New vs "Older" 20i

[Bakes5]

I am currently looking for my first Tige.

Are there any major difference's between say a 2005 20i and 2000 20i in regards to performance? That is, have there been significant upgrades to the hull and/or running equip (TAPS) that make the 05's that much better than the 2000 models?

Thanks

Bakes

[NICKYPOO]

Completly different boats. New hulls, new interiors, new towers, new TAPS. I don't know how much "better" they are now but, they were pretty damn good then. I think the biggest difference would be the construction. In 2000 Tige was still using quite a bit of wood. You will hear all sorts of negative stuff about that subject from all the other boat manufacturers out there but, truth is, there ain't a damn thing wrong with it. I bought my 2000 22i in early '01 from a guy who primarily used it for partying on. He didn't tell me directly but I am 99.99% sure the boat was at least partly sunk. When I went to check it out, it was soaked. There was a snail living in the speedometer. However, everything worked fine and it fired right up so, I bought it and drug back to Nevada where it could dry out. I have had ZERO problems with it. So other than the wood, everything else has been small gains here and there on wake, ride and comfort. Actually, my "old" 2000 is WAY more comfortable than any of the newer ones. In my humble opinion of course. I haven't heard any good reports on the new TAPS, just bad ones. They have had a few of them burn up. Theoretically they are great. No more hydraulics to deal with. In real life however, I am wondering if they are strong enough to handle the load of a fully loaded Tige at speed. The old ones were made by Bennet. Best damn guys in the world. I had replace a leaky O-ring and turned a simple project into a complete debachle. Long story short, they gave me all new parts for everything even though I was out of waranty. Didn't charge my one cent. Not even for shipping.

PS- If it has the old factory Metcraft tower on it, plan on upgading to something new. Those things will kill you.

[tobo57]

My understanding is the 20 i is changed for 06.They took the hull from the switch and that gave it more room inside.it was 04 they got away from the wood and went to the composit.I think the older boats are just as good,butt the perseption is wood rots.In my opionion the 20 i gets treated like a red headed step child.

[Nick Howard]

Bakes5,

The 2006 20i (formerly '04/'05 Switch i, but with numerous upgrades for '06) is a completely different boat than the previous 20i. The new boat has our latest hull technology (ConvexV), so it will provide better wakeboarding wakes, similar slalom ski wakes (better in some skiers opinions) and a better rough water ride. The new 20i is also substantially deeper, as well as wider. However, due to the much deeper 'V' in the new ConvexV hull, the previous 20i does have more of the traditional-inboard, incredible handling performance characteristics. All that being said, if you're looking at a 2000 20i, it's still a great boat! Go drive it if you have the chance, I'm positive you'll love it! It just doesn't have all of our latest technology and designs.

Nickypoo,

All 2006 (and late 2005) Tige's actually have hydraulic controls by Bennett Marine. The change was made primarily for supplier reasons. The biggest difference between the original TAPS and TAPS2 was not the fact that we switched from hydraulic to electric, but that it was designed with considerably more 'throw' in the system, offering even more versatility.

tobo57,

I would agree with you that the 20i is often forgotten by many. In a world where larger v-drives now dominate the market, I jump at every opportunity I have to drive on of our 20-footers. They are a blast to drive, the handling and performance is amazing!

Nick Howard
Tige' Boats
Midwest Regional Product Mgr

[NICKYPOO]

Mr. Nick Howard,

I see. How much more throw is in the new ones? I also noticed that the new ones have a single actuator. I'm completely guessing here but, is that a direct result of the narrower plate due to the redisigned hull. If you have a narrower plate, you have less wetted surface. Less wetted surface means less effect. Less effect means put some more throw into it to compensate for less wetted surface? Possitive side effect; more angle of attack through overcompensation? How much more angle did you get out of them? I'm glad to see you are still with Bennett. Didn't you guys switch to the electric Lenko's for a while?