24V Dissappointing after first trip

[Original Wing Nut]

I just got back from my first trip with my new 24V. I put it in the water and didn't even get to the dock to pick up my wife before my feet were wet from water pouring out from the heater core. I put it on the trailer and called my dealer, then headed to town to bypass the heater. It would have been nice to have the heater since the first day air temp barely hit 60 and water was 63. We moved on to try to enjoy the rest of our trip. A few hours later we were back on the water and my daughter loaded a cd into the stereo to find that it was all jacked up. Oh well we'll get that fixed too. We had a great time testing all the new toys and thought we were through with grief, then my son says, what is that gurgling noise? Well now, we discovered that the Vdrive is leaking when we are under way and it is a pretty major leak. The bilge will handle it until we can get it fixed. You would think that would be enough bumps with a new boat, but no! We were on the lake about six hours and headed for the trailer, just before pulling out I looked at the gas gauge and still had almost 3/4 of a tank, that was with the boat at rest. The second day we were only going to play for couple hours so I did not top off the boat, not wanting to haul the extra gas back home(400 miles). Well now you know where I am going. With the boat sitting at rest at lunch the gauge showed just under half a tank. I decided to take one more turn and then head back for the trailer. In the middle of the run, yep out of gas with the gauge still on a 1/4 of a tank. I called and the park service came two hours later and gave me 5 gallons. The 5 gallons took the gauge almost to 1/2 a tank. We headed for the marina about 25 minutes away. Well at 2800 rpm the 24V will only go about 20 minutes or just outside the marina. Yes, we were rescued again. When you pay 50 grand plus for a boat you would think you could get a gas gauge that was some what close. Just when you thought I was done griping well here is some more. My stearing wheel is about a 120 degrees from being straight. The real kicker is that I met a neighbor that was just breaking in his new Mastercraft X45, his throws a nicer wakesurf wake, I was ensured by two different salesman that the 24V needed no ballast. Well I have a family of four and when it is just us, you do need a ballast system to get a comprable wake to at least an X45. I realize this one is my fault, but I hate it when stupid hurts. Well enough crying for now, after getting off the lake 4 hours late and driving 7 hours to get home at 2:00 am. I was at the boat store an hour from my house this morning at 9:00 am. They say they will get it right. I hope so because I really want the boat I had been dreaming about.

[talltigeguy]

Alright, I'll chime in on a few points. So far 19 people have read your post and no one has responded.

1. I feel bad for you having a miserable experience on your maiden voyage, when most of us have enjoyed ourselves immensely.

2. Your dealer has seriously screwed up and owes you an apology (and maybe some free gear?) Several of the things you had go wrong could have easily been fixed had the boat been adequately checked out before you bought it. Bad Stereo, leaky heater, VERY WEAK.

3. I may defend Tige a little bit here, but don't take it personally. I've never been in a boat with an accurate gas guage. After six hours on the lake, you should fill up. I get about 7 gallons per hour while wakeboarding. 7 x 6 = 42 (the capacity of your tank). The X45 has a 90 gallon gas tank!

4. Did you test drive an X-45? Your neighbor likely paid 20K more than you did. An X-30 might be a better comparison. I noticed the specs quote an 18 passenger capacity and only an 8'6" beam. I'm sure it plows more water than the 24V to create a huge wakesurfing wake. The 24V wakeboarding wake is very competitive, without ballast, IMHO. You were mislead if they told you most people surf without ballast, however.

I hope your dealer gets you squared away quickly. Every boat has issues similar to this that need to be worked out. I wouldn't recomend to anyone to take their first trip to the lake 400 miles away.

[smendez]

Origi....:

I completely agree with talltigeguy, I really think that most of these issues should have been resolved by the dealer while doing their in-water test. The stereo, water in the bilge, the heater core, the steering wheel - No excuse there.

When you get your boat back, grab the dealer and go to the water with them. Start making a list now of what should be checked and don't let them go home until it's all in perfect order. They owe you that.

And lastly, get yourself a fuel meter. That's been a hot issue and it doesn't seem to be getting closer to a resolution today than it did a year ago.

Best of luck your next time out (and all other times after that!)

Saulo

[Matt Garcia]

Original,

I agree with TallTigeGuy, specifically numbers 3 and 4.

The gas gauges on all of the wakeboard boats I have been on have never been accurate. Just use the formula that TallTigeGuy posted and you should be safe, or look in to the fuel flow meter found here ( http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=73&highlight=fuel+flow+meter ) it also explains a little bit about the inaccuracy of the fuel gauge.

