Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

I find myself in the incredibly lucky position of my wife wanting to upgrade our 2012 A20. She really wants more space and says if we're going to go for it we should go BIG...so she wants the extra space a 24' provides. Of course I'm pretty stoked on all the upgrades that means (better vinyl, ballast plumbing, surf gate, etc). To be clear, we LOVE our Axis and it has been beyond amazing for the last two years. We ride a lot (550 hours on the boat in less than two years), and figured we'd better upgrade before those hours get too much higher and we're not able to sell it or value is really hit hard.

We haven't been able to find the A24 that has everything we want (410 motor or up, options, colors, etc) anywhere, so she got to thinking maybe we jump crazy up to a Malibu 24 MXZ because we found a perfect one and don't want to wait for an Axis to be ordered/built. (I know, I know...we are stupid) She has been out with ACL replacement and is a month away from riding again, and I truly live for being out there every weekend...so we can't imagine not having a boat for 3 or 4 months while something is being built. Plus she loved the comfort, quality and style of that MXZ.

Recognizing all of our, as well as my, bias towards loving Axis I still wanted to get your opinions...what are pros/cons to the MXZ versus A24 besides price? Of course total price difference is big, but the way we will do the finances puts the monthly payments in the same ballpark. I care most about wake quality, reliability, wake quality, ease/cost of maintenance, wake quality, handling, comfort...and wake quality.

So far the wake quality of my A24 has been amazing but I only have 13hrs on her. My hatred for the MXZ would be the touch screen, I think they are slow and annoying, not sure if they updated the touch pad. My buddy's is so slow and the ballast interface also annoys me.

Get a 24 and call it a day.

Go to your dealer and build an A24!!!! You're going to be a 2nd time Axis buyer and if they won't give you a great deal then go shop elsewhere. You can have an A24 in about 5-7 weeks I'm sure.

By the way, what motor does the MXZ have? From what I'm reading on The MalibuCrew forum is that you'll need the LS3 at minimum

Local dealer is totally awesome and been great to us, just have all their build spots sold out so soonest were looking at a boat is June/July...know it's crazy but being without a boat for some of our favorite ride months is a total last resort! lol Plus I'm thinking our ability to trade in ours will continue to diminish as we a) put hours on it and b) peak buying season starts to set in.

24 MXZ has the 409, which is the same motor we want to put in our A24...not as crazy as the ls3 but I think it will be ok for us but for sure no less than that. What is making it hard is almost every A24 in stock on the west coast only has the 350 in it.

Both are awesome boats but very different. If you are looking out west, check out www.idahowatersports.com that's our dealer and they just brought in a new A24 with the ls3. Sweet boat and they put some pretty nice options on it. I am jealous of your position. If I had the money we would probably be in a 23lsv. Having said that we already love our A22 and have only been on the water once. Can't wait for summer.

Haha, have stared at that pic of the A24 at IWS quite a lot over the last few days! I was really tempted but it is a bit too much sparkle LOL. Would be cool if maybe a dark boat, but ended up not digging the silver sparkle on the white boat. That LS3 engine though had me almost tempted on buying the boat, powdercoating the tower black and throwing a wrap on the outside.

Are you close to Idaho? Do you know the guys at IWS? If not I can hook you up with the sales manager. Been buddies for almost 15 years. Great guys and great dealership. BTW they have had that A24 out a couple times and the ls3 at elevation is a must.

That would be awesome! I'm all the way down in California, but grew up in Idaho and go there at least once a year for vacation....always ready for another excuse to head up there. I wouldn't want that white/silver sparkle one they have, but would be great if they have a quick build spot open. All the local folks are sold out until summer.

Oh and update, Wife and I took a really good look at the MXZ and it is out. Beautiful boat, but way too much bow and a little too crazy for our taste. Back to the tried and true A24 if we can get one, or also looking at the new MB F22 Tomcat...for the money that boat seems great too.