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WATERSKI MagazineTigé Switch i
OVERVIEW
You can call the Tigé Switch i the boat of champions, considering Jamie Beauchesne and Chris Rossi train behind it faithfully. And if it's good enough for these guys, then darn it, it's good enough for skiers everywhere. The Switch i is the blood brother of Tigé's new closed-bow Switch ci — it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to call them fraternal twins. The boats share the same great wake performance and offer roominess not normally associated with a tournament-level ski boat.
But these twins aren't identical. The Switch i opens up the bow for more of a crowd and a little more chill time as opposed to the ci's hard-core tournament aspirations. A quick adjustment of the TAPS2 switch builds the wake for beginning and intermediate wakeboarders. At the helm, the driver gets a swiveling chair that is comfortable and offers excellent visibility. In its 20-foot class, the Switch i offers the roominess of a larger vessel. This is especially noticeable in the walk-through to the open bow and around the engine box, which has a low profile. The Switch i offers the best of both worlds when it comes to skiing performance and family multisport versatility.
SKIING
The Switch i is a deep and wide design, but it skis comparably to the closed-bow Switch ci and other tournament-quality boats. Use the TAPS2 to your advantage, shaping and molding the wake to fit your needs. Bring the spray to almost nil with the TAPS2 adjusted down to the 1/2 to 1 range. It also allows you to manipulate the rooster tail and wake density to your liking depending on what speed and rope length you like to ski. The value price point of the Switch i allows first-time boat buyers to get into water skiing at a good buy.
WAKEBOARDING
For the skier who enjoys the once-in-a-while wakeboard session, the Tigé Switch i will more than do the trick. Once you're done with your early morning slalom run, entertain a crew of eight riders. That will be enough weight for respectable wake size with excellent shape, thanks to TAPS2.
LOWDOWN
• Shares the same soft, faint ski wakes as the Switch ci, but the open bow allows extra room for those load-'em-up-and-go wakeboarding sessions.
• The bolster seat offers great visibility.
• Plenty of storage space in the front under the consoles and in the rear under the gull wing.
• Our testers wish the seating reclined a little more for added comfort.
• Fiberglass non-ski swim platform, aluminum ski pylon and transom grab handle.
• Coolers are insulated and self-draining.
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 47.2 mph 5,000 rpm
Accel. to 30 mph 5.2 sec. 127.3 ft.
Accel. to 36 mph 6.7 sec. 202 ft.
Noise Levels (db) Neutral 60 D 63 R, 36 mph 91 D 95 R
SPECS
Length 20 ft. Beam 96 in.
Seating Capacity 8
Fuel Capacity 30 gal.
Test Prop Acme 13 x 12 3-blade
Test Engine PCM Excalibur 5.7L, 330 HP
