ConvexV and Taps2 Really Work?

[Guapo]

I've been trying to work a deal with the somewhat local MC dealer on a new X-30, X-35 or X-45. MC is strong in my area and I have many friends with them (Louisville, KY area). I ran across the Tige site and then this forum last night. Spent an hour or so watching/reading all the Tige info. The ConvexV and Taps2 looks like quality engineering and makes for a much more versatile boat. I would be looking at a 2009 RZ2 or RZ4. We are new to Wakeboarding and surfing. I hear so much MC propaganda around here that I would like some input from Tige owners on their experiences. Does the Tige system really work as advertised? Is it that much better than MC? What do I need to consider in regards to a new Tige? And other advice.

Thanks in advance...

David

[chpthril]

To simply answer your question, yes, the Convex Hull and TAPS system do work great. It does allow the boat produce a nice sized wake with out adding ballast for those riders that dont need it. But, this is NO tow boat made that cant benefit from some added ballast, BUT that is a matter of personal opinion, preference and expectations one has about wake size and quality.

There is some much out there about who has the best wake boat. I love the guys that claim they own the best boat ever made cause it produces the biggest bestest bad@zz wake out there.............then you ask them how much weight they are running on top of factory ballast and their replay is "2K lb's" So, if you boat is so damn great, why did you have to add that much to it in order to throw a trick.

Best advice is to get out in each boat on your short list and have a tow. They are all different, ride diff, handle diff, respond to ballast diff, etc. If you choose a Tige, definitely go with the ballast, or at least go into it knowing you will want it at some point down the road. If you want to surf, you will need ballast, the more then better, but I can say that the Tiges will produce a comparable surf wake with less weight then most of the competition.

[Jason B]

If you're a serious buyer go drive them and see. The taps works. It won't turn a small wake into a tsunami, but it will change the shape significantly (sometimes for the worse if you don't paya attention). It's very easy to use and it is indeed effective. The haters have sort of bastardized the intended purpose by claiming Tige hails it as a wake making monster--that's not the case.
You really need to ride in one and you'll see the value.
Besides that, why the heck would you want the same boat as everybody else on the lake???????

[dogbert]

The way to look at TAPS & the Convex hull is that the hull gives you the overall wake size and width, TAPS gives you the ability to fine-tune the shape without reworking your ballast situation. The RZ2 wake, when properly ballasted, has a nice shape to it and is super rampy. It's not as steep as say a Nautique, but it's also a lot wider. Lots of riders prefer the width of the Tige wake because you can do quite a bit without launching into the flats, which tends to be more forgiving on the knees.

My only advice to you is to go out and ride behind the boats you are considering. For the money you're going to pay, you definitely want to know. If the dealer won't do that, then don't buy from them.

Aside from that, the layout of the RZ2 is killer, especially with the new Alpha tower. The bow sits up higher than a fully loaded MC, so you're less likely to bury the bow (a real problem on the MCs).

MC does have some convenience features that I'd like to see on the RZ2, but for the most part, they will be equivalent as far as quality goes. MC does warrant their vinyl longer than Tige does, but that's what you get for paying a premium.

Last, but not least, the dealer will make all the difference in your boating experience. If your dealer has sucky service, then you'll be miserable. My Tige dealer is 5 minutes from my house and takes good care of me. Sure, there will always be some snafus, but it's how their handled that makes the difference. Having a good working relationship with their service team means the one time when you really need them to come through for you, they will. That can turn a bad day on the lake into a salvaged weekend. Nothing sucks more than having your boat not working on critical weekends where you've planned major boating activity for you and your friends.

Good luck with your purchase and let us know what you decide (and why).

[Timmy!]

The TAPS definitely works but like chpthril said above, it's not the end-all, be-all solution for your wake. If you are serious about wakeboarding and wakesurfing, get the ballast option!!! The dealers always try and talk you out of them but you will want it (and need it for surfing). If you test drive a Tige, you will see first hand how the TAPS works. While wakesurfing, you can definitely see the difference it makes in your surf wave, it can take an unuseable wave and make it perfect with the click of a button and allow you to really dial it in. (with ballast of course)

Just like everyone above has stated, go drive the boat and ride behind it since that is really the most important part of the purchase. If they hem and haw about it, move on to another dealer.

I've had my RZ2 for 2 years now and absolutely love it. I was like you and fell in love with MC's but then stumbled onto Tige's and couldn't be happier.

[FacePlant]

Agree with all above. I have ridden in/behind MC's, Malibus, Centurions and Tige's and my money went to Tige.....twice. As stated above, make SURE YOU GET A GOOD DEALER!! Makes all the difference in the world....

[da.bell]

Agreed with all but since this is your first boat and you are getting into wakeboarding, I would suggest the RZ2 and not the RZ4. I had a 24Ve before my RZ2 and the 24Ve was just a huge beast. Great boat but way too big. The RZ2 does fit 1 person less than the 24Ve and weighs slightly less. The main reason why we moved to wards the RZ2 was because it was smaller and more maneuverable.

