1997 Tige'...good deal?

[bamaboy]

I am currently looking for a used boat, and have been contemplating between I/O vs inboard. I tend to favor the inboard, but newer inboard ski/wakeboard boats don't fit into the budget. I may have a chance to purchase a 1997 Tige' 20ft boat with only 120 hrs on it. It has the 350 v8 that is said to run great. It comes with the fly high pylon, board rack and original trailer. I have seen pictures of the boat and it looks to be in good shape. I know I would have to have it checked out and go test it in the water, but I just wanted to get an idea of what they are going for. I think it would cost me 10-11k. Also, what yearly service would the boat require? Thanks for your time...

Zach

[spharis]

Depends on some more options. Is it open bow? I would ballpark more in the 14k range if it is in ok shape and needing a little love. Up to 18k if it is in impeccable condition.

[bamaboy]

Yes, it is an open bow. Thanks for the reply

[spharis]

My boat was in pretty bad shape. It had ripped vinyl all over, wiring was bad, the teak looked unsalvagable, and the gelcoat was getting pretty bad. I paid way less than 14k for it in that shape, and have put well over that much work back into it. However I could sell it today and turn about 4k after my expenses on it. I would probably list it at 18 and let them talk me down.

There was a 97 on ebay that just sold I was watching that looked to be a good project boat. It needed a little glass and gel work, engine work, wiring for sure, and some vinyl....looked like it sat in the weather so a restore would be in order; after that it would be a great ride. I think the bidding went to $9100 on it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...4996&rd=1&rd=1

I wouldn't give over 10 for that one based on the pictures.

Do you have any pictures of the one you are looking?

[talltigeguy]

120 hours is only 12 hours per year or so. It would be human nature to not take very good care of a machine that only returned 12 hours of love per year. Boats always require a lot of maintenance. So what I am saying is that it almost has too few hours. Maybe that is a new engine?

[spharis]

I'm betting the hour meter was changed. The VDOs were a common change during the first few years. Mine was changed, and I have read numerous times that they were changed once sometimes twice. The owner either doesn't know it was changed, or is trying to dupe you. It is too hard to get behind the dash to see if the readings from the meter are marked. Mine were marked on the one I pulled.

[TeamAllen]

My 97 has an ECM onboard and it is my understanding a mechanic can check the hours through that.

[spharis]

Marine Power = no ecm. It's like working on a 68 Camaro.

[TeamAllen]

How do you know it is a Marine Power? All he said was it has a, "350 V8."

[spharis]

I don't......

[dogbert]

My guess is that it's a 350 Mag Mercruiser Tournament. The didn't offer Marine Power back then. When I bought my boat my options were the 350 MPI (315 HP) or the Black Scorpion (330 HP). I couldn't see paying $8K for an extra 15 horses. It should have an ECM, but you could look that up on the Mercury parts site.

[spharis]

I have Marine Power on a 97, but yeah it probably is a Merc. Either way, was the ECM being used on all engines 97? I didn't think that came into play until 2000-ish before TeamAllen's post. I still say the represented hours are incorrect and that meter has been replaced.

[capitalgain]

I am currently looking for a used boat, and have been contemplating between I/O vs inboard. I tend to favor the inboard, but newer inboard ski/wakeboard boats don't fit into the budget. I may have a chance to purchase a 1997 Tige' 20ft boat with only 120 hrs on it. It has the 350 v8 that is said to run great. It comes with the fly high pylon, board rack and original trailer. I have seen pictures of the boat and it looks to be in good shape. I know I would have to have it checked out and go test it in the water, but I just wanted to get an idea of what they are going for. I think it would cost me 10-11k. Also, what yearly service would the boat require? Thanks for your time...

Zach

At the end of last summer, I bought a 1999 PRE2002WT with about 115 hours (listing was on EBAY). The seller bought it new and it was in great condition. He hadn't had any problems with it and had changed the oil regularly...he was honest about everything. I bought it for $16,500 which was a fair (not great) price. Now for the bad...

By Christmas last year, it had broken down 4 times and we had only gone out 3 times (once was in the yard). Some of the repairs had to do with lack of maintenance - changing the fuel filter, putting fuel conditioner in regularly, and replacing the raw water impeller - and some were not - replace the rotor/sensor wheel and replacing the ECM (that sucked). My point in mentioning this is that you NEED to research some of the problems these older boats have and go into the negotiations armed with this info. I've been boating all my life but have always had outboards; consequently, I had no idea what to look for or what to ask about. I thought since he changed the oil regularly, there would be no problems. (Raw water pump? What the heck is that?) Hopefully, you know more about these boats than I did.

I love the boat and would buy it again today if I were in the market. However, I would set my expectations lower (and repair budget higher) based on what I now know.

[jleger98]

One thing to definately look for is maintainance records. when I bought mine, the guy gave me all the records (of course he didn't do any of it himself so that helped). If the guy claims he's done it all himself, ask him specific questions, like where is the raw water impellar, where is the oil drain....you should be able to get a decent feel for if he is BS'ing you or not.

Then make sure to drive the boat well, not just a putter around the bay. Be there when its started cold. Look for oil leaks. how clean is the engine? How do the fluids look? Look at it like buying a used car. The more closely you look the happier you will be. Most of all, be ready to walk away if you need to.

All that said, I love mine, it has a great wake, great power, I am completely happy with my purchase, almost 1 year after the fact.

[my86stanggt]

I have a '97 too. It's been a great boat and I only have 244hrs. I bought it from the orignal owner and he kept it at his lake house so it didn't see alot of use. Mine has the Black Scorpion engine but the panel on the ECM says 315hp not 330hp.