The X45 is going to be a bigger boat weight wise and length wise so you must compare apples to apples. A better comparison would be the X30.

I have surfed a 22V with no weight and only two people in the boat, but IMO you must know what you are doing and have a bigger board,otherwise it would be challenging. With weight in the boat it is a lot easier to surf and feel out the wave to know when to drop the handle. However, the 24V puts out a huuuge wave when weighted down, it is my favorite wake surf wakes.

Like Saulo said these issues should be resolved by your dealer.

Good luck!

[raythompson]

That is why the dealer should do a lake test and then you should go out with the dealer onto the lake before you actually take delivery. Use the boat for an hour, check everything, water in the bilge, steering position, stop the boat and restart several times in the water, run the TAPS in and out multiple times, check every light on the boat, check all the guages, check under all the seats, check for vibration at all throttle settings, inspect the engine for leaks, run through wakes and listen for rattles. Basically be very petty with everything. Do this with the dealer in the boat and note everything that is not right.

I would do this all again after the dealer takes care of the problems that you have encountered.

As for the gas gauge, join the crowd. My gauge also does not appear to to work although I have never gotten below half a tank the guage has yet to move. Tige needs to install a fuel flow meter as standard equipment because the gauge is doing little more than taking up space in the dash.

[Hoots]

Sorry for the bad first experience. I can imagine your frustration and I hope your dealer is responsive to your needs. The folks on this site have been a great resource for working out issues and getting advice for dealing with the factory and dealers.

For the fuel gauge issue, I'd definitely recommend a fuel flow meter on any boat. Good luck.

[Original Wing Nut]

I appreciate all the advice. I also want to rebut a few things. I was ensured by my dealer that all things had been checked and that going the 400 miles to Lake Mead would be no problem the first time out. Of course this was when I had called him to go to the lake with me last week so that I was comfortable with how everything worked. First time for me with a v drive and alot of other things I had included on this boat. My comment on the X45 was not that I didn't realize what he paid for his boat, I know they are considerably overpriced and it is marketing that sells their boats. I was just a little dissappointed in my wake. I ordered every option that was reccomended, I would have ordered the ballast system had it been reccomended when I was just out with my wife and 2 kids. That is why I stated stupid hurts, I know ignorace is no excuse. The fuel gauge issue is a real Tige' issue. There are engineers that have gone to school to figure this stuff out and I'm sure Tige' has several of them on their payroll. In my opinion assign one of them to get the issue fixed if they can't, replace them with someone who can. It also is probably Tige' just taking the cheap way out, if that is it offer a computer management system similar to cars. I have one in both cars. I also have an air management sytem for scuba diving and it was a couple hundred bucks and it is wireless. I went to the thread about fuel flow meters. If it is that big an issue several things must be done.

1- Dealer must let new owners know.
2- Manufacturer needs to fix the problem.
3- Lastly at least offer a fuel flow meter option. (I will have one installed) before hitting the lake again.

Once again ignorance is no excuse, but I was told these boats were extremely efficient and could go 10 to 12 hours on a tank. That is why I was told it did not need the 75 gallon tank that was on the Supra that was my next choice. I would like a bigger tank, are the any options?

Lastly I think Tige' has a good product and has some leading edge technology. That is why I bought one. Like said in other posts I have friends with Malibu's Sunsetter and Wakesetter, Master Craft X30 and X45, and others. I was sure the Tige' would out shine the others that is why I have the boat I do. I hope all issues get resolved quickly and I can get onto bragging up my boat, but for now there hasn't been much to brag about. I do have a trip to Lake Powell planned in July with the 2 malibu's and the X30. I think the Tige' will be the tow boat of choice. All the issues I'm having now should be long in the past by then.

[talltigeguy]

I think when you go to Powell, you will have the towboat of choice once they feel their cramped, overpriced rough riding boats.

I didn't quite understand, you called for a trip to the lake with the dealer and he told you it wasn't necessary? The sour taste left in your mouth should remind them that it IS necessary, because of how unsatisfying (how's that for an understatement?) your first trip was. I wonder if they are too busy to give that service. I think they need to step up big time, or you'll seriously have to consider another dealer next time. Dealer support has to weigh in on your decision of what boat to buy. How does this thread sound to someone who reads it who is investigating Tige? Having said that, I know there are very similar threads on the owners' sites for Malibu, etc...

