Help! After 10 years with the Moomba leaning towards a new Axis A24

I’m going into the 11th season with my 2008 OBV that I bought new at 26 years old. It has been an amazing boat with many memories, but it’s time for something NEW AND BIG. I’m planning on putting it for sale as soon as it hits the water the next few weeks, and looking to order something exactly how I want it. I’m not in a huge rush so it might be early next season for a 2019 model.

I would be all over a new mojo or max but I’m having a really hard time with the ford engines in the new moombas. I have been a diehard Chevy guy since middle school and own 2 Z28 Camaros, a 69 shortbed C10, a 72 longbed C10, and my daily driver is a 2010 Silverado 1500 with a 6.2 in it.

Am I crazy???

Does anyone have 1st or 2nd hand experience with the Axis line?

I’ve been to the dealer and checked out an A24 and liked it a lot, but moomba seems like more for money (maybe even less money) but I’m having major trouble getting past the engine.

Thoughts?

Yes, my thoughts are get over it. Ford vs. Chevy is like Coke vs. Pepsi, but it's not like you're having to drink the engine. The Raptor engine is a great power plant. And I'm sure so are your Chevy engines. In a boat, you put gas in and they all make a certain number of HP. and with the hatch closed, you wouldn't even know what's under the hood.

Axis makes a great boat and puts out a fantastic wakeboard wake. But there is a noticeable difference to a lot of us and that's what likely keeps us here. Not the "unnoticeable" difference of what sticker is on your engine covers...

Maybe moomba will drop a 24ft boat for 2019. I've heard some new stuff is coming

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I had the very first Axis A22 built in Tennessee in 2009. Really wanted to love that boat, but after 3 years and 3 winters at the factory trying to get it sorted out, the dealer made me a smoking deal on a Recon Edition. It had the 350hp engine, heaters, every bell and whistle. I loved that boat. Sold it after a couple years and bought a Tige, no idea why I even bought it. 6 months later, sold it and bought our current 2015 Mojo. It has been the absolute best boat I have ever owned. There is no way I could ever go back to an Axis, The Mojo is better in every way. And yes, the Raptor 6.2 is an absolute beast and in 400 form, has tons of power and fairly fuel efficient.

Just keep in mind that for 2019 Malibu will marinize there own motors in house as they do there own trailers also, There Quality has gone down hill since they went public with there stocks,visit the Malibu Crew forum some nightmare stories on there.

I thought Axis uses Indmar Raptors as well? I have a buddy with a Malibu 25 LSV with a raptor 440 in it.


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You know, I do believe they went to Raptor now that you mention it. My friends '16 23LSV has the Raptor. Does Chevy even make a marine engine? Though I read somewhere that GM wasn't producing the 5.7l block any longer?

Natique uses the GM 5.3 with direct injection I believe and I think they also use the 6.2 still


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That is what I thought. Raptor. Moonsoon. Different label.

I know some people left the company when they went public. Said it was a big change in the corp culture.

When you go public, all things change. Lived thru a software company doing it. Expectations suck. Cutting cost. Increased productivity. Grind. Always looking for faster and better methods to save a dollar.


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I had a major problem with going to a raptor engine also... I talked to a lot of people on here about it before we bought. There’s a thread somewhere, probly back around August-ish of last year. I’m a die hard Chevy/Mopar (Cummins only though) guy. But the only way to get a Chevy now is PCM engines who is now owned by the parent company of nautique/supreme/Centurion. The new LS based motors with direct injection are beasts (not the 5.3L though lol) I wish skiers choice could get in on PCM but ya can’t win em all.
After playing with our new SA only a couple times, the Raptor motor is a good one so far as I can tell. The torque is incredible even on the 400 and it’s pretty dang fuel efficient. There is something to be said for a modular motor with heads that can breathe. It’s only a matter of time before GM goes modular with OHC. The efficiency can’t be beat. Period. The LS is getting old comparatively with how manufacturers move to the new bigger better... GM is just behind the times doing everything possible to keep the push rod LS alive for a while longer.

I like the axis I think they look damn good. As far as the motor is concerned I was hesitant too especially being a Ram cummins guy. But for the last few summers my buddies moomba has pulled me a lot and never had any issues with his raptor and the price point features etc was a easy decision for me on the moomba. I still catch hell for owing something ford lol but I don’t care I love my mojo. And besides the way I see it, it’s a dodge pulling a ford. And honestly I’d lease a ford truck if my truck wasn’t about to be paid off


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Originally Posted by KnoxMojo

You know, I do believe they went to Raptor now that you mention it. My friends '16 23LSV has the Raptor. Does Chevy even make a marine engine? Though I read somewhere that GM wasn't producing the 5.7l block any longer?

