Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

Greetings,

My name is Adam. I have wanted to get back into a boat. I had an old Chaparral 18' boat about 5 years ago, I sold that and road with my buddy on his Searay. Well after they sold due to leaving the area I have always wanted another boat. Life hit me in the right spot and I looked at used, but decided I could go new and think I will.

I talked to the Tige dealer but they are dropping Tige and there is no other dealers this side of 250miles. There is an axis/Malibu dealer and I talked to them. I read up on and have looked at nearly every forum I can find for information.

Price 2017 a22 under 80k is in my range. Under 100k LSV at the max range and would hate to pay it.

The dealer is ok, I contacted one and he helped me knowing I wasn't purchasing this year, in email traffic he CC'd his partner who I thought was a Condescending prick lol.

Reasons why the A over the T is space upfront. Two people get a better layout in the pickle vs the V. I'm not married to either style.

I like to wakeboard/skate but am interested in surfing option, love to learn.

Other than introducing myself and thanking you for all the threads on input I have a couple of questions.

If you had to do it again, would your current experience with your axis, do you wish you chose another company/ option?

In your opinions what is the best way to go?

I realize these are broad statements that can involve a multitude of answers. I love to hear your opinions.

I use the search tool religiously but haven't seen answers related to me. Axis vs Moomba was a good thread.

Thanks,

Adam

I recommend the T23 ..the extra room is unbelievable . I am so glad we got the T23 instead of a 22' boat ... Axis has the surfing thing down pat.
Once we started Wakesurfing we never wake boarded again...the older you get the better surfing is ...to us.

I'm taking delivery of my A24 next week. This is my first Axis. I was totally sold on my dealer. They have a great reputation and make you feel like you are their only customer. Whatever boat you go with dealer relationship needs to be high on your list. I can't speak for the boat yet but we are really excited. We looked at the T23, the A24, Malibu 22 VLX and 23 LSV. I love the front on the A24 and the overall space. We ordered ours with pretty much with all the options. The '16 Malibu 22 VLX was about $10,000 higher than my A24 but I wanted more room. They had a real nice '16 23 LSV that was about $25,000 higher. I loved that boat but just didn't want to spend that much money. The dealer had a T23 in stock. I would of been fine with it but didn't like the color. T23 does have a lot of room. We sacrificed the bells and whistles on the Malibu 22 for space of the A24. We got in ours in the Mid $80's.

AdamUSN, from one sailor to (I assume) another, welcome. I'm a TACAMO NFO here in OKC. On shore duty now. I'm on my second Axis. Previous was a 2010 A22 and now I have a 2015 A24. This is my 4th boat and third inboard. Bang for your buck you can't beat an Axis. However, their price point isn't quite so price point anymore as it keeps creeping upward with no real hard features added... Yes I know a better warranty. But, a fancy wrist band for 2017 doesn't justify the markup.

As far as quality goes, Axis saves money in their build cost by straight vinyl cushions that aren't hinged, unfinished fiberglass sections under some of the storage areas, no fancy touchscreens, and limited gel options.

To me having a solid hull (currently in question, see cracked stringer threads), good drive train, and well built trailer are more important than the latest gadget.

When I sold my A22, we only looked at Malibu and Axis lines 23'+ in length. I couldn't justify the cost of a Malibu and after looking at the T23 vs A24 we really liked the full walk through bow of the A24 and it made it feel even larger than the T23 that stops the walk thru part right at the windshield.

We love our boat and don't see any reason to upgrade for a very long time. It does everything we want it do each and every time out on the water.

Good luck in your decision and keep in mind the best deals are had in very late fall and early winter so you're definitely in the drivers seat as far as price goes (unless you order one).

Luke


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I bought an A20 from dealer stock because the price was right. In hindsight I should have shopped around for other boats, even if they were more expensive, sold by a better dealer. I'm really not happy with mine, they don't seem interested in addressing warranty issues and I have to bug them constantly just to get a reply/answer to something. And this is simple stuff too like problems with trailer wiring, upholstery flaws that were present when I purchased the boat (and photographed by the dealer before I took delivery). No significant complaints about the boat itself (although the trailer sucks bad).

I think this goes back to the dealer. Every manufacturer is going to have issues. I researched a lot on several brands and talked to several people in our area before we pulled the trigger. You have to get a dealer that will go that extra mile for their customers. Everyone I spoke with told me our dealer give them a loaner if they ever had a warranty issue. I don't think Axis/Malibu is the issue its prob the dealer. I can tell you I looked at Supras and Moombas also and couldn't even get the dealer to hardly call me back with a price. I don't think that would translate well into customer service after the sell.

Luke/Get_sum,

I am Navy, proud black shoe IS type, former Seabee here. Changed rates after 13 years (don't make me sing the Seabee song!)

2017 boats all come standard with the 409? (I believe) which is important due to being stationed at higher altitudes and needing that power. Otherwise if the surfband was the only thing I would buy a 2016.

My dealer hasn't even pushed all the 2017 info and changes to me. /sigh the problems of living in an area with no competition.

I would go to the dealership and talk with them to see if you get the same vibe. You'd hate to get the wrong impression from one or two pricks on an email when the rest of the team is solid.

Also if I was in your shoes then I would be looking at a leftover 2016 Axis. That would leave a lot more $ in your pocket and you'd still have the 5 year warranty. Or maybe a leftover 2016 Malibu. End of the season coming up gives you some negotiating room.

Welcome aboard Adam, I would purchase my 2014 T22 all over again. The price was right for my budget and the boat does everything we ask of it well - boarding, tubing, and surfing. It definitely came with several issues but any competent dealer could easily remedy this. The original dealer was a headache but I am now being taken care of at East Coast Flightcraft / Naples Marine. LOVE the product. I just spent the day on a new Wakesetter 25' LSV and although the vessel is remarkable, for the $, the T22 is my boat of choice.

I would stop at the store and talk with the dealer. A person on the floor will let them know you are serious about buying. More than just a quick email. I am sure dealers get emails daily and they might not treat them all as a serious lead. Get in the shop and talk to them. Then get out in each of the models you are interested in. If the dealer has a demo day scheduled you can hop a quick ride in each of them back to back.