Between lunch breaks, idling time, etc. I'm usually able to go from sunup to sundown without refueling my boat. Which engine do you have? I've seriously considered a fuel flow meter myself, but have heard there can be glitches with them as well.

[Original Wing Nut]

I have a 330 PCM Excalibur. I would like to have a boat that would go sun up to sun down on a single tank, that is not the case with the combo I have. I researched and spent much time on buying a boat, I thought Tige' was the best choice. I called my dealer 2 weeks before my trip and tried to set a trip to the lake. I gave them 4 different days I would be available. They gave me the Thrusday before I left as a choice, then called and said the boat would be fine because they had checked it out thouroughly (sp). I have since found that they had sold another boat and were delivering it to the new owners when I had arranged for my lake demonstration. I am afraid that the set up on my boat was extremely rushed. I had ordered it in October and when it came in December they did not want to unwrap it and deliver it. They wanted me to come and pay for it, but as far as seeing or delivering it. They were having some grand unveiling party for the 05's and they wanted to wait for that. I waited until the day of their big 05 party and went in to meet Charley Pidgeon (CEO or Owner of Tige') and some of the other Tige' people. When I went in I discovered the event was not that big a deal, no Charley Pidgeon only a service tech from the factory. Anyway they delivered the boat to me that day. They must have rushed getting it ready because they also unwrapped and prepped numerous other boats that day. I hope they get it right the second time around. Is there a bigger fuel tank option????

[Tige M.D.]

when you filled up your tank the first time, how many gallons did it take? just thinking that maybe the gas pump clicked off early or something.

that's b.s. that they cancelled your on water delivery. every boat should go to the water with the new owner and dealer rep. i have never seen a boat come to use that didn't need some sort of adj. and then to send you 400 miles on your shake down trip, what were they thinking?

i honestly hope this all works out for you. as for the larger fuel tank, i think your out of luck. look at it this way, you would use even more gas with the ballist system;)

[Original Wing Nut]

When we filled up the first time it took 35 gallons and came out the vent so I'm pretty sure we were full. I just can't believe with the technology available these days that we can't have a gauge that works.

[Matt Garcia]

The fuel gauge issue is a real Tige' issue. There are engineers that have gone to school to figure this stuff out and I'm sure Tige' has several of them on their payroll. In my opinion assign one of them to get the issue fixed if they can't, replace them with someone who can. It also is probably Tige' just taking the cheap way out, if that is it offer a computer management system similar to cars. I have one in both cars.

I wouldnt say that its a Tige issue but just maybe a general inboard boat issue. I have been in all the major wakeboard boats (Mastercraft, Corect Craft, Malibu, Supra, Moomba and even Toyota) and the all have the same in accurate gas gauge display.

But I do agree that it should be an issue that should be resolved. That is one gripe I have about wakeboard boats. The only real accurate way to tell is when you are at a stand still.

[Original Wing Nut]

My gauge read 1/4 tank and I was dead in the water for over two hours. I don't know how to get more still you can get. When I put five gallons in it went to 7/16 of a tank or almost touching the 1/2 mark. If my math is close it should have 22 gallons or so at half a tank.

[talltigeguy]

My gas guage seems to err on the other side of things. It often will be going between 1/4 and 1/2 when I've only used 15 gallons or so. Fortunately, I've never ran it to all empty to see what it looks like then.

I have the GM Vortec engine. Is the PCM more of a gas guzzler?

[Beau McCrory]

well, I hate to sound like an echo, but here goes... TIGE' is my second inboard (the first was Moomba) and I feel your frustration. I learned about the gas readings the hard way.... Lake PK after dark in July with a boat that won't start and a 1/2 tank showing on the meter! Lucky for me the BRA boys found us, but it is 1500+ strokes of the paddle just to get back to Hell's Gate from the first curve!!!

Fuel meter is the best way I've heard of; but the formula does work.

Look, you were sold down the river on the performance, efficiency, and service from your dealer. Consider reporting the dealer directly to TIGE', Inc. if you're still unsatisfied....

[cmb22V]

When are you going to Powell? We will be there the week of the 4th... Dragging the 24v out frmo Atlanta... a friend from Denver is bringing his MC.

[Original Wing Nut]

I'll be at Powell, Wahweep area June 27th to July 1. Then again July July 18th to 21st the Bullfrog area. We will be going again in August just don't know when or where yet. We will also be going in Oct to either Powell or Mead. I own a restaurant and my week-end is monday thru thursday or friday, just depending on the week. I also have a construction company, so don't go thinking I have that week-end all the time, most weeks are six day work weeks with lots of hours with one or the other companies.

