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WATERSKI MagazineAfter settling into the cockpit of Tigi's all-new 2050, I took a quick look around. There wasn't much “new” to look at, save the upgraded upholstery and color. The interior arrangements were everything I expected out of an inboard: driver's seat, closed bow, two-person passenger seat, rear bench, padded engine box. Nothing special here, I thought. Then I folded my palm around the throttle arm and blasted out of the Lake Nacimiento (California) marina. Nearly 100 yards later, I took my second breath and popped open the engine box. In bright blue splendor and glory sat $9,000 of marine muscle, MerCruiser's highly touted Scorpion 377, aptly dubbed the “Super Scorpion.” This was no ordinary ski boat, but 2,700 pounds of fiberglass with a rocket between the gunwales.
On the outside, the new boat from the Abilene, Texas, builder looks as quick as the limited-edition engine in its belly. Tigi took last year's 2000 and 2100 and added nearly half a foot to the overall length to create the 2050 and 2150 (see January 1997). The model additions to the Tigi line give the company six different boats of varying lengths. While the rounded lines give the “upgraded” 2000 a more stylish look, the added length – and 2 inches of beam – make it a better ski boat for slaloming families. There's room for everybody's ski gear.
Yet there remains one constant that skiers will surely appreciate: the ability to change wake shape for any discipline, skill level or skiing speed on the fly. TAPS (Tigi Adjustable Performance System, now patented) remains basically unchanged for 1997. The system still works off a hydraulically powered trim plate mounted on the transom of the boat to lift the hull slightly in and out of the water to reduce drag and, ultimately, change the water flow underneath and wakes behind. But this year, the TAPS setting is mounted on the Morse throttle knob (as opposed to last year's dash placement), and it makes wake adjustment a snap.
You won't find too many differences in the wake quality of the new 2050 when comparing it to either the smaller 2000 or larger 2100, though. TAPS makes sure of that. Slalom is the 2050's best event, but wakeboarding isn't far behind with the addition of Tigi's newest option, an extended pylon called the LaunchTower. The LaunchTower, which gives riders three different heights to choose from (up to 46 inches off the floor), is available through local Tigi dealers. It is not a factory-installed option, however.
The innovative pylon, trend-setting styling and ample size, when coupled with the unique Scorpion 377, make the all-new Pre2050wt anything but an ordinary boat. It's a fiberglass blast. – Rob May
