are like riding in a race car. It's one the best all around boats you can find and its built like a tank.

First things first though. The tower. Gotta go. Even though the boat has extremely low hours (my 2000 has just under 400), that tower is legendary crap. Built by Metcraft originaly it has become known as the Metcrap. In all fairness, towers on boats at that time where a pretty new concept and all sorts of thing were being tried. This one is a failer. It's gonna shake, rattle and roll all day long. Many have broken, but that's from some heavy use. They will fail sooner or later though. It's best to replace it. You could probably get away with it for a season, but I would use this piece of info in your negotiations. There is a kickass boat under that tower, so look beyond the tower itself.

Let us know how the test drive goes and good call to check the forums.

[TXST8tj]

they are asking $23k. NADA puts it around $19k, so i imagine the seller is going somewhat off of the low hours.
i have just started trying to research ballast systems. not sure exactly what all this boat has in that department, but we shall see this weekend.
good to know about the tower. it's something i will pass along to my buddy. what are some good aftermarket models to look into as a replacement?
not sure what the stereo setup is in this boat.....cd player and 4 speakers from what i gather. will probably need to do some modifications to that.

he likes taking me along because i ask all the questions. speaking of which, what are some specific questions you guys can think of that you would ask if you were looking to buy this boat?

[da.bell]

1) Service records
2) Where the boat was stored?
3) What was the main purpose of the boat?
4) Boat was used for: Wakeboarding or tubing mostly
5) How much weight were the adding to the boat.

Things like that to start with. I am sure you find other questions also.

[NICKYPOO]

23k seams a bit high, but it does look to be in good shape. I'd try for the 19k and hopefully get it for 20k. Gonna need some cash for a new tower. I would look at Xplosion, Samson, Monster, Titan, in that order. Expect to spend 2k on something reasonable and up to 4k for the dope stupid fly pimp chit. It appears to have the factory speakers in there. Gotta go. You can get 4 - 6 1/2" polk db's for around $120-$130 that sound great are marine rated and will fit right into the factory holes. A good head unit with a couple of pre-outs and iPod controll can be found for around $200. Sub and an amp to push it for another $300-$400. So 3k off asking price will cover you for a new tower and stereo.

B.reak
O.ut
A.nother
T.housand

[NICKYPOO]

1) Service records
2) Where the boat was stored?
3) What was the main purpose of the boat?
4) Boat was used for: Wakeboarding or tubing mostly
5) How much weight were the adding to the boat.

Things like that to start with. I am sure you find other questions also.

Oh yeah, what he said.

How far was it towed when it was towed? Teak looks like it could use some help, but that's fairly easy.

[sooner25]

Definitely going to have to get a new tower. Use that as a negotiation tactic. My boat only had around 140 hrs. when the Metcrap broke.

[da.bell]

6) Was it towed with the cover?

[TXST8tj]

thanks...that's a good start.

up to this point we had been looking at new matercrafts, so service records and such have not been an issue.

we are both mainly ski kinda people, but that is just because we have not tried wakboarding to this point. however, that is something we want to play with. the Tige seems like a good boat to accommodate both sports.

[da.bell]

FYI, we all hate Tige and own one because we can.... he he he

Actually, you will be happy with one. Everyone is bias here and the only arguement that you will get is which model is better.... (DON'T START GUYS!!!!!)

[da.bell]

Check this out. Not sure if it is good but others here might be able to tell you..... http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/317469083.html

[chpthril]

Dont forget to check out the trailer real good as well. Low hour boat can mean low mileage trailer which can = dry-rot tires, frozen brakes, dry seals, lack of lube on bearings.