22V

[kn2136]

I'm returning to boating after ten years. Although my main interest is family enjoyment with a boat I was wonder if someone could give me the pros and cons of buying a Tig'e as opposed to a regular bow rider.

[smendez]

I think that all depends on your needs.

We purchased our first boat almost 8 years ago. It was a Monterey Montura 186. It was an I/O V6. The kids were so little they were afraid of tubing. It was a great boat for us and we had many great times with it. I have absolutely no regrets about that purchase.

After 7 years, we outgrew the Monterey. The kids are bigger, and much more capable - They're serious about wakeboarding and skiing and we desperately needed more room. In the fall of 2003 we purchase a 22V. It renewed our interest in being in the water - together as a family.

In my opinion, if your interests lie in going to the lake, giving someone a ride in a tube, beaching the boat on the sand to bbq, and occasionally pulling a skier or wakeboarder, an I/O bowrider may work well for you. If you're more serious about wakeboarding or skiing, if you have learned or want to learn about the intricacies of a great sports wake, if you want a boat that handles like a fine sports car, then you're ready for a Tige'! - And you can still pull the tube and go to the beach and bbq

Good luck in your future purchase.

Saulo

[EZ-DZ]

22V

You've got kids ?? I'll tell you why to buy the Tige . . . take a good look at an I/O bowrider and see where that big metal propeller is -- its turning 4,000 rpm right smack in the middle of the swim platform.

I won't let my kids do any watersports on any I/O. It only takes a split second and you've got a mess in the water.

Now, take a look at the Tige with the prop tucked way up in front of the rudder and underneath the hull -- no where near the swim platform. If that isn't a thousand times safer than an I/O, I don't know what is . . .

And if you think safety's not an issue 'cause your kids are older, just remember they're probably a little inexperienced behind the wheel so if they're out with their friends in the 22V the whole gang is much safer.

Mikey

[poohpotta]

I started out in a Larson 180SEi when the children were smaller, it was a great boat for tubing and the occasional ski session. As with smendez our children were getting more serious about wake boarding, knee boarding and wake surfing so it was time to look for a serious boat.

We looked at the Mastercraft, Tige, and Malibu. The Mastercraft was pretty much out from the beginning mostly due to price. I also went to the dealer on several occasions and never really appreciated they way I was treated, almost as if they could care less that I purchased a boat from them.

The decision boiled us was between a Malibu VLX and the Tige 22V. Both were excellent boats and priced closely to each other. In the end we choose the Tige because of size, storage space, overall appearance and dealer/dealer location. I'm going on my second season with the boat and I could not be any happier with my decision.

[raythompson]

Re: 22V

Originally posted by EZ-DZ
You've got kids ?? I'll tell you why to buy the Tige . . . take a good look at an I/O bowrider and see where that big metal propeller is -- its turning 4,000 rpm right smack in the middle of the swim platform.

I don't really see that as a problem. Water sports are generally behind the boat and if the water sporter tumbles they should not come in contact with the boat.

Regardless of the type of propeller propulsion system on a boat, anytime that someone is on or near the swim platform the engine is off, no exceptions. Even when approaching downed water sporters I also approach along the side of the boat and when the front of the boat reaches the person the engine is turned off.

It would not take much to get a leg kick and have a foot get snaggled by a rotating propeller.

This is basic safety and has nothing to do with the type of propulsion system.

[Matt Garcia]

Ray, do you do any wakesurfing?

[raythompson]

Re: 22V

Originally posted by kn2136
I'm returning to boating after ten years. Although my main interest is family enjoyment with a boat I was wonder if someone could give me the pros and cons of buying a Tig'e as opposed to a regular bow rider.

Well, I just purchased my 22V and the boat should be manufactured in a couple of months.

I have been in a bowrider with sterndrive for 20+ years. It was an excellent boat and I really did not want to part with the boat.

I just did a test ride yesterday in a 22V and it was impressive.

The boat seemed more solid on the water and that may have to with the increased weight. The boat was quieter than any others that I have test driven, even a Cobalt.

Turning is much different. The bow rider banked into the turns, the TIGE is almost flat and it is an odd sensation to me. You have side forces that I did not have in my deep V. This is not unique to TIGE as any tow boat with a fairly flat hull will have the same properties. Overall turning is very impressive and responsive with the TIGE.

Backing the boat is not easy as the boat just backs, you cannot steer the boat much, if at all, when backing. Knowing this and making adjustments in my driving and docking habits this backing oddity should not be a problem. This is not unique to TIGE but is a characteristic of all inboards with props under the hull and the use of a rudder.

The TIGE was responsive and really drives nice. Low speed control was very good, high speed control was solid.

The TAPS2 system allowed me to adjust the ride much as the trim on my older boat. The wake did exhibit more change than my V boat.

When TAPS2 is fully down (bow down) the wake was extremely flat. When TAPS2 was full up (bow up) the curl on the wake was much larger than my V boat.

The 22V does have more power (140hp vs 340hp) and that does make a difference in performance. The acceleration was excellent and the top end was OK as I don't boat for speed.

I did create some rollers on the water and then drove the 22V through the rollers to see how it reacted. The ride was smoother than I thought although not quite as good as my deep V. That was to be expected, but the ride was still very good.

On my demo the Perfect Pass system was borked (sensor damaged) and would not properly register the speed so I did not get a good demo of that system. I have talked with others with the system and they all say it is an excellent system.

I did like the guages on the 22V with the included depth guage. You also get water and air temperature which to me are of dubious value. I can tell when the air is hot or cold and the water is hot or cold. But it does show that TIGE did fully instrument the boat. What I would have liked added is a water pressure indicator for the cooling system so that you know that you have adequate water flow for cooling.

The warranty on the hull is unique in the industry. If the hull ever has a manufacturing defect the boat will be replaced, not repaired, but replaced. The instruments are also warranted for 10 years regardless of ownership, or for as long as the original owner owns the boat. In my case I could have a 20+ year warranty on the instruments.

There is tremendous storage on the boat and you can keep the storage as you do not need water bags to get good wakes.

I banged all over the hull and did not find any places that seemed weak or flexed. It was all very solid.

The courtesy lights are all LED so you do not have to worry about bulbs.

There is a transmission warning light to warn of lubrication problems in the transmission.

Last but not least is this long message is the capability to order the boat with the colors and options that you want. Talking to others made me rethink my options and I think I have a good combination.

I will be using the TIGE 22V mostly for cruising with some wakeboarding and skiing. I felt that it was the one boat with the proper cockpit configuration to suit both of these needs very well. It may not be the best in each category, but it is very close. And that is difficult to accomplish with any stern drive.

I think I will be very happy with my boat when it finally arrives.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by Matt Garcia
Ray, do you do any wakesurfing?

No. And even if I did I would not think I would be that close to a spinning propeller on any boat.

On the TIGE it seemed that the best part of the wake for wake surfing was several feet behind the boat. Any fall and the surfer would not be close to the boat.

I would not get any closer than 10-12 feet to any spinning propeller. If people are that close to the boat the engine needs to be off. It is just not worth the risk.