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15 B52 23 or ?


Smokinjo

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Waiting on the new B52 for 2015 as 24 Tomcat does not surf well based on reviews I have seen. Dealer has a loaded Axis A24 Vandall with the LS3 motor and all options I am considering. I know Axis is the lower tier of Malibu and does not have the plush interior of the MB. That being said, it has a hell of a surf wake and boarding wake without listing the boat. So easy to set up with the gates as well.

I love my MB, but want a new boat that surfs better and has more of the new stuff. So a boat is coming especially since I can get a really good trade on my 06. Dealer also has a A24 with the 350hp motor.

The LS3 is big $$ to upgrade.

So question is...

Anyone have any experience with the A24 compared to the B52 23? Waiting to see the surf system on the 15 model to see how it does, but would love non-biased opinions from you all. Most (I use that term loosely) on this forum are really good with opinions rather than bashing other Mfgs. The other forums typically state their model is the best and nothing compares. So what are your thoughts?

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From the pics I've seen, the A24 seems to throw a good surf wave. The T22 seems to be the surf boat of choice from the axis line though.

 

That said, I have no experience surfing behind boats with those surf devices but I do see value of quick switching if the wave is as good as listed wave. As for how it compares to 2015 23? Who knows.......

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if u get 2015 mb u get the 6.2 standard hard to beat that

Yes the 6.2 Raptor motor is a beast. I have a 2011 Raptor with the 6.2. It stays very thirsty though. Hope they dial the programming in to get decent gal per hour. The hp and torque in the truck is incredible for a truck that weighs nearly 6k pounds. If it is anything similar in the boats, no one will be complaining about power.

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OK, going to try and keep this brief since I have lived and breathed Axis for the last two years and have also spent hundreds of hours getting tossed around Donseas' 23WB and I have a 15 F22 Tomcat now. I LOVED my Axis and had originally planned on getting a new one with Surfgate, but ended up in an MB. All that said, my experience has been much more about wakeboarding but I've surfed plenty on them too. If you want more detail/info PM me and we can chat.

 

23WB - While of course biased, the others are right...from my experiences and what I have seen, the 23WB throws the most amazing surf wave of those discussed above. Now, that is the 2013/2014s that I have surfed behind and they were HEAVILY listed. The 2015 is still unknown how it will perform in the real world. Has some great things going for it - 3300 lbs stock ballast with longer tanks that run further forward so evening out the weight more, and of course the MB Switch system. The hard part here is the unknown...guess worst case you know you can throw an amazing surf wave listed, plus have the Switch system to use if you're doing more casual surfing if it doesn't turn out to be as good as listing the boat? And of course MB quality, interior, etc

 

A24 - What we had originally planned on buying and an amazing boat. Throws a really good and CONVENIENT wave...not as good of course as a listed boat or even close to the 23wb, but a really good and surfable wave at the flip of a switch. I don't have any experience on loading it up listed, so maybe has more potential there. The A24 has BY FAR the best and most versatile wakeboard wake though. You can putt along in that thing at 16 or 17mph and up and it has a clean wake for beginners/kids....you can flip a few switches and dump a ridiculous amount of weight in it (all sub floor or hidden bags) and it throws an absolutely massive wake that is on par with the elito pro-style offerings (G23, Xstar, etc). I should also add that the Axis boats are tanks...put almost 600 hours on mine in a year and a half and it was a beast with zero issues and just the occasional routine maintenance.  Why didn't we buy one? Several things really came together that caused us to change our minds, most of which was that the new F22 has similar wake characteristics. I couldn't get my head wrapped around paying a lot more for an Axis that still had a pretty bare bones interior quality (snap-in canvas air dam? lol), cheap trailer, etc.   OH - about the engines...you'll for sure want the LS3 if you plan on running weight, so please do yourself a favor and don't even consider the 350. The 350 in an MB is a whole different story...Axis hulls are different and you need a lot more power (or a LOT more bow weight) to get them to plane. You MIGHT be able to get buy with it if you don't go too crazy with weight and run a 2315 or 2419 prop, but why do that to yourself?

 

Not in your options but since it was mentioned, T22 - Really, really great boat and we would have bought one if it was a pickle fork hahaha   Throws what I feel is the most comparable wave to the the MB but with the convenience of Surfgate. I was blown away at how nice a wave it had with stock plus plug n play ballast and the surfgate. Also had a really, really nice wakeboard wake. Interior on the T22 actually feels a bit higher quality and is a nice layout. It also ironically is the least expensive Axis, so is one hell of a bargain for what you get.

