Tigé RZR (2014-)

Brief Summary

For those who want a premium wakeboat, but suffer under the rules of lake limits or tow vehicles restricting the size of the boat, Tigé answers the call with the RZR. Razor sharp and full of features, this is the boat that will take performance and standards to the max while keeping the size down. This boat can accommodate the popular Alpha Z tower, comes standard with the Tigé Touch display screen, and all upholstery is diamond pleated and secured with UV resistant thread. Basically, it’s the whole premium package wrapped up in just 20’ (6.1 m).

Key Features

• 3-year bow-to-stern parts and labor limited warranty
• High flex gel coat
• Wet Sounds sound system with 4 speakers
• Aluminum ski pylon
• Black aluminum tower with fixed board racks
• 140-degree Convex rear-view ski mirror
• Fiberglass non-skid removable/collapsible swim platform
• Integrated insulated, self draining cooler
• Tige speedset cruise control
• Helm seat with flip-up bolster with storage underneath

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	20' / 6.10 m
Beam	94'' 2.38 m
Dry Weight	3,100 lbs. 1,406.13 kg
Tested Weight	3,600 lbs. 1,633 kg
Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	Open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	38 gal. 143.85 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Total Weight	3,600 lbs. 1,633 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	2.1 sec.
0 to 30	7.5 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	N/A
Load	2 persons, 7/20 fuel, no water, 50 lbs of gear
Climate	89 deg., 78 humid.; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 355-hp Indmar 5.7 M57
Std. Power	1 x 335-hp Indmar 5.7L DC Fusion57
Opt. Power	1 x 415-hp Indmar 6.0L L96 M60 1 x 350-hp Indmar 5.7L Premium M57

Captain's Report

Mission Statement

Now boaters with size limits due to lake restrictions or tow vehicle size no longer have to settle for second best because they need a smaller boat. The RZR takes the same hull as the entry level R20 and loads it up with all the high end features of the larger premium boats. Here, it’s all available in a package measuring just 20’ (6.1 m) in length.

Distinguishing Features

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Pickle Fork Bow.

This provides for a wider bow while still allowing the hull to taper into the conventional V. Coupled with carrying the beam fully forward this provides for a roomier bow.
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Tigé Touch Standard.

Tigé’s intuitive touch screen display has been a game changer that is fully loaded with features to control all of the functions on the RZR.
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Alpha Z Tower.

The RZR comes standard with the basic Vector tower, but it would be a rare customer indeed that didn't opt for the premium Alpha Z tower custom-designed in-house by Tigé engineers.
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Powered by Indmar.

Tigé has recently completed an agreement with Indmar Marine to power its line of boats, a deal we wholeheartedly approve of. This RZR comes standard with the 355-hp 5.7L M57 engine.

Performance

The Tigé RZR has a length overall of 20’ (6.1 m) and a beam of 94” (239 cm). With an empty weight of 3,100 lbs. (1,406 kg), 35% fuel and two people onboard we had an estimated test weight of 3,600 lbs. (1,633 kg).
With the 355-hp 5.7L Indmar M57 engine powering our test boat, we reached a top speed of 5300 rpm of 41.4 mph. At that speed we were burning 24.05 gph giving us a range of 59 miles.

Wake Speed

So that’ll get us to the play area quick enough. But once there, just how long can we ride for? Well, say for wakeboarders, the typical speed will be 18-23 mph. So let’s take the high end. 3000 rpm gave us 23.1 mph while burning only 7.3 gph. That means our RZR can keep up that pace for 4hrs and 42 minutes while still maintaining a 10% reserve.
Let’s pick it up to slalom skiing speeds between 28-36 mph. 3500 rpm had us running at just over 28 mph with a fuel burn of 9.5 gph. We could keep that up for 3 hours and 36 minutes. 4500 rpm translates into 36.9 mph with a 15.3 gph fuel burn. That means continual skiing for 2 hours and 12 minutes. Still with that 10% reserve.

Handling

With these boats it is not so much about the speed as it is about the wake and this boat can accommodate anyone from slalom skiers -- who need the wake to virtually disappear -- to wake surfers, that not only need the perfect size wake but even want a curl dialed in to perfection. It's all done with a combination of strategically filling the ballast sacs, adjusting speed, and adjusting the TAPS2 ride plate with the ConvexV hull.

When to Trim

The RZR turns like it’s on rails. In fast tight turns it almost feels like it’s going to spin out, but she never does. She does bleed off speed so don’t hesitate to add power. The speedset tow system will do that automatically. She stays flat when crossing wakes. When cruising, add a lot of TAPS trim, all the way down to number one on the gauge. Otherwise there’s a lot of bow porpoising, but that’s by design thanks to the ConvexV hull so no points taken away for that. This is a wake boat, not a cruising boat.

Playing TAPS

TAPS is the adjustable trim plate at the bottom center of the transom, so users can dial in the parameters they’re looking for in ways that were previously unavailable. The system is called TAPS2, for Tigé Adjustable Performance System. When used in conjunction with the ConvexV hull, the ride plate is dropped during regular cruise to maintain the optimum running attitude.

