1997 Tige PRE 2002, and a bunch of other budget boats?

[cavilry]

Hey all!

I have been searching around for hours on every forum I can think of but can not find any information about how this boat would work for Wakeboarding. We just got ride of our "family" boat in hopes of picking up something better for wakeboarding. I really have been looking for some older Supras in my price range (under 10K) but have not had much luck...at least not with any decent stringers.

We found a surprisingly clean 1997 Tige PRE 2002 in our price range that just needs some (a good amount) of interior work. It runs great, has a nice sound system set up, a nice tower, and the hull looks good. Any input as to how this would work for a group of beginner-intermediate wakeboarders? We are not looking for HUGE, massive, ungodly wakes but we do want something that will allow us to continue to improve our abilities and have some good times on the (rather low) lakes/reservoirs here in California.

Any input would be VERY appreciated!

Thanks!

Chris

[cavilry]

For reference, here is the link to the boat: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/2834461468.html

Any help GREATLY appreciated. Even a point in the right direction to find an answer?

Thanks!

[bmock50]

From what I've seen, this looks like a really good deal.

[ridininmd]

It's a old ski hull with a crappy wake. Notoriously hard to get cleaned up, if you want to wakeboard keep looking. Check out the budget wakeboat chart. Boats that throw great wakes do it with a lot of weight, they also throw decent beginner wakes if you don't weight them. And as an added plus there's actually a demand for them so you'll have buyers when you're ready for something newer.

As far as the deal there is no way to tell if it's decent or not without seeing the interior. If it needs to be totally redone you're going to be into it for a few grand by the time it's finished. You can buy patterns off the shelf for these older boats so you'll have to have someone make all the skins=$$$$

Anyone remember what year Tige switched from wood stringer to composite? I think it was right around 97 but I don't remember for sure, check into that before you get to far with it.

[cavilry]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Yeah, I have been looking at the chart here religiously...the problem is I think a lot of other people have been too, these boats are a lot more money for a lot worse condition. The wood runners on a lot of these are in pretty horrible shape. Here are what I have found in my area that are in my price range and MAYBE worth looking at.

http://stockton.craigslist.org/boa/2814115524.html

http://modesto.craigslist.org/bod/2795692252.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2794564762.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/2840155638.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/boa/2791698657.html No idea what that is...but its cheap.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/2843141409.html thinking this would be a headache.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2840625499.html one of my favorites...just so pricey as he does not believe the stringers were ever done.

[ridininmd]

If you only go out with a couple people I'd give this one a good look
http://stockton.craigslist.org/boa/2814115524.html

If you have a big crew the Supra is for sure worth checking out
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2840625499.html

Original wood stringers aren't necessarily a deal breaker. Walk the entire floor in your bare feet to check for soft spots. Then put a wrench on the motor mount bolts and see if they spin. If they don't and the floor is solid the stringers are more than likely ok. No way to know for sure without pulling the floors. But if they pass those tests they are in pretty good shape and should keep you running a few years at least.

[cavilry]

Thank you once again for the feed back! Seriously, it's really appreciated.

This is what the Saltare owner told me when I first contacted him about 4 months ago (I am surprised it has not sold):

As far as history, I believe that I am the third owner of the boat. The boat was originally first sold in New Hampshire. The second owner, who was a friend of mine, purchased the boat and either had it shipped or drove it out here from NH. He being a master mechanic took very good care of the boat. I purchased the boat from the second owner in 2001 when I was still living in Fremont. Over the ten years that I've owned it has continued to work very well for me and I have taken equally as good of care of it. It has been a lot of fun for my family and myself. I purchased and 09' Chaparral 256 SSX last September from the Chicago area and would love to keep both boats but it just isn't practical. I love the lines and layout of the Saltare and will miss her when she goes.

For the age of the boat it is in good condition. The upholstery is in good condition with the exception of a couple of small tears (approx. 1") which were there when I bought it and haven't gotten any bigger. The carpeting is in fair condition and honestly could stand to be replaced in one area which means you would do the whole thing. There is a spot on the floor at the front left corner of the engine cover that has worn away and has about a 6" holiday. This is the spot where your foot would pivot as you walk to the front of the boat and also where your feet rest when you sit in the rear facing passenger (spotters) seat. The engine is sound and runs well as does the transmission. There is one spot in the floor just behind the engine cover that you can feel just a little flex in. Best of my knowledge the stringers are still in good condition. I didn't detail the teak this season so it could stand to be done. The swim deck has 2 areas that need to be repaired. Both were back up "oopses", one mine and one someone else's. The stainless rail and two rows of teak are damaged but its not a big repair job. The stainless rail is still available from Supra. The wood I never inquired about due to the fact that I am a woodworker by trade and would have just duplicated those myself. Possibly the wood is still available too.

You asked if the boat had been redone and the answer is no. It has been well cared for though. I have attached some more pictures for you to look at. Let me know if you require further information or would like to see the boat. I see that you're in the 408, that puts you about 2-2 1/2 hours from me. The registration is paid for 2013, I just received the tags the other day.

[cavilry]

Just jumped to the top of the list: http://stockton.craigslist.org/boa/2843812475.html contacted him already

[cavilry]

and yet another person I contacted

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2844009364.html