Producing the perfect wake isn’t just about owning an awesome boat (which you definitely do). It’s about knowing how to dial in your settings like a pro. Luckily, your Axis makes that easy. With innovations like Surf Gate® and Power Wedge™ III — all connected through your 7" Garmin® Command Center — you’ve got everything you need to deliver epic wakes for every rider, every time.
Here’s how to make it all work together for wave perfection.
Think of your Garmin touchscreen as mission control. It’s not just a pretty interface. It’s the brain that keeps every system in sync. When you tap, your boat reacts instantly.
Quick guide to your display:
Watersports: Where the wave magic happens
Controls: Lighting + accessories hub
Gauges: All your vital stats in one place
Settings: Fine-tune preferences
Your built-in ballast is the foundation of wake shaping. Understanding fill times and how each tank affects your wake's shape will help you maximize every set, so make a note of the following fill and drain times:
Bow tank (if equipped): 10 minutes
Center tank: 15 minutes
Port and Starboard: 15 minutes each
Bow tank (if equipped): 10 minutes
Start with your center tank filled. This gives you that foundational push and a clean pocket. Then add weight to the port or starboard depending on whether you're setting up for a regular or goofy rider. The beauty in this is that you can select multiple tanks and control them simultaneously, so you're not playing tank Tetris all day.
Surfing: Fill the center tank, then load the opposite side of where you’ll ride (surfing portside = starboard heavy).
Wakeboarding: Center tank full + equal port/starboard for a tall, clean wake.
This is where Axis really shines thanks to the patented Surf Gate technology borrowed from Malibu Boats. The first thing to know is that your Surf Gates only deploy between 9-15 mph, which is exactly where you want to be for surfing anyway.
The gates work in three positions: Left, Center, and Right. Here's the insider knowledge:
Surf Left: Gates go right. Ensure your ballast is starboard-heavy
Surf Right: Gates go left. Ensure your ballast is port-heavy
Center: Gates retracted for wakeboarding or cruising around
If your Axis is equipped with Power Wedge III, you've got serious wake-shaping power and performance on tap. This system has seven positions: Lift, Wedge 1-6, and Stow. Think of these settings as your fine-tuning dial.
1-10 mph: You can move to/from the stow position
Below 26 mph: Full wedge position control when deployed
Above 26 mph: Locked in place (safety first)
When you've got cruise control set above 16 mph and Auto-Wedge enabled, your boat becomes a genius. It automatically moves the Power Wedge to Lift position, then drops to your desired position when you hit 85% of your set speed. If you fall more than 25% below set speed, it lifts again to help you get back on plane.
Translation: effortless, consistent pulls every time.
Nothing kills a session like inconsistent speed, which is why your Axis Boat is equipped with cruise control which is activated and controlled by the Cruise Knob on the dash. Cruise control works between 5-60 mph and is adjusted in 0.1 mph increments.
The engine is running and in neutral, to engage cruise control.
Use the throttle position indicator to stay in the green zone
Remember: After disabling cruise, the boat holds the programmed speed until you pull the throttle back to neutral
Your Axis comes with five presets that can't be changed, but honestly, you probably won't want to. These are dialed in for the ideal wake performance by people who know wakes:
Surf Left/Surf Right: The perfect asymmetrical setup.
Wakeboard Beginner: A clean, manageable wake.
Wakeboard Advanced: A tall, steep wake for big air.
Go Home: Drains your ballast tanks and stows all of your Surf Systems.
Hit a preset and watch your boat transform itself. It's like a transformer, but for something way cooler than a movie.
Struggling with achieving your perfect wake or wave? Here are some possible issues you might encounter and how to fix them:
Your Axis Boat's systems are designed to work together, not independently. When you hit the "Surf Left" preset, you're not just moving gates – you're orchestrating its ballast tanks, Power Wedge, Surf Gates and its speed into one cohesive wake-making machine. The real magic happens when you start understanding how small adjustments create big changes. A 0.1 mph speed change can clean up a wash. Moving your wedge one position can add that extra steepness your rider needs for a new trick.
Your Axis boat has the tools to create any wake you can imagine. The difference between good sessions and legendary ones often comes down to taking the time to dial in these systems properly.
The next time you head out, know that Axis puts the power at your fingertips to create the perfect run for your rider every time, so remember the tips in this article and get ready to Go All Out.