Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

I am fairly close to finally upgrading my 1998 direct drive. I now find myself surfing about 75% of the time, skiing 15%, pulling a tuber or boarding the other 10%. I was originally looking at used 22-23' v-drives before I stumbled on the A24. Seems like a whole lotta boat for the money. Love the walkthrough bow, and figure the additional size will be great when we have a crowd, but also to handle chop during the day once traffic picks up.

My concerns are basically twofold:

(1) Is this thing even decent for skiing? I am not trying to run a course anymore, but still enjoy freeskiing somewhat aggressively from time to time...and the boss skis more than she surfs (for now). I also want it to be decent for kids to ski at slower speeds without having to scale a quarter pipe to cross the wake. I have been behind other V-drives that ski pretty well with only the front ballast full, but I don't have any experience on a boat quite this large. Unfortunately, my dealer does not have one in stock for me to water test.

(2) Realizing this is a biased crowd, what are your thoughts on overall Axis quality? Good friend of mine has an A22 and has had some complaints about fit and finish (screws aren't straight, upholstery cuts around cupholders and speakers are uneven, and he's battling a recurring issue with one ballast pump). I understand it is a budget boat and am fine sacrificing the bells and whistles, but want to make sure it is built well enough to stand the test of time. I have visited the plant, which seemed fairly impressive. Nice that they share a plant with Malibu, but Bayliner shares a plant w/ Sea Ray if you know what I mean. Based on your experience, how is initial fit and finish and how do you think these boats will hold up 10-15 years from now?

Thanks a ton in advance, the info on this forum has been super helpful...

I have an A24. I've also had a 2011 A22. The fit, finish, and quality have come a ways in those 3 years for the better. As for skiing, you are talking about a 4500lb boat...dry weight with a hull that had wakeboarding and surfing when designed. So, don't expect flat wakes at 26-30mph recreational skiing. For kids the wake will be even bigger at 18-19mph but will still be clean with no white wash to roll on top of skis when kids tend to sloooooowly cross wakes their first couple days. Anything less than 18mph you'll have a big wake of wash that any beginner skier would be slightly intimidated by. This goes for all the Axis line and pretty much all the modern v-drives. They tend to clean up at 18-19mph with a couple brands that clean up even higher, around 20-21mph. I think you'll be happy with the surfing and wakeboarding aspect and ease of the A24. Balance the weight left and right then add some bow ballast and go. All the Axis models like somewhere around a 60/40 or close to 50/50 weight ration (rear to front) for the best, clean, and firm wake for wakeboarding. Surfing is even easier, fill tanks, fill 750-1100lb sacks in the rear, fill the bow, and go. As for room and storage, it's a no brainer because there's ample room for toys. As for longevity of the Axis boats, I can't speak on that since I get a new boat every 2-3yrs. I've never had any ballast issues or electrical issues with any of my Axis boats. Any little flaw I saw upon taking delivery of my custom ordered Axis boats were dealt with either immediately or on the first service by my dealer. Dealer relationship is also key.

I had a 2010 a22 that I put almost 500 hours on before I traded it in for a 15 a22. All of those hours were from pulling riders and we spent countless hours with kids and adults climbing through it. The vinyl started separating on the back seat right before I traded it in. My buddy with an 07 malibu also had his seat rip in the same location. Other than that the boat was awesome. I am very sure that boat would would hold up well over a long period of time.s

I ski behind an '13 A20 at 32-34mph at 15' off and the wake is good for you if you're not running a course.
I'm not exactly sure how close the A24 wake will be (better because a bigger footprint or worse from footprint/weight). Make sure to ski with as few people as possible in the boat though (driver/spotter). Skiing with 8 people in the boat makes a noticeable difference (obviously).

I haven't done much skiing at 22 or 28 off but there is a significant hole created on the outside of the wake that close, so even though the wake itself isn't tall compared to the water, it does create a psuedo tall wake compared to a nice skiboat.

I have taught many people to ski with our A20, and the biggest problem with it is your own waves when you turn around. Otherwise, the actual wake height when behind the boat isn't any more a problem than most other boats.


Fit and finish could use some work (which is to be expected since it is significantly cheaper than a malibu). I haven't ever purchased a new boat besides the A20 so I can't really compare but there were a bunch of minor problems with ours. Nothing that ever kept us from being able to ski, but little things like screws falling out of the window holders, deck trac not lined up, tiny pinhole in hull, 3 spots of poor gel coat, wedge sensor always on even with wedge up, trailer brake system broke first day, ect. My dealer fixed most of the issues without charge, the only thing they didn't fix was the deck trac but we didn't make a fuss about it.

Also, the quick release tower knobs were screwed into a helicoil (typically something you put in if you strip the threads out). I can't remember if all towers are helicoiled, but the tower should really be tapped, and not helicoiled.

All of these minor problems were not a cause for concern for myself. Everything was fixable and warrantied for the most part and nothing happened that prevented us from being able to use the boat.

I had the same dilemma before i bought mine last year. I knew the dealer before the sale, knew he preferred to slalom ski still, and would frequently take his demo A22 for slalom runs. I'm a better than average skier at 35, on a HO ASX @30mph behind our 14' VE A22. I prefer just the driver for my runs and if there are any guests I make them sit up front. Maybe have someone on here film themselves skiing behind an A24 to help this gentleman out?

Slowride where are you located?

Thanks for the input. I am in Chicago...local dealer is working on getting me out on a customer's boat, so hopefully I will be able to see firsthand in the next week or two.

I think my decision is going to come down to the A24 or a gently used X-30. Very similar weight boats, and I was pleasantly surprised how well the X-30 skied. Really like the quality, JL Audio components, and large reversible rear seat on X-30...but like the extra room/pickle fork bow and surfgate on A24...and the fact that I could get the boat exactly how I want it since it would be a build to order new. If anyone has any specific thoughts on these two boats I am all ears.

If you plan to surf, I think you will be disappointed with the MC. I'm not sure about the ski wake behind my A24 as I don't ski. I will say that I bought the boat for couple things. Surf gate is by far the easiest way to be able to get a good wave to surf without listing the boat. Second, the A24 is like a small apartment on the water. Your kids will bring friends etc and there is so much room. AJ gave a good summary of everything. I am highly satisfied with my A24.

Pulling a slalom skier next weekend.. Ill get some feedback for you.

Awesome, appreciate it r33pwrd.