[jwanck11]

TAPS and the hull work together with the speed of the boat. There are several advantages of the complete system:

1) It will assist with getting up on plane quickly. TAPS is a trim tab of sorts. Drop the plate into the water at take off and it will displace water effectively lowering the bow. Less bow rise is always a good thing. Less water pushed also lowers gas consumption.

2) At 17-22 mph, raising the TAPS will have an effect in allowing the rear end of the boat to sit in the water (by design) and will allow the hull (convex) to create a larger natural wake.

3) At 26-32, lowering the taps will drop the bow and flatten out the boat on the water thus naturally lowering the wake for skiing.

4) For tubing, you can dial the ride (change it mid flight) for your riders desires and tolerances.

There are other benefits that other members have said. (I have no clue on surfing!)

One other thing about a Tige is that the ride in rougher water is far smoother and capable in my opinion after drivign many boats.

Above all:

1)- as many have said - find a Dealer that gives you a good experience and at least appears as bulletproof in this economy as can be.

2) Drive the boats and see if you can get a pull behind them.

[Timmy!]

One other thing to note, do you notice how there isn't any bashing of the other brands in this thread? Pretty interesting - go post the same response on ANY other forum and see what you get

[chpthril]

One other thing to note, do you notice how there isn't any bashing of the other brands in this thread? Pretty interesting - go post the same response on ANY other forum and see what you get

Yep, no need to bash other brands in order to make a yours look good like other owners, dealers, and factory reps do

[Duncan]

One other thing about a Tige is that the ride in rougher water is far smoother and capable in my opinion after drivign many boats.

Agreed. The TAPS plate allows the boat to handle like a wakeboard boat when you need a wake and also a more versatile boat when you don't. Going from our riding spot to a cove for anchoring takes us out in the channel--drop the TAPS to 1 or 2 and the boat handles like a boat, not a water displacement vessel. TAPS is what sold me on Tige. Second was the amazing new tower.

Another valuable Tige asset is this forum. There are an amazing number of very knowledgeable and helpful users here.

Last, you chose a great year to get interested in a Tige. PCM engine, thicker vinyl, new tower. Lots going on.

[laserfish]

I have had mine for 8 years and still love it. The ride, handling and how it takes rough water are fantastic. Drive both boats and you will see what I mean. MC is a cadillac of a boat, but for a solid feel I have to go with Tige. Hard to go wrong with these two choices. Right now the only boat I would trade for is the RZ2. Took one out at the reunion and it is phenomenal.

[talltigeguy]

The TAPS works awesome and the Tige hull combined with the TAPS is the real deal. The wakes are bigger unballasted than other boats, but still is nice to have with ballast to make it bigger.

I owned 2 different Tiges for 6 years total and loved the boats.

I now own an X-45. I sold my 24V with plans to make an RZ2 purchase. If prices had not gone up for Tige, I would have one now and be very happy. The wife laid down the law on my budget and new RZ2 did not fit. I was able to find a gently used X-45 for a smokin' deal so I pulled the trigger there.

There is really a world of difference in the 3 MC's you mention. I think the rough water ride in my 45 is every bit as good if not better than my 24V. At idle speeds, the bow rides lower and might be easier to take on water, but that is really a driver skill issue for the most part.

You would be very happy with either boat. Dealer makes a difference as mentioned above.

[Tanner]

Something I'll add is, alot of brands have started offering wake-plates after bashing Tige for theirs. Guess they figured it wasn't such a bad idea after all...lol.

Wakeplates on the Tige and all other brands function totally different from each other. The Tige hull is designed to work with the wakeplate. Wakeboard boats are based of Ski boats and have what are called an instant plane hull. They take tons of ballast to sink the boat and drop the rear end down as well.

Tige has what I call an "instant wakeboard hull" ...lol. The hook in the hull already pulls the boat down into the water naturally! More than a standard flat bottom ski hull will. The wake plate is used to raise the the boat up to plane out. So it actually affects the way the whole hull rides on the water.

The same wakeplate on other manufacturers do not work the same. They essentially only shape the wake if you've got a side washing out on you. And even then, their effects are very limited... as there's not much you can do if your hull isn't designed to work with it.

I do want to correct one thing I said above though. There is one other manufacturer who's hull is designed to work around the wakeplate, and that's Supra. Their design is very similar to Tige's.

So if your out shopping, and someone gives you the .... "Taps" is only a band-aid to cover up a bad hull design.... ask them why their brand now uses a wakeplate too! Then tell them to sell you "their boat", and not bash another product. Same goes for a Tige dealer if they bash another brand!

[Jeffe]

My old boat was a Moomba & I had ridden behind Natiques, MC, Wakesetters, Centurians, Supra & Supreme.

I had never ridden behind a Tige until I took the test drive with my dealer. Very professional, polite, great wake, taps, etc...

It was up between the Malibu Wakesetter & the RZ4. When I went to the Malibu dealer every other word out of his mouth was F Tige, F taps, F this & F that. Well that helped me make my decision right there & I could not be happier.

The dealer was my decision maker!