Tige 20V vs MC X-2 & Malibu VTX

[maximus2003]

I'm in the market for a x-over boat. I've been shopping around and just sniffing out all the options out there. I'm leaning towards the Malibu VTX or the MC X-2, but want to explore what Tige has because of the obvious savings in price. Does anybody use the 20V for skiing & how is it? What about boarding? The guy at the boat show told me that ballasts are not really necessary on this boat, but want to know if that is true? What about surfing? How is the 20V for surfing? Anything feedback you can give me would be great. Thanks

[Tanner]

Well it depends how advanced you are. If your joe schmoe who boards once a month and aren't trying to pull anything real big, then you could get by w/o the ballast. If you really want your wake massive, then have your dealer install a Rival Ballast system. If you always have 8-9 friends with you, then no need for ballast once again. As for surfing ... your going to need ballast of some kind to drop the one side of the boat no matter what boat you have.

The 20V is great for skiing. The Taps lets you lay the wake totally flat.

[maximus2003]

Tanner. Thanks for the info. I take it they install the Ballast in the rear compartments on each side of the engine? Does this not take up most of the store room, for gear, in the boat? Or is there a different place to put the ballast that works better for surfing?

[Matt Garcia]

Tanner. Thanks for the info. I take it they install the Ballast in the rear compartments on each side of the engine? Does this not take up most of the store room, for gear, in the boat? Or is there a different place to put the ballast that works better for surfing?

You could also go with a bag system instead of hard tanks that way if your not using them you still have room for storage. Tiges are designed to be multisport towboats which is accomplished with TAPS.

But like Tanner said you will need weight for surfing and depending on your riding level you may eventually need sacks.

The best bet is to go out and demo each one and let the ride/handling speak for itself.

[af440]

I got an 06 20V for the same reasons as you, great crossover boat. I had a tournament ski boat before, the ski wakes aren't as good but are the BEST out there for a V-drive. Plus it still handles like a direct drive. Get a ballast system for boarding, the factory system has worked out great for me. The hard tanks in the back still leave plenty of space plus you can set stuff on them (like coolers) without it getting knocked over. The dealer may not want to but definitely check that option. Let me know if you need more info, I love my 20V and have nothing but good things to say.

[maximus2003]

af440, why would the dealer not want to install the factory tanks? Would it not mean more money for them?

[af440]

Tige is real big on the fact that their boats don't need ballast. I live in Abilene and was lucky enough to visit the factory a bit so I knew a lot about the options. I talked to a few dealers who were either not familiar with the ballast option or will try to steer you away from the factory ballast as a selling point.

[TigeMarines]

20V vs MC X-2

This past Sat morning I drove an X-2 and was seriously considering buying it b/c I liked everything about it. At noon, I drove a 20V and I could not believe how differently the two boats handled. If you haven't done so already, drive them both b/c I am willing to bet that your decison will be much easier to make.

[maximus2003]

Tigemarines, So what were the big differences you found between the X-2 and 20V? I've heard because Mastercraft has removed their stablilzer fins from the bottom of the boat, that they don't handle as well anymore? Did you find that to be true? Have you made up your mind, which way to go?

[Ks]

Maximus-

Since you posted pics of Allouette lake, you must be dealing with Jon @ Redline in Chilliwack ( local Tige dealer for Vancouver) We just went to Tige this year after looking at all the boats available in the local area.

Do what I did, and test as many as you can.. I did..... many times and always found the Tige's in general was a better boat hands down for our needs.

As others have said, they do handle much different then the other makes.

A couple things I really liked about the boats Redline puts out over the other tige dealers and or other boats:

-Samson Towers and speaker- Great looks and super easy speaker quick release mounting system.

- Each boat comes with a custom made sunbrella boat cover. ( this is my far the best cover for our wet coast, Redline includes them with all boats, where it is a option with the other dealers.

best of luck with what you decide to go with and we will see you on the lake

We have friends in Nelson, so will be their this summer along with a few trips to Maple Ridge to try our Allouette.

See you on the lake

[maximus2003]

Kscales, thanks for the heads up and info on the redline guys. We are going to be out testing a few boats in the next couple of weeks from the different brands. We pretty much have our mind made up on the tige at this point, but are going drive the '07 versions of the malibu and x-2 just to make sure. Have fun out there

[mtnsmith]

We didn't look at any malibus as they don't offer anything that would allow us to use our boat in salt water except a heat exchanger. Between the mastercraft (x-15) and the tige, the tige definately handles better and the cost savings and customer service and proximity of the tige dealership (5 miles away) sold us on the tige. We are exremely glad thus far. Mastercraft and Malibu are excellent boats, but just felt the tige would handle the rough channels here in the Tampa Bay area alot better, and so far have not been dissapointed. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

[Ks]

Actually I forgot to type what I was going to say about Redline... LOL
and it is worth saying....

The service, advise and patience Jon, Lori and the crew provided us was amazing... To be honest, any of the boats out right now are nice/great whatever you want to say about them, but it is a boat and things will go wrong from time to time, you have to consider the dealership when deciding on a boat.... I found Redline unmatched in service & knowledge and was a major reason why we decided to go with Tige.

They really went out of their way to make us happy with our purchase.

If you are interested in my take or opinions on any of the other dealerships, feel free to PM me, we met them all

Good luck..

[waterski88]

If you can't wake surf without ballast on a 20V, then you need training. We do it all summer long. 6'3'' guy to a 5'1'' girl.

[FIC]

One other very important item that everybody forgot to mention is tige gets the best fuel economy , its almost double .