Getting Wake

Adding ballast and adjusting the TAPS plate allows for the perfect wake to be dialed in. Want a bigger wake? Adjust the TAPS2 plane up and the hooked stern drops. Want a flat wake? Bring the TAPS2 plane down to get a more laminar flow to the hull.

The ConvexV

Where other wakeboats have hull bottoms that run in a straight line until they get to the stern and then hook down, Tigé’s curves slightly upward. That drops the transom down, creating bigger wake. The more of the transom in the water, the more wake you will have.

Getting it On

Does it work? Oh yeah it does, but better with the ballast bags filled. Without any added ballast, activating the TAPS2 did make a difference: the bow came up and down with the control. But the difference in wake was negligible, at least from the driver’s seat. At the end of the towline, maybe it would be more pronounced. But the fact that it did anything at all is a step past other boats that have a fixed, hooked hull.

Big Wake

However, add ballast and things change dramatically. Now when the TAPS2 is brought up, the stern sinks way down, and the wake… well, if you want higher then perhaps Olympic ski jumping is more for you. We were able to go easily from a moderately flat wake to a monster wake-surfing wake, all with the touch of a throttle mounted button.

From an operational standpoint, it wasn’t pretty. No one would say that operating a boat with so much extra weight, and having the bow so high, is efficient or cost effective, but in the world of wakeboarding, it’s not about the driver’s comfort, it’s all about the wake and speed, and in this boat, you can have it your way.

Tigé Touch…

But all of this is of little consequence if you can’t get back to a favorite position the next day. With Tigé Touch, that can be done… and more. With its 6.5” (16.5 cm) touch screen, up to 25 different profiles can be created that contain information on boat speed, ballast bag levels, and TAPS adjustments, AND those profiles can be named after the friends that they are dialed in for. Tigé Touch also includes full control of all switches and tunes (regardless of what source they come from--stereo, MP3, Bluetooth streaming…) and even gives a readout of all gauges.

Features Walkthrough

Bow

Tigé incorporates a pickle fork bow design which allows for more room in the bow while still maintaining the characteristics of the of the V-hull. Unlike the typical bowrider configuration, with two V seats, this one remains completely filled in with padded seating. Storage is behind the port seatback leading into the console while the space under the seats is reserved for ballast sacs.

The level of quality in the RZR's fit-and-finish becomes immediately evident by looking at the premium handrails and quilted stitching. Under the center seat cushion is an insulated cooler keeping the drinks within easy reach of both the bow and cockpit. As the day winds die down, consider draining out some of the water from the melted ice otherwise it will likely slosh out when the throttle is hit.

Helm

For the helm, Tigé went with a vinyl brow stitched with UV resistant Gore Tenera thread over a dash panel with only three gauges to reduce clutter. The six-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a tilt base surrounded by more vinyl that's color matched to the interior upholstery.

The helm seat is equally high end with pleated upholstery, raised sides to the bottom and seatback, stainless framed flip down armrests, flip-up bolster and of course the entire assembly swivels and slides.

Cockpit and Sun Pad

Cockpit seating wraps around the full cockpit and provides a dedicated aft facing observers seat for watching the towline. The usual accommodations for storage are underneath and corner cushions flip over to reveal a carpeted step for entering and exiting the cockpit.

Behind, a full sun pad has a removable cushion to starboard to expose a non skid walkthrough. Beneath the two side hatches is access to storage and the stern ballast sacs. The battery switch is to port. Underneath is the standard M57 engine from Indmar putting out 355-hp.

Stern

To the stern is Tigé’s transom activity center. Aside from a stereo remote, there are two self draining storage compartments underneath the seats that are well-positioned to create a staging area for putting on boards. The swim platform has inlaid rubber matting that not only resists heat but provides an appropriate nonskid surface. The entire platform is nearly level with the water's surface.

Tower of Coolness

The RZR comes with the Tigé Vector anodized aluminum wakeboard tower with fixed board racks. This tower accomplishes the basic needs of a tower, but the optional vacuum-cast aluminum Alpha Z tower is much cooler.

Load Distribution

Tigé says the Alpha Z is "engineered to transfer the tower load to the main structure of the boat," a stronger and more rigid set-up than simply mounting the tower on the deck. The Alpha Z includes built-in dock lights and the tow point rotates to reveal the all-around nav light. Mounts are included so the tower can be accessorized with up to four Wet Sounds speakers. Swivel board racks are offered that have ratcheting clamps. And of course the entire assembly folds down to windshield height if clearance is an issue when storing or trailering.

Observations

It’s really hard not to appreciate the level of sophistication that went into the hull design when the results are seen firsthand. This boat went from producing nearly no wake at all to a monster wave with the perfect curl that can be put on either side of the boat. That level of sophistication is usually reserved for larger boats but with the RZR it is now possible in a shorter platform while maintaining the same level of fit and finish and high end accessories that Tigé customers have come to expect.