There are plenty of riders out there who want the biggest wake they can find, from a boat small enough to fit in their garage. The Axis A20 fits the bill. This boat is perfect for wakeboarders and wakesurfers who like the convenience and trailerability of a smaller boat but don’t want to give up that big wake. Thanks to a solid stock ballast system and Surf Gate, the A20 puts out a surprisingly big wave for its size, even with just a driver and spotter on board as the only additional weight.
With two aboard and a set speed of 11 mph, we set out to test the A20’s surfability. Our test boat was equipped with a standard wedge rather than the Power Wedge II, so we opted to leave it up to keep the wave cleaner. The shape is more mellow and moderate, but it can suit a variety of riding styles. If you like tweaking your wave’s shape, you should opt for the Power Wedge II. When deployed, it acts like the equivalent of an additional 1,500 pounds of ballast.
The boat’s pickle-fork design allows for a more spacious layout in the bow, with forward-facing backrests against both consoles that create excellent lounges. The main cockpit is protected by a full windshield. New for 2018 is the standard Sliding Skybox Seat, which is a track system that allows you to adjust the seating in the cockpit to create a rear-facing bench. Think of it as stadium viewing so that the crew can watch the riders in action behind the boat.
At the helm, every gauge and switch on the dash is designed to make driving as intuitive as possible for the driver, who can set up speeds and wake preferences at the push of a button.
While most people will be concerned with how this boat performs between 10 to 12 mph, we like to see how it performs on plane. During our sea trial, the A20 put up solid performance numbers for the category. Powered by an Indmar Monsoon 409 inboard, the A20 climbed onto plane in 3 seconds with no ballast; fully loaded, it took a little over 12 seconds. At 4,800 rpm, we recorded a top speed of 34.8 mph, fast enough to get to the sweet spot on the lake for a session — and also be first back to the ramp, because the A20 is such an easy boat to load and tow home on a trailer.
High Points
* Now available with Power Wedge II, Surf Gate and Surf Band to enhance your surf experience.
* Despite being just 20 feet long, the A20 seats 11 people in comfort, so invite your friends and family to join the fun.
* AW 15 sport tower is easily folded down for trailering and storage; one person can raise and lower it with no problems.
Price: Unavailable (at press time)
How We Tested
Engine: Crusader PCM 409 6.0L inboard
Drive/Prop: V-drive/15″ x 14 1/4″ 4-blade Acme Nibral
Gear Ratio: 1.72:1
Fuel Load: 36 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.
More Information
Axis Wake Research – Loudon, Tennessee; 865-458-5478; axiswake.com
