Boat & Sail

Builder · Premium · Abilene, Texas

Tigé

Texas premium wake builder, 1991-founded. Private. Convex-V hull form and TAPS auto-trim system are the brand differentiators.

Tige wake boat throwing a wake
Founded
1991
Headquarters
Abilene, Texas
Ownership
Tige Boats (private)
Tier
Premium
Website
tige.com

Tigé is the premium wake-boat brand from Abilene, Texas, founded in 1991. The brand has stayed private and has not been acquired or licensed. Production stays at the Abilene facility.

The brand argument is the Convex-V hull form (a concave-to-convex hull cross-section unique to Tigé) and the TAPS auto-trim system. The Convex-V gives the boat a different surf-wave shape than the v-drive flat-bottom hulls used by MasterCraft and Malibu.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Tigé Z-series (Z1 / Z3)

Z is the volume mid-tier line. V-drive Indmar inboard, Convex-V hull, TAPS trim system, surf system.

Things we like

  • · Convex-V hull gives a different surf-wave shape than competing brands
  • · TAPS auto-trim simplifies surf-wave operation

Things we don't

  • · Smaller dealer footprint than MasterCraft or Malibu
  • · Convex-V is unfamiliar to buyers transitioning from competing brands

Tigé RZ-series (RZ2 / RZX / RZX-3)

RZ is the flagship line. V-drive Indmar inboard, Convex-V hull, premium trim and audio.

Things we like

  • · RZX-3 surf wave shape is unique in the segment
  • · Premium fit-and-finish at segment top

Things we don't

  • · Pricing premium over Z-series at equivalent LOA
  • · Smaller used pool than MasterCraft X-series

Buyer's guide

The Tigé story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Tigé was founded in 1991 by Charlie Pigeon in Texas. The brand pioneered the Convex-V hull form as an alternative to the flat-bottom v-drive used by MasterCraft and Malibu.

Tigé has stayed privately owned throughout. Production stays in Abilene, single-site.

Design philosophy

The Convex-V hull is the brand argument. The hull cross-section moves from concave at the bow to convex at the transom, which gives the boat a unique surf-wave shape.

TAPS (Tigé Adjustable Performance System) is the auto-trim system. Indmar inboard rigging across the lineup.

Used-market notes and known issues

TAPS actuator service at 5-year mark.

Indmar Monsoon raw-water pump impeller 100-hour service item.

Tower hardware on pre-2019 hulls had powder-coat issues, service kit available.

Dealer network smaller than MasterCraft or Malibu, concentrated in inland-lake markets.

Resale

Tigé holds resale at the upper-mid premium wake segment. Three-year depreciation runs 14 to 20 percent on RZ-series hulls.

Where Tigé fits

Buyers cross-shop Tigé against MasterCraft, Malibu, Nautique, and Centurion. The argument is the Convex-V hull form and the TAPS auto-trim system.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

What is Convex-V?
A hull cross-section unique to Tigé that varies from concave at the bow to convex at the transom. Gives the boat a different surf-wave shape and ride characteristics than the flat-bottom v-drive hulls used by MasterCraft and Malibu.
Tigé or MasterCraft?
Different hull forms (Convex-V vs flat-bottom v-drive) give different surf-wave shapes. MasterCraft has larger volume and dealer footprint; Tigé gives the unique hull form. Cross-shop on hull-form preference and dealer proximity.
What's the maintenance cost on an RZX?
Annual service on Indmar Raptor V-8 runs $1,400 to $2,200. Bottom paint $400 to $1,000. Storage $1,800 to $5,500. Insurance for a $180,000 hull runs $1,200 to $2,400.
Where are Tigés built?
Abilene, Texas. Single-site, privately owned production.

Compare

Categories Tigé fits.

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