Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

Hey, new guy here.... Just picked up a 2016 A20, first boat with a swim deck for us. What are your thoughts on putting wake board on while sitting/standing on swimdeck? My wake boards have removeable fins, but I'm not in a hurry to remove them yet. I'm concerned with 1) scratching my new swimdeck and 2) breaking the fins off the board.

For those seasoned boat crews, how's the durability on the swim deck? Will doing this show wear and tear easily? Should I make everyone get in water to strap in?

Haven't surfed yet, but seem plenty of people start on the deck... Opinions here?

Common sense seems like it's hard on boat and board's, but water temp is 52 degrees here, it's a bit chilly at the moment.
Thanks for the info.
Crew29

If you can keep the wakeboard from hitting the gel on the boat or platform the pad is pretty durable. I put my board on on the platform but help newbies get it on and get in the water.

Surfing, I don't allow platform starts. Boards are too expensive and it just seems unsafe to me.

Get a 3/2 wetsuit. I had one and was in 52 degree water a few weeks ago. It's still not fun jumping in or falling in but you can ride.


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Strap in on the platform! Then jump in. As far as surfing goes, starting from the platform can get tricky and you have a better chance of falling and sending the board into the transom of your new boat.

The platform will get scratched from fins. I put a 3M clear bra product on the exposed gel on mine and it has worked wonders. I've had it on for 2 seasons and I think it will last this season, then I will replace it. (Getting scuffed, but at least the gel is protected). The platform mat itself will not be damaged by someone putting their board on it.

If I had other people wakeboarding on my boat besides myself I'd do the clear protection as well but any of my friends just surf. If your lake has a lot of water police, platform starts or finishes while surfing is illegal.

Hi guys, I had the same thoughts on the clear bra and I didn't know about platform starts being illegal. Thanks for the info!
Crew29

Congrats on the new boat! Being one who possibly may have at one time sent a buddy's expensive board flying forward into his transom, smashing up the nose of the board and scuffing his boat, I don't recommend starting from the platform. Especially since you're new to this. Board fins (either wake or surf) wont hurt the platform pad, but keep them away from the unprotected fiberglass. I like to stand on the platform facing into the boat, strap the wakeboard on while it sits perpendicular, then lift my toes up and slide the board off the rear of the platform into the water.

Did you have one cut specifically for the gel part of the platform or did you cut it yourself? I'm interested in doing this too.

I bought a roll and cut it myself. It was pretty easy to do. Maybe a 30 minute job. Once it is on, you cannot see it unless you really look carefully, so if it isn't perfect, it's pretty hard to notice.

Cool, thanks.