The name alone–Ultré ZX–sounds exquisite and exotic, like something you just have to own.
People in the boating world took notice when Tigé Boats’ Ultré ZX was named winner of three major awards in 2025–Boating Magazine’s Boat of the Year, WakeWorld’s Innovation of the Year and Boating Industry’s Top Product.
And it all started right here in Abilene. Ever since Tigé moved its manufacturing operations to Abilene from Merced, California, in 1994, people in the industry and people on the lake have taken notice. Originally located in an old cookie factory in Abilene, Tigé opened a brand new, state-of-the-art plant in 2006 on Highway 36.
Twenty years later, the factory is humming, employing 200 people who currently produce 750 boats a year—with plans to scale toward 1,000 as the market rebounds.
Boats also are a discretionary item, which means they are subject to the ups and downs of the economy, noted Tigé Boats President Daniel Gutierrez.
“We feel we’re a luxury, active lifestyle company,” he said.
Tigé Boats took off in 1991 when Charlie Pigeon, whose career had been as an executive with many of the inboard boat manufacturers, had a revelation, “I know I can do better.” A year later, he proved it when his first model, the 2000SLM Comp, was voted Rookie of the Year by Waterski Magazine. He named his new company Tigé, an evolution of his childhood nickname of Tiger. By 1993 Tigé was roaring. The company had expanded to 13 countries worldwide.
Pigeon is quick to give credit to the people who staff the Abilene manufacturing plant. After Tigé was honored with Boating Magazine’s Boat of the Year award, Pigeon cited his employees.
“Our team earned this,” he said. “Boat of the Year from Boating Magazine is recognition of the passion and care our team put into creating the Ultré. We wanted to build something our owners would be as proud of as we are—a boat that delivers world-class surf performance and luxury experience every single time they hit the water.”
Today, Tigé distributes its boats through 75 dealerships coast-to-coast in the United States and through dealerships in Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East, making Abilene home to an international corporation. It’s not unusual to see people from those countries walking the streets of Abilene.
“A lot of people fly in here to see their boat being built,” said Courtney Wagley, director of marketing.
A tour of the plant where award-winning boats are made is an opportunity to see craftsmanship at its finest. Every step of the process, from making molds to applying layers of fiberglass to hand-crafting the upholstery to shrink-wrapping the finished product for shipping, is done with precision. Tigé specializes in wakesurfing and wakeboarding boats, with a patented hull and surf plates on the back to create a wake.
Some interesting tidbits about each boat:
• The wiring harness weighs 70 pounds because of the electronics on board.
• The tow point is in the middle, rather in the back. “It’s easier to get people up and out of the water from that angle,” Wagley said.
• All Tigé boats come with a Ford engine just like in an F250 truck, only marinized. Options include torque range from 400 to 575.
• Boats range in length from 20 feet to 25 feet.
• Customers get to choose from 36 colors for upholstery and decor.
• All boats get their final test at Lake Fort Phantom Hill.
• Prices range from $150,000 to $450,000.
Most customers, about 70 percent, pre-order their boats so they can get exactly what they want, from color schemes to length to engine size. With 75 dealers in the United States, it’s easy to walk in and view the inventory to get a general idea of the boat of your dreams. Locally, West Texas Water Sports at 5680 IH 20 East, carries Tigé boats.
Founder and owner Charlie Pigeon had a vision for a unique experience when he first dreamed about the boat he would design, and he was rewarded.
“Tigé boats blew customers away–with their breakthrough styling, multi-sports versatility, roominess, luxury trim, easy to drive and a thrilling experience on the water” a brochure says.
Just like in 1991, when Pigeon envisioned his award winning boat, the Tigé team today is dedicated to professionalism and innovation. Last year, four new models were introduced.
“New products attract new people,” Gutierrez, the president said. “That’s always the goal.”
A Tigé brochure boasts that the company is “Still Pushing Forward” with its innovation: “Thirty-five years in and we’re not slowing down. For 2026, we’ve poured Ultré inspiration throughout our entire lineup…Our team of boat fanatics, riders and engineers have dialed in every detail. The result? A fleet where world-class surf performance and luxury come standard.”
Texas leads the nation in Tigé sales, with the Abilene dealership being one of the top. Tigé’s Abilene manufacturing plant—its only factory—is unique in that it’s a “start-to-finish” site. Most companies build boats in pods located throughout the United States. A bragging point is that 98 percent of the parts that go into a Tigé boat are made in the U.S.
Another bragging point is the high retention rate for employees. Wagley, the director of marketing, and Gutierrez are good examples. Wagley, who grew up in Abilene, has been with Tigé for over 13 years. Gutierrez grew up in Kansas and was heavy into water sports.
“I was a big time water skier and wakeboarder back then,” he said.
Gutierrez has been with Tigé for 22 years, starting as an entry level graphic designer. He was elevated to president in 2018. Tigé Boats brought an international company to Abilene in 1994 and over a span of 32 years, has built a reputation as an industry leader. It’s a good match that works both ways.
“We love being here,” Gutierrez said.
Wagley and Gutierrez are far from outliers. Across the company, from the boat builders on the production floor to the executive team, employees routinely log 15, 20, even 30-plus years at Tigé. The management team alone averages 18.5 years of tenure. That continuity extends to the founding family. Charlie Pigeon’s sons, Blake and Ben, both grew up around the business and now serve as directors and shareholders, carrying forward the vision their father started in 1991.
1801 TX Hwy 36 | Abilene, TX 79602 |
p. (325) 676-7777 | f. (325) 673-1135 | tige.com
SCHEDULE A FACTORY TOUR
Tigé Factory tours are fun, informative and will give you a first–hand look at how Tigé achieves the highest quality, best-engineered wakesurf and wakeboarding boat in the industry. Just drop us an email for more information.
WHERE TO BUY IN ABILENE
West Texas Water Sports
5680 IH 20 East
Abilene, TX 79601
325-673.8443
westtexaswatersports.com
By Loretta Fulton
Photos Courtesy of Tigé Boats
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