 

My opinion? if you're not in any rush wait a bit more to see what the 2015 23wb surf wave with switch looks like. You can always jump in to an Axis later if that doesn't pan out.

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I've been on both sides of this, from a salesman standpoint. We used to be an axis dealer. 

 

If build quality is a thing for you, the MB absolutely gets the nod, absolutely zero question. Will the AXIS fall apart, absolutely not, it just isn't anywhere near the MB in those regards. Surf wake, steele hit it perfectly, so I'll just 1up his remarks.

 

As far as size, both boats are simply huge on the inside, I've seen the new 23', it is massive.

 

Ballast, I prefer the MB's system, no bags, very quick, and now 3300#

 

Drivability, axis gets the nod, by a hair. Those flatter hulls do turn better

 

Motor. Indmar Ford vs. MP LS3  hmmm...  from the butt power detector, this new Ford's performance is on par with the current LS3. 

Not sure how I feel about Marine Products, especially how MAlibu/Axis has already switched out of them. In fact, Axis will be with PCM for '15

 

Tower- no question, MB

 

Fit and finish- MB's "art of boatmaking" tagline is no joke.

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To add to the above two comments...

I shopped malibu (owned one too), axis, mc and mb.

 

MC was just silly to me.  overpriced and looks like it belongs in a transformers movie.

 

Axis was a nice boat, but for me a bit institutional along with me feeling like I need to be rocking a flatbill cap drinking monster with tattoos or something.  I'm just not that cool.

 

I chose MB for a variety of reasons.  great quality finish, lots of standard options, simple (I know too well how one computer glitch can ruin your day) and price point to name a few.

 

Surfgate is super convenient, but also requires a shiatload more weight (and motor, and prop, and fuel) to be effective.  The MB stock wake is surfable by itself.

 

I'm not trying to glorify anyone here, but for me one of the main factors was the dealer.  Location is important (mc was too far away) but this is a marriage and you should choose wisely.  There will be times you have to deal with your dealer and they can make things terrific or miserable (again, marriage).  They can also be the type to go the extra mile for you or leave you hanging.

 

without giving away any confidential inside details I may have acquired...let's just say the new surf system may end up having the best of both worlds...the speed of switching sides along with the size/power of a listed wave.  If so, I think it may be the proverbial game changer .

 

my 22 has a great stock surf wake (MUCH better with 750 in rear and 400 bow).

wakeboarding at 17-18 is clean and great for my boys.

my wife can drive / operate everything

 

I suspect 23 is even better stock surf, so there you go...

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Rode and surfed in my buddies Axis yesterday. Hung out in it for a while just looking at the fit and finish compared to an MB. I have to say the Axis is no where in the same league as the MB. All I'm gonna say about that so I don't throw Axis under the Bus. Glad my wife said let's wait. I believe I will order a new MB for 2015 or pick up a 2014. There is just not another boat I have been in that compares in quality. So done with the boat shopping thing. Almost just assume keep my 06. It looks better than what I have looked at.

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Well looks like I'm going with the A24 with the LS3. Dealer debating on whether he will continue with the MB line up and not another dealer anywhere close. Fit and finish of the A24 is not as nice as the MB for sure, however having an awesome dealer for service and warranty work is a must. Surf gate is awesome too. Not sure how this MB Switch is gonna pan out yet. Also hearing that Raptor 6.2 motor is thirsty thirsty.

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It's a little early to say the 6.2 is thirsty. I hear ya on dealer an access to parts. I've been waiting on a trim tab fron mb for over 2 months and no one can find a bell housing to repair my boat it's been almost a month now.I was going to get the 2015 b52, but im not sure I feel like if I have an issue getting parts on the mb is much harder than another brand most likely. I really wonder if my boat was made by a big 3 company if that part would be easier to come by. Anyways congrats on the boat I'm in same situation as you do I get something I like less in another brand or do I sit around all summer not being able to use something I like better.

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Well here's the new boat. Not quite an MB but wife and family like it. We took the boat out on demo, all kids including me surfed. We all agreed on it. Wife loves the heater option. May come back to MB one day, just depends on whether there is a local dealer.

love that look, can't beat the green and white!! i need to go look at those asap, i always looked at malibu up there and never really paid much attention to them……looks really nice!

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