“WE TAKE PRIDE IN HOW MUCH PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING OUR BOATS, AND I THINK WE DO IT BETTER THAN ANY OTHER COMPANY.” —CHARLIE PIGEON ABOVE SEQUENCE: World champion wakesurfer Chase Hazen shreds the ocean-size Tigé wave, created by our patented ConvexV Hull.
Like many innovations, the ConvexV was a simple, elegant solution to a complex problem. Unlike planing hulls, the patented ConvexV design tapers up smoothly near the transom. The shape, in fact, mimics the runner of a wakeboard. That shape allows the boat to settle naturally and sit lower in the water. By eliminating the lift of a planing hull, the ConvexV produced something never before seen in an inboard—a clean, enticing, perfectly formed wake. That precise water-shaping ability is integral to the boat’s layout, not artificially created with cumbersome hardware to weigh a boat down and make it plow through the water. “It was pretty radical at the time, but we knew we had a better design,” Pigeon says. “And now customers are validating that it works.” And as with other innovations, the ConvexV—engineered by this iconoclast start-up— shook up the boating establishment and the established order. “We faced a lot of resistance at first,” Pigeon recalls. “People just assumed that when you build an inboard, you have to put a hook in the back.”
As Tigé loyalists will attest, those assumptions have been shattered. Once an underdog, Tigé Boats today draws acclaim from critics and owners alike. One fast lap around your favorite lake is enough to show you why. Models like the Tigé RZ4 combine breathtaking handling and agility with a comfortable all-day ride. A spin-off benefit, in a world of rising fuel prices, is that the hull minimizes drag and boosts fuel efficiency. In tandem with the TAPS2 system, the ConvexV delivers versatility that one-note planing hulls can’t touch. In its natural, water-displacing state, the hull creates monster wakes. Press the TAPS button, which automatically lowers a plate to trim the hull, and in less than five seconds the boat is transformed and dialed in for smooth slalom runs. The result is a line of high-style boats that segues smoothly between ever-evolving disciplines on the water. That approachable, adaptable nature makes a Tigé ideal for any sport, rider or skill level. The world’s only trimmable inboard conjures a glassy surface for the traditional water skier and wakeboarders get luscious liquid moguls to conquer (and a little showing off never hurt anyone). The latest evolution on the lake, of course, is wakesurfing. Those riders will hang ten behind a Tigé on a never-ending perfect wave that’s surfed without a tow rope. And don’t
forget the casual passenger. You know the one, the guy or girl who just wants to enjoy a day on the water, sunscreen in one hand and a cold beverage in the other. In other words, the whole family will approve. The engineering might sound complicated, but Pigeon, ever humble, says it was never rocket science. But his idea to reshape a hull ended up reshaping an entire industry. And with the hard work done, and the technical merits proven, this family business continues to break ground and advance the aquatic art. Its mission, Pigeon says, is simple as well: To make those precious days on the water effortless, thrilling and unforgettable. “We take pride in how much people are enjoying our boats, and I think we do it better than any other company,” he says. So taking a cue from Tigé, let’s keep things simple. Because the ConvexV isn’t working against the water, it’s working for everyone aboard—the driver, passenger and the rider who’s skimming, soaring or surfing out back. It’s hard to say who’s having the most fun.