Questions on a 1995 Tige Ski

[bgould]

I am considering purchasing a 1995 Tige Ski. The boat is in beautiful condition. It looks brand new. It also comes with a brand new 2010 trailer. The price of the boat including trailer is $9500.00. Can anyone tell me if this is a decent boat? Are there any known issues with these? I heard of these boats taking on water over the bow in rough conditions. Has anyone heard of that? Will this be a good boat for amature wakeboarders? Also has anyone ever seen one with a wakeboard rack on it or could recommend a good rack. Sorry for all of the questions. I am new to the site and was hoping that you guys could help me out.
Thanks
Bill

[Joeprunc]

There are a few of us out there that still have these older boats. If its super clean $9500 isn't that bad of a price, i got mine with 450 hrs, quite clean, but a bad trailer for 8k. A new trailer helps (they cost anywhere between 4k and 8k new), as most of the older trailers were not designed very well.

Yes they can take on water the freeboard is very low. Where do you plan on boating? The water ski wake is amazing. If you weight it down you can get a decent wake, but nothing amazing. Some try to surf, but I wouldn't want to weight mine down that much. The boat handles like a dream in smooth water, and is constructed very solidly. Make sure the wood stringers aren't in bad shape. Check the wood flooring and make sure there aren't any soft spots (if there are I would walk away).

It is my first ski boat and I love it, going on 650 hours. Though now that I'm a little more experienced I would love to have an open bow version. Mine has a skylon pole, but we primarily ski.

Razzman had a great looking boat you can search with his name and take a look at his boat. Here is a link to one of them. http://www.tigeowners.com//forum/showthread.php?t=2730

[bgould]

Picture of the boat

I will be useing the boat in Lake Hopatcong NJ, and Lake Wallenpaupack in PA. Both lakes tend to get a little rough. Here is a picture of the boat.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I am considering purchasing a 1995 Tige Ski. The boat is in beautiful condition. It looks brand new. It also comes with a brand new 2010 trailer. The price of the boat including trailer is $9500.00. Can anyone tell me if this is a decent boat? Are there any known issues with these? I heard of these boats taking on water over the bow in rough conditions. Has anyone heard of that? Will this be a good boat for amature wakeboarders? Also has anyone ever seen one with a wakeboard rack on it or could recommend a good rack. Sorry for all of the questions. I am new to the site and was hoping that you guys could help me out.
Thanks
Bill

Monster towers work good on this smaller boat. I had a '95 SLM, which is the closed bow version, and I put about 1100 hours on it before I traded it in on the 20i. They gave me 9500, and turned around and sold it for 10 grand. I'd try and get it for less than 10, if possible.
As for wakeboarding, the weighted wake is quite dramatic and sharp. Makes a pretty short ramp and it will pop them fine...Once they are used to it, it makes it a little difficult for them to go ride behind a big boat, but my kid learned to flip on our SLM. So ya, it works... just not ideal.

[bfrank]

I have a beautiful 1997 Pre2000WT I'm selling:

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...t&postid=16745

[bgould]

I went through with the purchase and pick the boat up on Friday. Can you guy give me any hints or tips on the boat? This will be my first ski boat.

[AdaminMN]

I have the closed bow version of your boat. Just watch the low bow, if you see a larger wake heading for you, throttle up to get the bow out of the water a bit, unless you want to rinse the interior of the boat out.

Inboards handle a bit differently that other boats, so practice docking and other slow speed manuvers. In forward, you really only have steering when the prop is turning. Yes the rudder will still steer when the boat is in neutral, but not much.

Reverse is only good for backing up ine one diection, the direction of 5 o'clock. You'll have very little steering in reverse. I've found you can spin the boat in about a thirty foot circle with practice. I turn the rudder hard left and bump the throttle in and out of gear, the boat will spin counter clockwise.

I run two 450# sacs for surfing, we don't wakeboard, so I can't tell you the setup for that. Regular maintenance will include oil changes every 50 hours, or once in the fall. That means engine and transmission. Change the intake impeller every spring and keep the old one as a back up. Winterization...check around the site here, everyone has a different way.

[Joeprunc]

I have the closed bow version of your boat. Just watch the low bow, if you see a larger wake heading for you, throttle up to get the bow out of the water a bit, unless you want to rinse the interior of the boat out.

Inboards handle a bit differently that other boats, so practice docking and other slow speed manuvers. In forward, you really only have steering when the prop is turning. Yes the rudder will still steer when the boat is in neutral, but not much.

Reverse is only good for backing up ine one diection, the direction of 5 o'clock. You'll have very little steering in reverse. I've found you can spin the boat in about a thirty foot circle with practice. I turn the rudder hard left and bump the throttle in and out of gear, the boat will spin counter clockwise.

I run two 450# sacs for surfing, we don't wakeboard, so I can't tell you the setup for that. Regular maintenance will include oil changes every 50 hours, or once in the fall. That means engine and transmission. Change the intake impeller every spring and keep the old one as a back up. Winterization...check around the site here, everyone has a different way.

Well put....
Looks like a beautiful boat. I really wish I had the open bow version. And we aren't kidding when we say keep the nose up in rough conditions or if there are larger boat wakes coming. It is very very easy to bring water aboard. Also when you have two people up front slow down slowly or you could dip the nose. Another trick a friend uses is throwing some weight in the rear to help balance it out.

This thing will handle like a race car at speed on the smooth water. I drove my parents boat this past weekend and forgot really how well these boats handle. Their I/O felt unsafe at speeds over 15mph.

Congrats and enjoy.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I have a beautiful 1997 Pre2000WT I'm selling:

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skii...t&postid=16745

Looks a lot like my old 95. Love the dark blue.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Driving the SLM isn't like driving other boats. The nose really likes to dip. If it does, just DUCK QUICK. Everyone else in the boat gets soaked.. and you barely take a drop. It's some seriously funny shiiit to see.

[bgould]

Thanks for everyones input. How hard is it to keep the nose up on these boats. I hope I didn't just make a $10000 mistake by purchasing this boat.

[Joeprunc]

Its not that bad, you just have to make sure you pay attention. Most of these swamps occur from close range wakes...ie your own wake or a wake from a close passing wake boarder or surfer. When you pick up a downed rider/skier pick them up at idle speeds, you won't have your own waves to contend with and everyone else on the lake will appreciate less waves.

You will love your new boat. Until you get a better feel for it, I would only allow one person to sit up front at a time.

[jwanck11]

I will be useing the boat in Lake Hopatcong NJ, and Lake Wallenpaupack in PA. Both lakes tend to get a little rough. Here is a picture of the boat.

Cool - you are not too far from me. My Great Aunt and Uncle have a place on Wallenpaupack. Perhaps we can catch up one day. You also might want to check out Beltzville in PA. Good lake to be on during the week.

[bgould]

Thanks for all of the advice. The boat is in my driveway. Hopefully I can get it wet this weekend.