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WATERSKI MagazineTo understand Tigi's PRE2200iwt, just remember the automobile advertisements that say “wider is better.” In the case of Tigi's premier 22-footer, wider means a full 100-inch beam, the widest of any inboard ski boat by a margin of several inches.
If you are wondering exactly why wider is considered better, think of what's always in short supply in your average inboard ski boat. Hint: space. By pushing hull width beyond the 8-foot mark, Tigi designers gave passengers that extra bit of foot and elbow room they've been longing for, along with enough storage capacity to keep the seats and walkways free of water-sports equipment and accompanying baggage.
The 2200 is a product of Tigi's new breed of multipurpose craft known as “precision water-sports tow boats.” In the past, active water-sports enthusiasts were confined to specialty ski boats that sacrificed open-water performance and comfort to obtain high-end towing qualities. To eliminate this compromise, Tigi created new hull designs that combined the best qualities of runabouts and traditional inboard ski boats, and then mated these hulls to the revolutionary TAPS system.
The result is the world's first line of inboard boats with variable-performance hulls. TAPS allows the 2200 to glide across rough water, flatten out for smaller wakes in the slalom course, and then drop down to push up the big, slow-speed wakes that boarders love.
But building the industry's most versatile inboards is only half of this Abilene, Texas, builder's goal. The other half of the equation is building a high-quality product that will hold its value and provide years of trouble-free service.
These days, most every boatbuilder is talking quality. But Tigi wants to do more than tell; the company wants to show the difference skilled craftsmanship and premium ingredients can make. A list of the materials that go into each Tigi boat includes many items that cost three to five times the industry average, while processes such as the hand-fitting and hand-lamination of the composite hull, deck and stringer system require many additional hours of skilled labor.
While most passengers will never know of the commitment to quality that lies beneath the glossy finish of the 2200, they'll certainly appreciate the comfortable seating and generous storage capacity the wide-body design provides. Bow passengers get one of the longest, widest seating sections of any boat in the 22-foot range, while passengers behind the windshield get those precious extra inches that make the difference between wedging and lounging. Storage space is equally generous, including not only the usual storage compartments, but also a full-width transom locker and an oversized console locker.
Slip behind the 2200's contoured dashboard, let your hands fall naturally on the ergonomically placed wheel, push the competition-style throttle forward, and you will instantly put to rest any concerns over this wide-body's performance abilities. Not only does the boat handle and track on par with many competition-ready tow boats, it offers an exceptional combination of all-event wakes.
Our test team enjoyed low, spray-free slalom wakes, and then dialed up the TAPS system to create large, well-formed boarding wakes. This towing
versatility combined with the boat's excellent open-water performance and roomy interior make the 2200 an excellent choice for uncompromising ski boat owners who want it all.
