Combining the Right Stuff

Tigé’s 22i is a dramatic, fully-loaded skiboat that delivers versatility and world-class performance. Additionally, the boat comes with a LifePlus Lifetime Replacement Warranty.

By Capt. John B. Wenz

Founded in 1991, Tigé’s target goal was the family watersports segment. At this point, I’d say their aim is pretty good. With eight models to choose from, every boat in Tigé’s lineup shares the same patented “Convex V” hull design and “TAPS2” control system, which offer true multi-sport versatility. Typical of direct-drive boats, the 22i also has the sharp steering and precise handling one expects from this type of design.

Deck Layout

Up forward, you’ll find deep, contoured seating with sturdy handrails port and starboard. Walk aft through the windshield, and you’re in a family-sized cockpit with room for your whole gang. This wide-bodied 22-footer seats ten in comfort, and the soft curves and thick cushions are user-friendly whether you’re at the dock or underway. There’s also plenty of storage under both sides of the console. A self-draining, insulated cooler is included, along with a glove box. In addition, you’ll find gull-wing hatches that conceal compartments big enough to store your wakeboards and waterskis out of sight. The fiberglass step-through transom gives riders and skiers easy access to the standard removable teak swim-step or the optional non-skid swim platform.

A number of audio options including a Sirius Compatible Clarion Marine CD system with amp, sub-woofer, and tower speakers, let you crank up the volume. You’ll be able to ski, board, or party in style aboard this boat! A long list of other options include performance, safety, and convenience items like a collapsible tower, board racks, a ski pylon, additional lighting and a shower, to name a few.

At the Helm

A flip-up bolster seat provides excellent visibility, and a standard ski mirror allows the driver to keep an eye on the action. The Faria analog instruments are well-placed for visibility and controls and switches are easy to reach. Speed, air/water temperature and digital depth are all standard. The TAPS system indicator makes it easy to change from wakeboard to slalom positions or anywhere in between. TAPS responds quickly to the driver’s command, changing the wake characteristics for boarders and skiers at the touch of a button.

The Tigé Difference

What makes Tigé boats so special? The key is in the patented “Convex V” hull shape and the “TAPS” control plate. What you get is precise, instant, infinitely adjustable wake configuring. This innovative technology has earned Tigé a number of awards. It allows the driver to accommodate both skiers and boarders of all levels; ideal for the novice in the family as well as the expert. Besides the performance versatility, you can trim the boat to comfortably handle bigger chop than you’d expect in a watersports boat of this size. The hull shape also requires less power to do the job. Standard engines are smaller than their competitors, resulting in a lower purchase price and lower fuel operating costs.

Out on the Water

This is where you really see what these boats are all about. With the TAPS control in the wakeboard position, the boat doesn’t rise up to a plane as you accelerate. Instead, the non-planing hull produces the kind of huge wake that boarders love at the speed they need. By lowering the plate, you can regulate the size of your wake. With TAPS in the ski position the bow drops, the boat planes out in 3.5 seconds, and the 22i offers ideal slalom conditions. The addition of optional electronic speed control allows the driver to precisely duplicate the combination of settings for the most demanding riders. Tigé went to the trouble of consulting with skiers and boarders during the design process, to find out what they most wanted in terms of wake size and shape.

22i Specifics and Performance

The overall length measures 21-feet 8-inches and the beam is a wide 102”. The 22i weighs 3,895 pounds and carries 47 gallons of fuel. Standard power is a 315 HP carbureted GM Vortec engine, but there are five different options that range up to the 380 HP 6.0L Vortec MPI. Our test boat was equipped with the 5.7 Liter MPI GM Vortec engine. At 3000 rpm we cruised at 29.4 miles-per-hour using 7.9 gallons of gas. We reached 42 miles-per-hour as a maximum speed.

Construction specs are equally as impressive. Their boats apparently weigh 400-800 pounds more than most others of similar size, because Tigé bonds their hull and deck into a single solid fiberglass unit. Seat bases and other deck furniture are molded into the hull, not screwed onto the deck as is typical. This adds structural integrity to the entire vessel.

I had one question for the Tigé engineers; why had they chosen not to put a sea cock on the engine cooling intake through-hull? Their explanation was logical, but I’d prefer to have the ability to shut this off if the system developed a leak. Tigé’s confidence in their product is confirmed by the LifePlus Lifetime Replacement Warranty. They’ll replace, for the original owner, a ’04, ’05, or ’06 registered boat if there is any structural failure in the hull, stringer matrix or floor for the lifetime of the boat.

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions