Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

Do you need to have the 20 hour check by the dealer before you can start towing and loading up the ballasts?

I will finish the break in out of town while on a long weekend so I'm just wondering if Im okay to start wakeboarding etc or do I need to get boat to dealer first?

I would change the oil after the initial 20 before pulling with ballast.

There's always a lot of debate on these break-in topics. The biggest thing in my opinion is to vary the rpm's and not cruise at the same speed for an extended period of time. I've read where people slam their boat from Day 1 and others that absolutely baby theirs until exactly 20 hours. I try to be somewhere in the middle.


PCM Recommendation
• After the engine is thoroughly warmed up, and the boat is underway, open the throttle to wide open throttle until maximum RPM is reached. DO NOT EXCEED MAXIMUM RPM. (RPM should cease climbing after 10 to 20 seconds).


• Reduce the throttle to 2800 - 3000 RPM, and cruise at or below this speed for 1/2 hour. Reduce the speed to idle. Go to wide open throttle until maximum RPM is reached and operate for approximately 1 minute. Reduce throttle to 2800-3000 RPM and operate for a few minutes. (Bringing the engine speed from idle to wide open throttle will load the engine and assist in seating the piston rings). This cycle should be repeated from time to time during the first 5 hours of operation, but wide open throttle should not be sustained for more than 1 minute.

It talks about what to do during first 5 hours but when can you start wakeboading?
I don't see where it says when you can start towing people.

I was told to vary the speeds for the first ten hours. I could wakeboard after ten but without ballast or wedge. Something about it the motor having break in oil that has a lower viscosity then the oil they use after the service. But I know you'll get much debate on this topic

Yeah, the "break-in" oil should get some good responses. Just make sure you check the oil levels during the break-in period. Young engines tend to consume more oil. I paid slightly north of $300 for my 20 hour service. 2 hours of labor plus the parts.

I did my 20 hour service at 43 hours. I was at 17 before a week long trip so I called the dealership and they said no big deal, just check the oil (never needed to add any) and bring it in after your trip. I was towing well before 20 hours. Probably by 10, but I was running heavy from the second hour hauling people/stuff into a camp.

^^^Good info, keep us updated on any oil consumption issues. I've debated doing just that as we're around 12 hours now and have a week long trip coming up in a couple weeks but figured I'd play it safe and get it done before and be good for the rest of the summer.