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Axis uses GM based Indmars. 5.7 and 6.0 I think. Malibu uses the Ford Raptor Indmars.


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And, for the love of all things good, getting an Axis because it has a GM motor is Cra Cra man! The Moomba boat and surf wave crushes Axis!


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[QUOTE=dakota4ce;323742]Axis uses GM based Indmars. 5.7 and 6.0 I think. Malibu uses the Ford Raptor Indmars.


Indmar only has Ford Raptors now. PCM bought all the rights to GM based engines.
And yes Axis does use the Crusader (which is PCM) Monsoon engines. I can’t believe PCM and Indmar aren’t fighting over Axis/Malibu since they use different engines down the ‘same’ assembly line.

But I’m with Dakota... the moomba supra wave crushes the surf gate system in my opinion. When I demo’d an axis a few years back i felt like the boat needed power steering to help the driver fight the surf gate. The force it puts on the wheel is pretty good.

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Originally Posted by z28ke

Am I crazy???

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Yes. [emoji6]

I've always been a Ford guy, but I drive a 2015 Chevy 3500 Duramax. Why? Because it's as good a truck as the Ford, and I couldn't have gotten a comparably-equipped Ford for anywhere near the price I got on my Chevy. I love my truck - but I'm still a Ford guy. [emoji23]

Whether my boat had a Ford or GM motor was not even a consideration. I do wish it had the Raptor though (2014, no Raptor motor yet).

Thanks for all the input guys, especially the experience with surf waves. I have not ridden behind or driven an axis or a newer moomba. It’s also good to hear that everyone seems pleased with their raptor power plant.

We actually just got a moomba dealer in town that is 5 miles closer to me than the axis dealer. Back in 2008 the closest moomba dealer was about 80 miles away.

Does anyone know if the max will have better gel color patterns/options for 2019?

Here’s some pics of my pride and joy for the last decade

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[QUOTE=Broke Pilot;323745]

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Originally Posted by dakota4ce

Axis uses GM based Indmars. 5.7 and 6.0 I think. Malibu uses the Ford Raptor Indmars.


Indmar only has Ford Raptors now. PCM bought all the rights to GM based engines.
And yes Axis does use the Crusader (which is PCM) Monsoon engines. I can’t believe PCM and Indmar aren’t fighting over Axis/Malibu since they use different engines down the ‘same’ assembly line.

But I’m with Dakota... the moomba supra wave crushes the surf gate system in my opinion. When I demo’d an axis a few years back i felt like the boat needed power steering to help the driver fight the surf gate. The force it puts on the wheel is pretty good.

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So I was right about them being GM, but wrong about them being Indmar! I will accept that as a team win. [emoji471]

I, like you, find it peculiar that everybody is cool with that. The Crusaders must be significantly cheaper.


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The 5.7 liter GM motors don’t have closed loop cooling which I am sure makes them much less expensive


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Originally Posted by z28ke

Thanks for all the input guys, especially the experience with surf waves. I have not ridden behind or driven an axis or a newer moomba. It’s also good to hear that everyone seems pleased with their raptor power plant.

We actually just got a moomba dealer in town that is 5 miles closer to me than the axis dealer. Back in 2008 the closest moomba dealer was about 80 miles away.

Does anyone know if the max will have better gel color patterns/options for 2019?

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I hope you take a demo in the MAX vs the Axis, it's a lot of boat and performance out of the box.
Look at yor rocking something Wakeology! I used to ride for them before they sold out to new owners. Haven't seen anything from them lately...

Here is my take on GM vs Ford.

I was a Chevy guy my whole life, but since GM couldn’t look after their own sh*t and started bleeding money back in the Great Recession to the point they took a government bail out just to stay in business, and wiped out the value of their common share price, I jumped ship to Ford. I bought GM stock and lost everything I put into it, if I had bought Ford at the same time, my money would have multiplied by over 6 times. Yes, I know Ford took government money at the time, but they said they didn’t need it, and they were able to return value to their shareholders.

GM is a company that shouldn’t even be in business today and deserves love from nobody.

Sorry for being so negative, just a little sour. I too would still run a GM if they have a product I’m wanting or in the market for, but in no way will I throw them love just because of the brand.





