Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

Hey guys, I installed my FAE system on my A22 today.

First off, I did it during my children's 2 hour nap. I could have done it a lot faster but my drill bits are done and it took a bit of work to drill the holes. I have a step bit which was very helpful, definitely recommend getting one for the install.

I do not have the wedge, so this looks different than most Axis' will, but the install will be almost as simple. The instructions are simple and easy to follow, and the system is very very sturdy once it is all tightened down.

I went with the standard black powder coat finish. They have a chromed finish for a little bit more. I will hopefully be going out this week sometime to test a few things. My 2 concerns is that it will affect or mess up my wakeboard wake, or it will reduce some bottom end power and make it more difficult or impossible to get on plane when I am slumping...

I will update after I go out.

Okay, took her for a test drive today.

Overall: awesome.

I loaded my boat up with 4800 lbs, 2 toddlers, 2 adults, and 1 rider, reproducing the exact same set up the last time I rode without the FAE. This set up will not get up on plane with the cinco unless I drain a bit first, but the 1235 did it pretty well. With the FAE installed the 1235 did it without draining any ballast, but it took a little bit longer to get up on plane... 5-10 seconds maybe? Riding with normal ballast of 4k I did not notice any bottom end/hole shot loss of power.

It definately is quieter than before. I have the california mandatory CAT motor so it was not too loud in the first place, but it is even more quiet now. I would not say 1/2 of the noise level like others claim in their boats, but I would say that it was cut by 1/4 or so. I think with the Cinco prop and the FAE, it would be really quiet.

Wakeboard wake was unaffected, no change in rooster tail, no weird sprays coming off the back of the boat, and it was so much quieter for the rider.

Wakesurf wave was not, and will not be, tested.

I took it for an initial test run while filling ballast and then checked to see if it was still solidly on there and it was, then after each rider I checked again... solid all day.

I did not notice any change when driving or turning, other than the quietness, I would have had no idea it was back there.

I am stoked and will definitely be keeping it on there for the foreseeable future.

Thanks Johnny, I still haven't been able to get to the water yet

JohnnyD-I went to the site and did not see one listed for our boats so was just wondering what the cost was shipped? Looks great and if it doesn't effect performance, I am in!
Thanks,
Dave

Dave, I think it is about $50 for shipping if you are in the US. I think that there may be a group buy coming soon as well. Call or email Larry and he will set you up right. I just did my order and measurements by email, it was simple.

John

I paid a little over 500 with shiping. That included the platform quick release option, but not the side mounts. They also gave me a $50 discount for a group buy (it was a group buy off the Tige forum - but they didn't care). They were great to deal with. It took under 4 weeks from when I started talking with them to getting it delivered.

How much quieter is it when you are riding? I have a set of rev 10s and I'm debating a 410 or fae... Which one do you think will help me hear my music better?

I've had my FAE on for almost 2yrs now. I've got a pair of Rev 8s and I hear em just fine. Not sure the FAE cuts the engine noise down quite in half but definitely reduces it very significantly. Hope that helps a lil bit.

I agree with Joey, it cut it down noticeably, but not by half. The problem at wakeboarding speeds is the wind noise, not just engine noise.

If you wake surf or have young children, then I would chose the FAE over upgrading your speakers, just based on safety alone. Wakesurfers love FAE because they claim they can talk to the rider without yelling, and the speaker volume can be a lot lower, and most important, less CO for the surfer and passengers. My buddy in his malibu surfs all the time, says at the end of the day his whole family has headaches.... he is getting FAE after he and I last spoke and after he saw some videos of how, at surfing speeds, the engine exhaust rolls forward back into the cabin of the boat, exposing all passengers.

If you do not have kids and rarely surf, the it is a toss up... I do like how now we can idle around or keep motor running while a rider prepares on the swim platform while getting less exposure to exhaust gases.

Johnny is spot on with all those points and makes a great case for each scenario. Depends mostly on what u do more, surf or wakeboard. (Especially if you've got any kids that surf too the FAE becomes a no-brainer)