Tigé Boats is putting its money where its mouth is this month with the Tigé $1,000 Test Drive Challenge. Test drive a Tigé wakeboard boat during the month of May, then demo a comparable model from one of Tigé’s competitors. If you buy the competitor’s boat, Tigé will give you a grand. We spoke with Tigé Boats President Rick Correll about the ins and outs of the new promotion and found out why Tigé is so confident in its wakeboard boats.
First off, how does the promotion work? Fundamentally, it’s a demo challenge. We’ve worked really hard on our product over the past several years and we know there is no better product on the market than ours. There are some bigger names, but no better products. The way the promotion works is that if you demo one of our competitors’ boats and you demo a Tigé in the month of May, and you buy the other guy’s boat we’ll give you $1,000 and our sympathy.
That’s not chump change. What makes you guys so confident in Tigé boats that you’re willing to make that wager? Our boats are superior. We use the best vinyls, the best resins, the best gelcoats and the best construction processes. We know after people experience the solid ride, the handling and the ease of use of the TigéTouch, they’ll see that we build a better boat. Tigé boats are built by enthusiasts who use boats every day — not a giant corporation. We’re more like a Ferrari. They’re built on racing, because that’s what they do, so they transfer that into their production cars. That’s the same thing we do. We use these boats every single weekend.
What are some things that separate Tigé from their competitors that customers will experience during a demo? One is that you can have a conversation no louder than we’re having right now going 30 mph down the lake. Tigé boats are quiet, solid and rattle-free. One thing we all hate here is rattles in a boat. Our tower doesn’t shake, the speakers aren’t bouncing, the boards aren’t bouncing in the racks, and the engine is whisper quiet. You’re going to feel solid. You’re going to feel like you’re in something different. That’s why we do this demo challenge. If you sit in a Tigé, you will notice a dramatic difference. From ice chest placement and the way the seats fold to the walkthrough on the starboard side and the flip-over cushion so you don’t ruin your upholstery boarding the boat — the list is endless. And when you get in a Tigé and see the level of detail we put into our boats, you can’t deny that it’s a better boat. There are some people who are brand stuck, but we want to get them in our boats anyway, because we believe we can unstick them.
That’s fundamentally what this is about, right? Getting people who haven’t considered your Tigé in the past into your boats so they can appreciate all those details. Exactly. A thousand dollars is a lot of money. We considered a number of different denominations, but settled on $1,000 because that’s worth driving across town to try something new. If we believe in our product, let’s put it out there and stand behind it.
You don’t do something like this if you don’t think your boat matches up. It’s a strong statement for us. We look at ourselves as a number one contender. We might not be 85 years old. We might not have the name recognition because your grandfather’s grandfather didn’t have one, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have exactly what you’re looking for in a boat.
We talked about some of the design and construction differences, but what are some differences testers will notice behind the boat? The first thing you will notice is that a Tigé can be dialed in many different ways, thanks to our TAPS2 performance, Convex V hull and multiple ballast options. This allows you to create the wake you want for the level or style of riding that you do — all at the push of a button.
What about wakesurfing? What are some things that separate Tigé when it comes to surfing? Wakesurfing is a huge aspect that sets us apart. We have a very versatile surf wave that can also be dialed in for all styles of surfing and skim boarding. The awesome surf wave is also due to the TAPS2 and Convex V hull, but the big thing about a Tigé is that you can surf either side of the boat. If you ride goofy, no worries, just hit your profile in TigéTouch and the system will adjust to your specifications and you get the same great wave as the guys on the other side. On the demo, try setting up the competitor’s boat on both sides and I am sure you will come away saying they don’t stack up against a Tigé.
Our readers are riders. What are some rider-friendly features that they shouldn’t miss during a demo? Our boats are designed to really be used and riders are our focus. There are so many details, but the world-class wakes are the first thing they will notice. On a more subtle level, they will notice board storage like our surf bimini that puts you wakesurf boards safely stored on top of the bimini, rear storage in the activity center for ropes, gloves, soap or anything else the rider may need. All of that storage space leaves for plenty of room people and top it off with Wet Sounds audio to make sure the riders can hear their favorite tunes. That’s just a short list, because we could go on for hours.
Is this promotion at 100 percent of Tigé dealers across the country? Yes, at all of our U.S. dealers during the month of May. In June, we’ll run the same promotion across Canada.
You’re almost two weeks into the promotion, what kind of feedback have you received? It’s gone really well. We haven’t had anyone claim the $1,000 yet and we’ve sold some boats already.
Find out more about the Tigé $1,000 Test Drive Challenge at tige.com/challenge.
|## 2011 Tige Boat Guide App| |Download the 2011 Tige Boat Guide to your iPhone and iPad. The app, which includes every 2011 Tige wakeboard boat, is packed full of the important information you need to know before buying your next wakeboarding boat. Watch videos that highlight each wakeboard boat’s upgraded features, wake shape and size, and overall performance. Next, flip and zoom your way through extensive photo galleries and look up everything from each boat’s length and seating capacity to maximum ballast and horsepower. When you’re ready to take a test drive, use the app to request a Tige Boats brochure and locate your local dealer. Download the Free Tige 2011 Boat Guide App Now!|