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Lest we not forget: the Raptor kicks some major ass in these boats. It pulls HARD. I came from a 24’ 4600# MB with an L96 410. Ran 5000# ballast and that motor barely handled it (actually struggled on hot days) and DRANK fuel. 9+ gallons per hour. Also had to run a 15x11 prop to even sniff it.

Now I have an SE with a 440 Raptor. 5500# boat, 5100# ballast and it easily pulls it at 3700 rpm with a 2775 prop. All this while doing 5.5-6 gallons per hour. It’s absolutely insane how well this motor pulls.

The fuel burn is just icing on the cake.

Raptor has nothing but impressed me. Only knock—it’s kinda loud, but that’s the boatmakers fault. I have dynamatted and installed FAE to take care of that.


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The shoe is finally on the other foot for me! I've got a Coyote powered race car, 2 F100's (300 straight 6 and 390 FE) and a coyote F150 in the driveway, but had GM powered boats for a decade. I'm pretty stoked to have a 6.2L on the way!

Specific to OP....
If Malibu is using Raptors, and Axis is not... and Axis is the "value line" of the same company, doesn't that mean the Raptor is the preferred choice absent the economics of it? At least it seems that way from Malibu Inc's perspective.

Further, it's awesome to see Skier's Choice use Raptors in ALL their boats. That tells me that even for their value line (Moomba), they don't sacrifice on the "bones" i.e. power train, of their boats. They can still offer a "value" boat by saving costs elsewhere.

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Originally Posted by Pound

Specific to OP....
If Malibu is using Raptors, and Axis is not... and Axis is the "value line" of the same company, doesn't that mean the Raptor is the preferred choice absent the economics of it? At least it seems that way from Malibu Inc's perspective.

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I haven’t thought of it like that, though I know what my personal preferred choice is, but excellent point!

It’s working guys, I’ve already inquired with my local Moomba dealer about available mojo build slots, waiting to hear back. My fiancé has been building them on the website and texting me pics all morning lol.

On another note my 08 obv has less than 300 hours on it, is in great condition, and I’ve added 3 reversible ballast pumps all on timers, LED lights throughout, sub/amp and dual batteries. Do y’all think getting $25k for it private sale here in NC is reasonable? Or is $20k more realistic? One of my best friends is interested in it especially since he knows the history and how particular I am about my toys and their maintenance. I even think he came over to check it out the day I brought it home from the dealer.

Thanks guys

Any info on the 2019 line or when build dates start for those?

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Originally Posted by DFTR Josh

I hope you take a demo in the MAX vs the Axis, it's a lot of boat and performance out of the box.
Look at yor rocking something Wakeology! I used to ride for them before they sold out to new owners. Haven't seen anything from them lately...

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Another best friend of mine rode for them as well! (his board in the boat)

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Originally Posted by z28ke

I haven’t thought of it like that, though I know what my personal preferred choice is, but excellent point!

It’s working guys, I’ve already inquired with my local Moomba dealer about available mojo build slots, waiting to hear back. My fiancé has been building them on the website and texting me pics all morning lol.

On another note my 08 obv has less than 300 hours on it, is in great condition, and I’ve added 3 reversible ballast pumps all on timers, LED lights throughout, sub/amp and dual batteries. Do y’all think getting $25k for it private sale here in NC is reasonable? Or is $20k more realistic? One of my best friends is interested in it especially since he knows the history and how particular I am about my toys and their maintenance. I even think he came over to check it out the day I brought it home from the dealer.

Thanks guys

Any info on the 2019 line or when build dates start for those?

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I would sure as hell try to get $25+ for it. especially if you sell in the peak season. Clean, low hours, well sorted v-drive. you'll get it easy IMO.

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Originally Posted by z28ke

My fiancé has been building them on the website and texting me pics all morning lol

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Damn, I wish I could get that kind of buy in from my wife. My boat is still the source of fights.

Hmm, that would be a good name for the boat...

"... And then the fight started" [emoji23]

I heard through the grapevine that Skiers Choice is buying Indmar or absorbing them or something like that. I over heard a conversation the dealer was having at the boat show. Please Note I was pretty inebriated so take it with a grain of salt.

OP, buy another Moomba dummy [emoji23]


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As a Chevy / GM guy I love the raptor over the out going gm block. Our Mondo was a 2014 with the 5.7 and the 2017 SR 400 moves with the 6.2 and uses less fuel. I just say look it's a Chevy pulling a Ford, lol.

