Tigé Z1 (2010-)

Brief Summary

It’s hard to call the Z1 an entry level boat since it is designed to kick up the fun from the typical stern drive skiboat. Novice and mid-range enthusiasts will certainly appreciate the ability to have optimal wake for tricks and show. For even more excitement TAPS technology adds precise control of your wake design.

Key Features

• Patented ConvexV Hull & TAPS2 Technology
• Hand-laid multi-directional fiberglass hull
• Heavy-duty all-brass underwater gear
• E Controls electronic technology
• Tigé SpeedSet cruise control
• Medallion can-bus digital instrumentation
• Teleflex competition controls
• Argo flip-up bolster seat
• Ergonomic seating and interior design
• Snap-in carpet
• Family-size storage throughout
• Removable fiberglass swimstep

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	21' 0'' / 6.4 m
Beam	100'' 2.4 m
Dry Weight	3,714 lbs. 1685 kg
Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	N/A
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	38 gal. 144 L
Water Capacity	N/A

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	2.8 sec.
0 to 30	5.6 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	13.5 x 16 x 4
Load	2 persons, Fuel 3/4, water N/A, gear 25 lbs
Climate	Temp 66, Humidity 54, Winds 15-20 mph, Seas 0-1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 343-hp PCM EX343 5.7l MPI
Std. Power	1 x 343-hp PCM EX343 5.7L MPI
Opt. Power	1 x 275-hp PCM ProSport 5.0L MPI

Warranty

Hull Warranty Extended	LifePlus Lifetime Replacement Warranty

Captain's Report

The Full Spectrum...

First things first... how can Tigé make a boat that performs across the full spectrum, and just what is that spectrum anyway? Well, first you have to understand that if you take a slalom skier for a tow, he’s going to want to have a smooth, shallow wake so that he can be keeping up speed while going back and forth across the boat's wake and wash without stumbling.

A wakeboarder, on the other hand, wants a fat wake to jump off of and get serious air as he flies across from side to side. To get a shallow wake on a typical boat, you go faster so that it planes better. But you can’t do that while towing a skier. They need a mid range speed to stay in control. To get a fat wake, you’d slow a typical boat so that the bow is up high and the stern is dragging. That means slowing down which does the wakeboarder no good for high jumps. So what to do?

Planing isn’t a problem as most boats will do it at a moderate speed. So the slalom guy’s happy. To get the wake up, you keep the speed and sink the boat lower. That means adding ballast by filling tanks or removable bags called “fat sacs”. Then you’ll have to drain them later to haul back to the dock without burning more fuel. Tigé seems to have come up with a boat that can do it all.

Playing T.A.P.S.

T.A.P.S. stands for Tigé Adjustable Performance System, and it’s exactly as the name implies. Instead of the hull dropping down slightly in the stern like other wake boats, Tigé’s hull has a slight rise, which Tigé calls convex-V, and behind that, at the transom, is a plate that is adjustable at the helm to control the characteristics of the hull, and therefore, the wake.

Presto, you have a planing boat with a light wake, and at the touch of a switch to lower and raise the plate, you can squat the stern to increase the wake. It’s performance heaven for watersports enthusiasts and it’s on every Tigé hull.

The Perks

Not only do you get great wake control, you get a great performing boat while you’re at it. Thanks to her triple hull tracking fins, the Z1 can turn on a dime. There’s very little slide so you don’t feel like you’re losing control. Acceleration is crisp, with our tests showing a time to plane of only 2.8 seconds (one of our fastest ever recorded!), and a 0-30 MPH time of 5.6 seconds.
Since this is a V-drive installation, there’s more room in the cockpit without having to work around a bulky engine box in the middle of the boat. PCM engines not only have four engine mounts, but an additional two under the transmission as well. That translates into less vibration and less discomfort for the passengers.
With a 343-hp 5.7L engine as standard, our test boat reached a top speed of 44.9 MPH and had a best cruise of 25.9. At that speed, she was burning only 6.8 gallons per hour.

The Layout

The flip-up bolster seat is standard and not only wraps around the operator, but its mesh seat and back will keep you from cooking on those hot days, prevent you from sticking to the seat when wearing a swimsuit, and keep the seat dry when sitting in a wetsuit. I like how Tigé builds their removable swim platforms low to the surface of the water, thus eliminating the need for a swim ladder. They still include the grab handle to pull yourself up though. For notable options, you have the much desired SpeedSet cruise control, and wakeboarders will need the collapsible tower and swivel board racks.

I didn’t care for the removable Lexan windscreen that goes in the walkthrough to the bow. Most often that feature is hinged leaving one less item for storage. As if to add insult to injury, this even comes with a padded storage bag, so even when using the windscreen, you still have to store the bag. C’mon Tigé, you do better at everything else, this is a no-brainer.

For family watersports on a capable, price-point boat, the Tigé Z1 can do it all. It’s a fun boat that’s easy to handle, whether on the water, or behind the vehicle on the way to the ramp. And that’s a combination worth looking into.