Should I buy a new Tige?

[mongoose]

I am thinking of buying a new '05 Riders Edition 20V Tige, but I've been hearing a lot of mixed things about this boat.

What's up with the TAPS system? Tige regularly markets TAPS as one of the main things that sets Tige apart from the competition. But...I hear that the TAPS system isn't very reliable. Is this true, what gives???

Little problems...yes, I know that boats are a money pit. However, there should not be excessive problems with a brand new 60K dollar boat. Does Tige have a problem in this area?

Tige Vs. Nautique & Mastercraft. How do they compare? Is the extra $$ for Nautique & Mastercraft justified?

Bottom Line...I just want to buy a boat that doesn't give me headaches all of the time. I think that anybody that buys a 22' boat for 60K+ shouldn't have headaches all the time. Is Tige the right boat for me?

Thank you in advance for your honest and constructive feedback.

[joe8395]

I own a 2000 21i and have been headache free....small issues have come up and have been easily fixed....you will be getting a high end boat with a wake shaping device that is second to none.

I would suggest you feel out the dealer you are buying it from and make sure they are not going to be a source of any headaches for you. This board would be a good place to see if anybody has had problems with the dealership you are going to be using. Just my 2 cents.

[drgibson]

Keep in mind the nature of a board like this too. When you read the mesages here, all you read about are the problems people have with their boats. Nobody comes to this type of website and says "hey, I went to the lake and everything went right!!" Owners come here to resolve problems, give their opinions and lie about their wakeboarding skills.
All in all, my Tige has not given me any major problems, including the TAPS. It takes my abuse and keeps dishing out the fun. It's probably not the greatest ski boat in the world but it's a lot better ski boat than I am a skier. Something I realized several years ago is that when problems occur with something that efffects your fun time, it seems a lot bigger than life. If the boat won't start, it's an emergency. If the car won't start, it's "darn, I can't go to work today, I hate it when that happens. Guess I'll have to wax the boat instead."

[talltigeguy]

I've not heard of many problems with the Taps. The piston on the older models is hydraulic and electric on the new ones. Like any mechanical device, it can fail - But I rarely hear about it.

If you're spending 60K on a 20V then you're spending too much.

[talltigeguy]

To get more direct - You SHOULD buy a Tige! I am on my second one and have enjoyed it immensely.

[mongoose]

Originally posted by talltigeguy
I've not heard of many problems with the Taps.

I've read alot about the TAPS problem. Just do a google search and you'll find all kinds of stuff on this. I don't care about a few problems here and there. BUT...if the problems are widespread (i.e., if I have a good chance of experiencing the problem myself) then I have a problem with that. So...is the TAPS a real problem or not???

[tkuzma]

As Drgibson has mentioned earlier, for one problem on these posts their are probably 75-100 people who have no trouble. To answer your question, TAPS is pretty problem-free and the TAPS 2 system has been even more problem-free. I would not hesitate to buy a Tige again. Just for fun, as you mentioned, do a Google search on Malibu's Wedge and see what problems you find. Every boat company has problems, mainly because unlike auto makers, boats are built by hand, not an assembly line and they build far less that automobile makers.

[poohpotta]

mongoose - I would take joe8395 advice and feel out the dealer first, the dealer can make or break your expereince. My Tige dealer is stellar compared to the Mastercraft and Malibu dealer here in Nashville.

I looked at Malibu, Mastercraft and Tige. For the price nothing could beat the Tige. I have a 2004 22V Limited, got 40 hours on her and not one single mechanical problem. The TAPS2 system has performed flawless, and I have not experienced some of the problems I've heard on this board with the Vortec 5.7 335HP.

My problems are very minor, just a few fit and finish items. My dealer is making sure to take care of each of these items at the end of the season. I can't leave my boat at the dealer for a week for trivial problems!

[mongoose]

poohpotta - The main problem is that I am in Hawaii, and there is no Tige' dealership here. That is why I am so concerned with the reliability factor. I have had a Nautique in the past and have been able to handle all of the service/repair issues myself (all minor stuff - there is also no Nautique dealer in Hawaii).

So if I get a boat that requires constant dealer attention, and there is no dealer to take it to, I'm screwed!

I really appreciate everyones feedback. I look forward to more valuable advice.

Aloha!

[GIZMO]

Tige's are solid boats, but anything mechanical will need repaire sooner or later. Most major assembly problems will show up in first 10 to 20 hours. Tell your dealer to put some hours on it before they ship it. If they won't, buy it from the Arizona dealer and I'll put some hours on it

P.S. never had a problem with taps, and having trim adjustment is the only way to go.

[dogbert]

I bought mine new in '99 and have only ever had to replace the water pump (pretty normal when you suck debris into it) and the battery. The boat looks like new and runs flawlessly. Several friends have bought Tige's because they think my 21V is the best boat on our lake. The only thing I wished I had ordered with it was a tower, but 5 years ago, there weren't many around and who knew what my kids were going to do.

I say get the Tige!

[Brendan]

Tige are totally awesome

I have ordered a new 05 20V riders edition, this will be my 5th Tige since 2001. i have had a 20i riders, 2No. 21i and a Switch V I had a minor problem with one of the 21i TAPs systems and Tige had me a new unit in days. I live in the UK so I can't complain.
The 20V hull is excellent to ski behind and with the TAPs set gives a sweet wakeboard wake. I have gone for perfect pass and ballast tanks in my new one which is a first so i'm looking forward to it arriving should be in a few days.
So all in all I totally recommend a Tige 20V ( I have used them just never owned one myself before) but Tige give excellent reliability and if needed their back up is in my opinion second to none.

Go for it and enjoy.

[GIZMO]

Mongoose, Tige is taking several boats to Kauai in November for the wakeboard competition and my dealer says those are probably for sale. Shipping those boats cant be cheap. Maybe you can work a deal. Also if those boats are being used in competition you can bet all the bugs have been worked out.

Just an idea, GIZMO

[mongoose]

Well, I agree that it's a good thing that the boat will be used for a comp. No doubt they have gone through it with a fine tooth comb. The boat has the 6.0L Vortec and is fully loaded with all the options you can imagine. What do you think is a fair price for a slightly used '05 20V Riders Edition such as this?

[GIZMO]

My guess would be 45 to 50 k range, only a guess. They may be willing to deal. If they sell it they don't have to ship it back. You can call my dealer. They won't B.S. you, and they should be able to tell you what that boat's selling for. Talk to Kevin or Betsy 480-655-9055 (AZ time is three hours early).

Good luck, GIZMO