New TIGE Boat Ordered

[raythompson]

OK, I did it. I ordered a TIGE 22V while at a local boat show. Here is what I got.

Tige 22V, white on top, blue hull, white bottom
GM Vortec 5.7 MPI 340hp
Stainless steel rubrail
Gray interior with snake accents
Teak swim platform
Tige Tower in all white
Fork board racks
Billet mirror bracket
Permium sound system
Sharkskin boat cover
Boat cover tie down kit
Wakeboard pro cruise control
Cockpit table (Ivory)
Docking lights
Dual batteries
Bimini Top in blue
Blue trailer with disk brakes and swing tongue

Now I have to wait for the boat to be built. The factory rep, Mark Gibbs, will be taking pictures of the boat during the manufacturing process and will forward them. Sort of like ultrasound of your unborn child. And they both cost lots of money to keep and maintain. Should take 6-8 weeks until the boat arrives.

I have to say that Mark was most helpful in the entire process and paitently answered all my numerous questions and concerns, some of which were posted by people on this board.

If the boat is a good as Mark was representing the boat I will be pleased. I also am using a dealer that I have used in the past for service, and so have a couple of friends, and the dealer should be very good to work with on the boat.

I also learned that you should take along some homemade chocolate cookies when negotiating over the price and features of the boat.

Now I think I will go cry in my pillow as I think of all the money I spent.

[GIZMO]

Very nice set up. That is a great boat with all the best options.


GIZMO

[raythompson]

Originally posted by GIZMO
Very nice set up. That is a great boat with all the best options.
Thanks. Now I have to also acquire patience while I wait for the boat.

Many thanks to those on this board that posted with some suggestions about what they liked for options. It helped with the decision process.

What I did not get was a fuel flow meter as TIGE says that they have improved the fuel guage and I may not need the meter. If I decide later on that it is needed, the dealer can add the option.

Can't wait for the first of April.

[Matt Garcia]

Congratulations. Post up the pictures when you get them.

[shane]

How Much???

[raythompson]

$47,079.00

That includes an upgraded trailer (4500.00) with disk brakes, folding tongue, LED lights all around, and backup lights.

And Mark is throwing in a couple of TIGE t-shirts.

[Banks]

sweet

[poohpotta]

raythompson Congrats Ray! Enjoy your new boat out on Watts Bar, try to come see us at Percy Priest or Center Hill sometime. Dale Hollow is another great lake as well. Who is your dealer out there is East Tennessee?

[raythompson]

Originally posted by poohpotta
Dale Hollow is another great lake as well. Who is your dealer out there is East Tennessee?
I might just be on Dale Hill some day. My son is attending MTSU where they are sucking my wallet dry and that is not too far from Dale Hill. If my memory serves me correct that is the lake fomed by the damn that you can see from I-40. Correct me if I am mistaken.

The dealer will be Sea Ray of Knoxville. I have worked with them in the past on my current boat (Century Bronco) when I needed the transom replaced and also on some general servicing on the boat.

We use Watts Bar a lot as we just like the lake. It is large with many coves. Even with a lot of boats finding smooth water is not difficult. We also camp on Gillispie Island over Memorial Day and Labor Day with four other families, their offspring and friends. Sometimes as many as thirty people, four boats, and a couple of wave runners.

We hope to have the boat by the first week of April.

All that I have talked with have liked the boat and recommended the boat. Of course I would say the same about my current boat.

Took the old boat (owned 20 years, yeh I am an old fart) out yesterday to wash it in preparation for sale. I almost hate to part with that boat as it has served me so very well. Reliable, useful, fun, and still in very good shape as it has been garaged it's entire life. The only downside has been the wood used in the construction as eventually the wood will rot.

The TIGE does not have any wood so that should be a welcome relief. Most boats made today do not have wood or use resin impregnated wood so rot is a thing of the past.

The TIGE is a different class of boat (V-drive) than my stern drive. There will be some handling differences that will be easily overcome. After seeing some of the clods on the lake with Supra's, Mastercraft, Ski Natique, and the way they handle their boats, I will have no problems.

Anyway, if I decide to make it to Dale Hill I will drop you a message so we can compare boats and talk. It would be good to see another TIGE owner face to face. So I may need your email address.

Thanks for your comments.

[poohpotta]

If my memory serves me correct that is the lake fomed by the damn that you can see from I-40

Actually, the dam you see coming down I-40 is for J. Percy Priest lake in Hermitage, where I reside. Dale Hollow is on the Kentucky/Tennessee border, about 40 miles north of Cookeville, TN (home of Tennessee Tech).

Let me know when your in-town and maybe we could hook-up at Percy Priest, it is a great lake. The Tige and Mastercraft dealer of Nashville are also located here in Hermitage.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by poohpotta
Actually, the dam you see coming down I-40 is for J. Percy Priest lake in Hermitage, where I reside. Dale Hollow is on the Kentucky/Tennessee border, about 40 miles north of Cookeville, TN (home of Tennessee Tech).
Shows how often I get over that way. Thanks for the correction.
And the same applies if you are even in the Watts Bar area.

[Tequilasun]

Congrats on the new boat...try not to spend too many sleepless nights waiting on her! I hardly slept a wink waiting on mine!!

[raythompson]

Originally posted by draginass
Congrats on the new boat...try not to spend too many sleepless nights waiting on her! I hardly slept a wink waiting on mine!!
This is not my first boat so the excitement factor I had when I was getting my first boat is not present. I want the boat to arrive a couple of weeks before Memorial Day as that is the weekend of the big camping trip.

We pack everything to the island in our boats. Sort of looks like The Beverly Hillbillies as we are leaving the dock area. And coming back in after three days and two nights we look the part even more.

Sleep is not a problem as I cry myself to sleep thinking about the money that I spent on the boat. The boat is 2.5 times the cost of my first house. And with this boat I will be paying cash and will own the boat with no lien holder.

The purchase is not final until I do the test ride. That will take place this afternoon in the same type boat, not the same options. But it will give me an idea of how the boat handles and if I want to fully commit. Which I suspect that I will.