Tigé’s latest addition to the range is the 22Vé – a high performance 22-foot V-drive featuring the kind of innovation and luxury that has been a hallmark of this company.

We recently had the opportunity to test the 22Vé at the Carrum Watersports Centre just outside Melbourne, and found it to be a perfect example of a big boat that delivers on all fronts.

Massive amounts of interior space, a great wake even without ballast, and excellent performance are all catered for in this design. Tigé has also given special attention to designing a hull that maximizes fuel economy, which is an added bonus with fuel prices continuing to rise.

Interior
One of the most impressive things about the new breed of wakeboarding boats is their ability to maximize interior space, and this Tigé is a great example of that.

At 22ft, the 22Vé is a big boat, yet it feels even bigger inside, with a clever interior design that utilises every inch of space and allows a total crew of 14 people! The sides are extremely deep as well, which adds to the feeling of security and comfort.

The main passenger area features a huge wrap-around lounge that is deep, wide and super-comfy. There are large storage areas under the seats and beside the engine at the rear, and many smaller storage areas scattered throughout the boat, along with numerous cup holders and other convenient touches.

The walk-through bow is equally as comfortable and well equipped, and also features a cushion-insert to convert it to a very cozy little set-up.
Tigé have enjoyed a long association with Clarion, and the test boat was set up with a high quality stereo system that certainly did justice to the overall package.

Driving
As you would expect with a boat of this quality, the cockpit is sensational, in both looks and functionality. There’s a huge array of controls and gauges, but it doesn’t take long to familiarise yourself with the set-up, as it’s all logical and well thought-out.

The seat is a nice piece of work, fully adjustable and very supportive, and offering an excellent view through the high windscreen.
From a pure driving perspective the 22Vé feels very nimble and sporty for such a large boat. The steering is light and direct, and the hull responds to every command with impressive precision.

The Tigé tracks solidly through the water, and the SpeedSet cruise control was user-friendly and reliable. Through chop, the 22Vé remained comfortable and well-balanced.

Powered by a Tigé GM Vortec 5.7 litre 340HP motor, driving a 13.5x16 four blade prop, the 22Vé offers very strong acceleration out of the whole, while also returning excellent fuel economy for a boat this size, according to the figures coming out of America.

Wakes
The secret to the Tigé wakes is their patented convex hull and TAPS2 system, which allows the driver to control the size and shape of the wake via controls on the dash.

A small gauge shows the current TAPS2 setting, from one (mellow wakes for beginners) through to eight (large peaky wakes with steeper transitions).

This is achieved via a system that either allows the hull to plane instantly, creating minimal water displacement, or on the other hand causes the hull to settle deeper in the water, creating greater water displacement and therefore larger wakes.

Australian Tigé team members Daniel Watkins, Scotty Broome and Dwayne Priestley have all spent the past six months riding and living in the States with their own 22Vé models.

Tigé Australia
For several years Tigé boats were manufactured in the Australian plant on the Gold Coast. However earlier this year construction ceased and all Tigé boats are now fully imported from Texas, USA.

David Thorpe, Tigé Australia and New Zealand General Manager, said the decision to cease local production came as a result of Tigé building a new state-of-the-art facility in Abilene, Texas.

“Initially we set up local production because Tigé was growing so fast in the US that they struggled to supply boats to Australia and New Zealand in a time-frame that suited our market,” he said.

“But the new state-of-the-art 135,000 square-foot plant is on a 40 acre site, which easily allows Tigé to build enough boats to satisfy both the
US market and the excess capacity of the Australian and NZ markets. They can build up to 10 boats a day, so we made the decision to concentrate on having an above-industry-standard customer service department, passionate Tigé salesmen and a strong Australian dealer network.”

David just returned from the new plant in Texas and said that one interesting feature of the new building was the large glass windows for visitors to watch the unique Tigé manufacturing process.

Tigé will continue to sponsor wakeboard championships, up-and-coming Australian riders and the ‘Tigé In Your Backyard Wakeboard Tour’.

“As the tour travels around all summer, it allows us to spend time and listen to our customers, dealers and team members’ needs to keep abreast of trends in family-style boats,” David said.

Specifications
Length 6.7m (22’)
Beam 2.59m
Seating capacity 14 people
Fuel capacity 144 litres
Test Prop Acme 13.5x16 four-blade
Test Engine GM Vortec 5.7L, 340HP
Priced From $95,000
Contact (07) 5522 0026
Email davidt@tigeboats.com.au
Website www.tige.com