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! :D

[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!:cool:

[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:D

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]

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

[David]

With all of the options, and low hours, and 2005 boat, I'm sure the price will be a just around the MSRP, give or take a couple thousand.

[Domsz06]

It you are worried about the taps breaking you should see the problem son the wedge by malibus'. My friends are on their SIXTH, yes 6 one this summer, and they just got it in july. Plus in the rough water, I'm nice and smooth where they are Choppy as hell. I'm not sure if you know anyone down their Mongoos, but their are a couple of guys down their in Hawaii, that are from Oklahoma. Their first names are keith and joey, if you know them ask them about my boat. The came out with me on memorial day and keith who is on the outlaw tour LOVED my boat and couldn't stop talking about it. Good luck on deciding, but I'd go with another tige, Iknow that!!

Dom

[simsob23]

I bought a Malibu this past April and that was the biggest mistake I could ever made. Problems after problems and finally either take the boat back or get ready for a law suit.
When the dealer bought it back, I went straight to the Tige dealer in Mesa AZ, and I bought a 22V. It has been a great trouble free boat and the dealer was wonderful. Truly a great experience.
I am sure you can't go wrong with the boat. They are machines, so something can happen, but so far mine has been flawless.

Good luck.

[mongoose]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. The more I look at Tige' the more I get amped! I am feeling pretty good about making the purchase, however I have some additional questions.

How do you think the wake on the Tige' compares to the Pro Air Nautique and the Super Air Nautique?

Is the Tige' 20V capable of producing a good wake with just the use of TAPS and the factory ballast system only and no additional weight (Phat sacks, lead, etc.).

Malaho Nui Loa!

[simsob23]

I don't know about the Ski Nautique performance since I have never owned one. I can tell you though that compared to a Malibu the difference is quite remarcable. Much higher wake even with the Taps2 in the slalom position.
I am not very good at wakeboarding so I don't have a very knowledgeable answer for you but some friends that are much better than myself, absolutely love it.
With the Malibu and the wedge down, it was impossible to use it unless there were 5 or 6 people on board and sitting in the front to weight it down and avoiding a constant pitching up and down. Plus the Tige will cut through rough water much nicer than the Malibu and a couple of other brands I have been on (Moomba I think and another one I can't remember).
I love the boat, I am pretty sure you will as well.

[flackpack]

Mongoose -

I have ridden behind a Switch V (similiar boat to the 20 V, only a lower price point) and a Super Air Nautique. My preference was for the Tige'. Many people on other sites may criticize this preference, but I am not up to pro level, and the transitions from wake to wake felt much better on the Tige'. The ramp was more progressive and the wake was wider. A wider wake for me means I hit the opposite wake landing and my knees and back don't hurt as much as landing in the flats. I also liked the storage and room better on the Tige', that is why I own one myself!

[poohpotta]

mongoose - I guess you couldn't just cruise your boat across the Pacific to California for service! :D

Have you contacted Tige to see if there may be another boat dealer in Hawaii that they'd authorize to perform warranty service?

[dogbert]

If you're tall like me, then you won't fit behind the wheel of either Nautique. I've looked at both over the years and there are a lot of little details that will ultimately piss you off, which you won't have with the Tige.

Agree with all other points on the Malibu. Neighbor has one and they still ride behind my boat.