Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

Hi All,

Just joined the forum and looking for feedback. I am looking at buying a 2015 A20 and was hoping I could get some feedback here as I have several questions. I currently have a 2001 Centurion Elite Bowrider (21.5 foot direct drive) I would like to upgrade to a Vdrive for a better surf wake and the seating layout. I still love to ski too so looking at the A20 for a little better ski wake. We split our time pretty evenly between skiing, surfing and wakeboarding. I originally thought of getting a used Malibu VTX but saw I could get a new A20 for the same price as the used VTX I was looking at and it does pretty much the same thing and has the features I really want. (Surfgate, Ballast, & Wedge)

We test drove the boat yesterday and liked it. Ski wake is doable and the surf/wakeboard wake is obviously better than my direct drive. And although smaller than my current boat, didn’t feel too small on the water. Here are my questions.

Dealer is firm on price: $57,500 ($62,100 out the door after taxes etc.) I am in California, not sure if that makes a difference. Boat is fairly basic as far as options. Dual axel trailer, tower, racks, carpet, standard stereo, surfgate, wedge and standard ballast.
Does that sound about right to you guys? The dealer of course is acting like we are getting away with armed robbery. I am not so sure. A friend of mine got a brand new Tige RZR last year for about that same price.

Also my wife is terrified of the shallow bow. She is convinced all of our children will fly out and die. Anyone here able to confirm or dispel her fears?

Lastly although I love the features the “fit & finish” has me a little worried. The dash, cup holders, etc. seam flimsy and cheap. I know it’s a price point boat but it’s still a huge chunk of change. How have your boats been holding up. If I move forward I will likely keep the boat for a very long time.

Thanks for taking the time to answer.
Matt

Welcome to the forum! We put almost 200 hours on our '13 A20 before upgrading to a '15 A22. The A20 will not disappoint. It was a great boat and we didn't have any issues during the time we had it. Keep in mind that the 2016 model went through a redesign. There are so many factors that go into pricing it's hard to really say for sure. With the new model shipping you might be able to do a little better on the price, or have them throw in some extras (especially PnP + ballast bags), but like I said pricing isn't as cut and dry as some people make it out to be. Does it have any other options than what you listed? (Bimini, lighting, upgraded gel scheme?)

Regarding the bow sitting lower in the water, it's not an issue if you aren't running a ton of extra weight on top of PnP and making crazy throttle changes. Just drive with common sense and you'll be fine.

2013 A20 owner here. I've got about 185 hours on mine and the dashboard and cupholders are just fine. I've had children under 10 in the bow of my boat and it's just fine. With reasonable parenting and controlled driving, it's not an issue at all.

The price is FAIR, but it's not highway robbery.

Thanks for the quick feedback. you guys are awesome!
Just has standard ballast no PnP or extra ballast. I kind of like it that way though as I want the storage and don't need a monster wake, just chubby friends

I dont need a crazy good deal. i just want to be sure I am not getting swindled.

Here is a link to the exact boat

http://www.tillysmarine.com/new-boats.h ... 96759#info

You'll definitely want PnP bags if you plan to surf. Your chubby friends will just make it that much better.

Right now we surf behind my direct drive with no ballast. I made a home made surf gate and we surf on regular surfboards instead of wake surfboards and the extra volume in the surfboard makes up for the smaller wave. I like to surf in the ocean and prefer the feel of a regular surfboard to a wake surf board anyway. With or without the extra ballast the wake is going to seem huge compared to my current boat and the 19 foot jet boat I grew up surfing behind.
If I do got the PnP route where do you store all of your junk? Tube, anchor, kid skis, life jackets, food, towels, etc. Doesn't seem to be enough room for all of that in other places.

Get plug and play. At least have it all plumbed in so you can have to options to add the bags when you realize you need them. I understand it's gonna be better than what you got but if you are buying a boat to surf why not throw the best wave possible. I have a t22 so it's a bit more spacious but I throw life jackets and stuff on top of bags (750#) in rear lockers. Anchors and other stuff under port side seats. The only real loss of space is under bow seats but it's so worth having the ballast. I don't always use the wedge but I always use the bags. Good luck it's a great looking boat

You guys are so cool. Thanks for all the great feedback and tips. Just spoke to the dealer. Looks like we are good to go as soon as my boat sells. I also asked the dealer about adding the PnP plumbing. We will see what he comes back with...

I have a 2013 A22. As far as storage the PNP only uses the room when you have the rear sacks filled. Even then I still keep all my life jackets in the rear lockers. I keep my anchor under one of the small corner seats in the cabin, coolers, ropes and bumpers in the side storage in the main cabin. Hope that helps.

Also, as others said make sure it has PNP and get the bags. Once you start surfing you will want the extra weight and size of the wake. I agree with what other have said. It is a fair price for the boat, but you are not stealing it. With the new interior in the 2016s you might be able to work them down more. Also, I would check out the new design and make sure it is not something you wish you would have got 6 months from now.

We were going to purchase a 15 A20 in June this year and had alot of the same questions you are asking. Price isnt terrible, we were close to there but the one we were looking at was optioned heavier and it was June. I think they have some more room or negotiate some extras into the deal.

Few comments.
Whether you need the PNP or not I would work it into the deal, if you trade up or decide to sell it could be a deal breaker down the road.
When we were testing the A20 the bow is what my wife loved. We have 4 kids and it was a great place for them. Never felt like they were going to fall out.
Fit and finish overall have been fine, found a few little things but nothing that made me regret purchasing. The vinyl isnt as nice as my 03 malibu was but ive got almost 80hours on mine in 3 months and its taken a beating and looks fine.
We ended up ordering a T22. We determined we wanted the cabin room and it just a little bit more $.