Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

I took the new a-22 out for a quick spin ( first time ) , I noticed on the starboard side a lot of water being pumped out. I checked the inspection area on the floor to the left of driver's seat, the t handle plug is in and hand tight, don't think it could take on this much water with the plug in.
The area under floor kept filling up fast, I know this can't be normal..
Anybody have any ideas what or where I should look for a solution.
I did operate the ballast , pumped in and pumped out, check wake gate etc.
Hopefully it's something simple, very crowded in the center bilge not lot of room to look around.
Figured I'd ask you guys to see if there was an easy answer before I pull the boat back out of the water and t a dealer.
Thanks in advance for ANY thoughts or direction.....
When I go back to the boat I will isolate the problem by NOT using the pumps for ballast and see if it still takes on water.

Check all hose clamps & fittings in your ballast system (since you said you did fill it), check all hoses on your engine (pretty common to have a hose be accidental left disconnected after winterizing), and check anything with a thru-hull fitting.

My water leak is coming from a cracked tank fitting on my center ballast. My only option is to replace the whole tank. I just applied some epoxy and silicone. It helped some, but I do have a slight leak. Honestly, every single Malibu/ axis boat I have ever been on had some sort of ballast leak. This everything from mine and a buddies a22 to a brand new vtx and two brand new lsv 's.

Probably a silly question but you have the rear plug in too, right?

I've read about people with similar issues, non Axis, and they have used a hose to put water IN the belly of the boat while on the trailer and see where it drips out. Obviously with all the plugs in/etc like you normally would. This should highlight an issue if you have one I would think and is safer than being on the water, taking on water.

Let us know what you figure out.

Just to be fair to other prospective buyers out there. My T23 bilge is bone dry when in the water. No leaks around PnP fittings as I use marine based silicone and do not overtighten wormdrive clamps. That's the first thing I do when I get the boat from the factory; redo all hose connections (except engine), as I feel the factory overtightens them. Just my $0.02...

I agree. I used marine silicon as well on all ballast hoses, redid the clamps and wrapped them in tape to protect ballast bags from getting cut. I too have NEVER had a water leak in either of my Axis boats. People towel dry off on the platform before getting in and my bilge has always been dry. I take out my drain plug maybe once every 4-6 weeks (which equals about 12-15 times on the water) and literally no amount of water comes out and that's using the steep boat ramp to help drain any potential water.

Yep have the rear plug in too...have the boat in a lift now , will try to isolate the problem and update soon, thanks to all who responded...

I think the packing or something like that can be adjusted or redone as well. I think it is around the shaft. Sorry not more technical than that but mine was leaking enough to make the bilge kick on after a couple hours on the water. The desler redid or adjusted it and haven't had the issue again.

Might not show anything but you could always throw a hose in the hull and start filling with the boat on the lift. With that much water coming in there should be at least some leaking out before the bilge comes on.

Could also put a fake-a-lake on the ballast intake and fill/drain to see if you get water in the hull. Seems like you're having a hell of a hard time with that new boat. Best of luck getting this issue sorted out.

Do you have the plug N play bags installed? It could be the front ballast if no bag is installed and the hoses aren't looped together. When you fill front it would just pump water into the boat.