Now on to the update, I was very happy to hear a friendly voice the other day. The salesman that sold me my boat is back on staff, his other job wasn't as good as selling boats, I guess. Anyway he is back and I think my boat is getting the attention it needs. Like I said before this guy knows how to give service. He has just ordered all new stuff for anything that was wrong, not messing with fixing bad gear, no band-aids. He ordered a new Fuel sender to hopefully correct the Fuel gauge prob. He is also working the owner and Tige' over to get them to install a fuel flow meter, at no cost to me for the grief. He is working on trying to get the Farai gauge that will tell engine hours, water temp, air temp and fuel info. He is going to bat and I think he will hit a homer. He will take me for a lake trial of the new stuff next week and make sure that my boat is the boat he sold me. So far there is no solution for the small gas tank, from them. I have buddy that owns a stainless fab business and I have talked to him about making an addition fuel tank system to extend the fuel range. The only embarrassing part is he is a X-30 owner. Hopefully other than fuel cappacity, when we are at Powell he'll see my boat outperform his. Well that's about it for now. I'll keep posting as I know more.

[EZ-DZ]

Dude -- after all the small items are corrected by your dealer (which should have been corrected BEFORE delivery to you), you'll really be proud of your Tige. . . . Wait 'till you MC friends trade rides -- they'll be real surprised by how quiet your entire drivetrain is. MC uses a cheesy aluminum hurth v-drive that sounds like its got marbles in it, especially in reverse. Your Tige has all the premium equipment and you paid less than for the MC. Tige puts its dollars into its top grade components, not marketing . . .

Hope you love your new boat !!

[Tequilasun]

Glad things are looking up. With all the talk on here about the Fuel gauge problems, I would be extremely disapointed if Tige did not address it in the near future.

On a side note:

Everyone Check our Original Wing Nut's custom cover in his gallery. It rocks.

[blondejosh]

:( :( :(
I have to say that I have had a similar experience of being disappointed with my tige.
We have has numerous problems To many to list them all here, Steering set up badly and taking out the propeller! Fuel vent incorrectly fitted so raw fuel vents out the side of the boat, MANY examples of the WORSE workmanship I have ever seen on a boat (not what you expect on a boat of this "quality") and of course we still don’t have a fuel gauge that can tell me if I have any fuel in the tank unless it’s totally full. (this is not a problem with boat moving around is the fact that I haven’t been sent a suitable fuel sender!)

I expected a few problems with a new boat, but they should be resolved quickly, I have had mine 4 months and despite my best efforts I am still waiting for the correct parts.
We have had so many problem that our dealer has quit the dealership ( not that he was doing Tige any favours due to his own disorganisation).

We thought that his resigning would allow us to get some progress and a boat to be proud off. But I sadly I'm still waiting, an I have found no joy in correspondence with anyone except Tige M.D. but due to my boat being manufactured in Australia he was unable to assist me!
I thought I was buying a Tige boat from “Tige” funny that!

I think it is about time that Tige took a look at this situation as took action to rectify it.

Thankfully being a engineer myself I have been able to fix a lot of the problems myself otherwise I would have asked for my money back!

It is a shame that a design that has the ability to out perform many other boats is let down by simple quality control and after sales service.

[Tige M.D.]

if it has come down to having to fix your own boat, let me know what you are working on and i will try to walk you through any questions you have. i hope the australian tige is built the same as the u.s. tige? if you take a picture of the fuel sender and post it, i want to know if it is the same as ours.

[blondejosh]

We Have been Waiting for our fuel sender, Without parts I cannot fix anything, He (Adam) of tige Austrialia will not even acknowledge our emails. I can see how our dealer has given up.

I think that it is most insulting to expect customers of BRAND NEW boats to fix them themselves. Firstly there should not be anything to fix!! Also If there is it should be dealt with quickly, It has been 4 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! and many many many phone calls and emails with little achieved.

3 weeks have passed since our NZ dealer has given up, so it proves that the problem was with tige!!!

We cannot source the correct fuel guage in this country, otherwise I would have fitted it.

If I could find anyone at TIGE that actually cared about my custom and my boat, I would not be having to try and get reasults via a public website!

I think is it long over due that tige, contacted me and did something to put things right.
And do something to apologise for the complete failure to deliver on their at least some of the promises of quality and service that they talk about in there promotional DVD and brochures.