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Originally Posted by dakota4ce

And, for the love of all things good, getting an Axis because it has a GM motor is Cra Cra man! The Moomba boat and surf wave crushes Axis!


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The A24and T23. Have crazy surf waves. And I believe Malibu /axis is making there own engine in 19 or 20. I loved my Moomba for10 years. Obv and xlv.with reliable performance not a real issue once

Mojo pro is where I would lean. I can’t get there on the max yet , but I said that about the first mojo too. When I had the opportunity to buy one of the first off the line , xlv with v2. Is still my fav moomba

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Originally Posted by dakota4ce

Only knock—it’s kinda loud, but that’s the boatmakers fault. I have dynamatted and installed FAE to take care of that.


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You dynamatted the engine compartment? Any pics?

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Originally Posted by jmvotto

The A24and T23. Have crazy surf waves.

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I have ridden the best a 2017 23LSV could throw, and it’s not crazy. I have NOT ridden the new A24, just the older one. So I can’t judge the newest, but the old was not good.

Anyway, these things can be argued all day. I have a Supra SE, which is incredible, and I really suspect the Max comes very close.



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Originally Posted by RC_Hinojosa

You dynamatted the engine compartment? Any pics?

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VDrive cover underside in my SE. Removed and covered. Also did firewall area directly in front of motor, and underside of engine hatch cover. Have not done inside rear locker walls...yet. Figured that likely isn’t a big sound source. I am guessing the VDrive cover is most of it.



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakota4ce

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VDrive cover underside in my SE. Removed and covered. Also did firewall area directly in front of motor, and underside of engine hatch cover. Have not done inside rear locker walls...yet. Figured that likely isn’t a big sound source. I am guessing the VDrive cover is most of it.



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Thanks, I hadn't thought of doing that but it's a great addition to FAE which is next on my upgrade list.

I was looking at the A22s as well. New to the surf line of boat, so came in with a pretty open mind. Came to the final conclusion of...Malibu really cuts corners on the Axis, so don't really consider it being a Malibu.

1 - the Tower is an accident waiting to happen if you have kids. The flip style contraption that is used to lock it in place seems like trouble. This weighed heavily for me as I do have 2 kids <10 YO.
2 - didn't like the plastic wrapped windows
3 - unless 2018 or newer, the wedge is manual...meaning it has an access door on the rear platform where you have to engage it.
4 - have yet to hear about good dealership service post sale

my $0.02...I ended up with a Craz.

Sucks to loose money on stocks and hear a bunch of high paid execs make excuses for it.

Today I went by the new moomba dealership in town with my fiancé to decide between the max and mojo and check out different upholstery color combos and options (I have vowed to not have bright white vinvl on a boat EVER again).

Well, I was once again blown away by how much storage and room there is on the max. The last time I looked at one was at a boat show in January or February and I had forgotten how seriously HUGE that boat is! The mojo is a major upgrade in storage space coming from the outback v, but I can not justify paying more for it. The mojo is absolutely gorgeous with lots of gel color/pattern/graphics options and the max leaves something to be desired aesthetically, but man I cannot get over the storage space.

My fiancé and I plan on having kids soon and we already have a 6yo from my previous marriage, and once I sac out a mojo I can see the boat getting tight again with all the stuff that comes with young children. She 100% agreed. The dealer has a max build open that would ship end of May, and he can still make changes for a few more days (supposedly; can anyone confirm timeframes?). Here’s what we are looking at:

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No stereo options as I’d rather do this myself to get more bang for the buck.

Another thing he mentioned is an 8% price increase for 2019, can anyone confirm that as well?

Thanks for all the replies and bringing me back onboard guys!

I to have been a Chevy guy and was looking at Supreme and Axis for that very reason. After talking with my dealer, some emails to Skiers Choice and comparing the fit and finish of the 3 it was a no brainer to try a Ford engine and get a Moomba Mojo. I love it. I've only had it out twice but power is awesome, handles like a sports car (I'm coming out of stern drives), and good on fuel. I ordered my Mojo and toured the factory when mine was being built. I'm in Virginia and it was about a month from when they started the build until I took delivery at my dealer. Build time was 2 weeks and it sat on the lot for a week before I picked it up. Can't comment on the 8% but I'm sure they do an increase every year.

Looks killer!

Thanks for info on build time! We’ve been looking at it tonight and made a color change. Black metal flake on dark graphite. Tint the windshield and bam

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