[Original Wing Nut]

I was reading blondjosh post and thought that I should give an update, since I started this. I have my boat back. Major items have been fixed or replaced. No leaks and the stereo works. I was dissappointed in several issues that still have not been resolved. The Fuel sender was replaced but as we all know they don't work. My salesman said he had been working with Tige' to get me an 06 fuel sender, supposedly they work better from what Tige' is saying. He is now skirting the issue on the fuel flow meter. I would be willing to pay for the Navman and have them istall it, but haven't heard anything on that. The steering is still off. When the v drive was leaking it stained the carpet in the lockers. I was assured they would clean it. No not done. Another thing that is just a little thing that ticked me off was they said they would store my boat inside while it was there. If you've been following Ut wheather it's been doing nothing but raining and snowing. When I picked up my boat it had stains on the cover and had been stretched from the water puddling on it. I have a huge garage to store this boat in and will only be transporting in the rain if ever other than that I don't see the cover ever sitting in the rain. I know eventually it would have happened, but I didn't think at the dealership that has a 10 acre building they said they would store it in. The other thing is after you service a boat get out the vac and clean up your mess. I had a friend ask me if I would buy Tige' again, he owns a I/O. I told him when he asked me, which was in the middle of this I would sell it if I could get what I paid minus cover and taxes. I don't know what I would do if the chance came today, but the sad thing is I would think about it. I wish I lived closer to Tige' MD I think that guy has it all figured out. Thanks for all you do for the Tige' name MD.

[Gardyloo03]

I feel both of you pains many of the exact same problems and still waiting thats all i will say im so tired of having to fix my tige. Blondejosh you hit the nail on the head with the design and customer service comment.

[Brutul]

I have heard nothing but good things about Tige' MD. I am in the process of buying my 21I from the Corona store so it looks like I am in good hands.

[Original Wing Nut]

I have my boat ready to roll for the summer finally. I had made an appointment more than a monthe ago to get a new fuel sending unit installed, and some other things. I took my boat in three days before the appointment to give them plenty of time. I had to pick the boat up the day after the appointment to get the tint done before heading to Powell. The day I was to pick up the boat I called to see if everythin was done. They said yes and it was good to go. I drove the over an hour drive and as they are going through things the service gal say they checked the fuel sending unit and it was fine so they did not replace it. I was not happy at this point as that was the main reason for the service. I talked to my salesman and he confirmed they had a new 2006 fuel sender they had gotten specifically for me and he had no clew as to why they didn't install it. We I left the boat and they got in put in four days later. But the salesman delivered the boat to me to make it right. I think they have evereything taken care of that should have been done before I got the boat. I am off to enjoy a great time at Powell. I am planning on this trip being much better than the first. Long story short, THEY FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT. Thanks to a great salesman.

[blondejosh]

Glad to hear that your OK,

We are Still waiting!!! Our summer has come and gone!

So you can imagine how we feel, and not even a Sorry from Tige!

[Original Wing Nut]

I had a great week at Powell. The fuel gauge reads full all the time, even when 38 gallons low. the fuel flow gauge said we went through 163 gallons the day I put 38 gallons in. So I gues they dealer was just being funny when they said everything was fixed. They have the boat back again and we'll see how much entertainment they can provide me for the next trip out. Andrew I called for help can you please call Taylors boats and give them some help.

[Andrew]

Wingnut I just spoke to the Service Manager and he related that your boat is fixed and they just pulled it inside for protection. He also related that all your issues have been corrected. As for the fuel flow meter, you requested to be installed, the issue is PCM engines use a return fuel line which returns unused fuel to the tank and this is what is causing your meter to show the number it does. The fuel flow was installed according to the instruction supplied. Taylors and Tige are doing some checking to see what and if this fuel flow will work with the PCM engines. I have also given the number to Tige MD since he has installed several flow meters to see if he has any sugestions.

I have also called and left a message for you on your voice mail.

Andrew

Blondejposh I am getting a hold of Adam in Australia. who manufacturers the boats in your area. Tige Boats Aus. handles all of the warranty on the boats they produce. I will contact Adam and will also follow up with a letter to him. You should here something soon.

Andrew

[Andrew]

Jim It was nice talking to you and will keep you updated.

Andrew

[Original Wing Nut]

I hope this is true and that all my issues are over. Hopefully MD will have an answer for the fuel flow meter. Thanks for helping