2011 Chattwake boat - Axis A22 Vandal Edition Part Deux

Chattwake

Well, I got the boat in on Friday and worked on it all weekend. First thing I did was swap the steering wheel. Next, I made LED speaker rings (which turned out ok, but not perfect. It was a messy job. Thank goodness my father-in-law has a full woodshop with all sorts of commercial machinery in it.

I then used a VLX amp board and mounted my amps and the distribution blocks. I used 0 gauge wire to feed the blocks this year and 4 gauge to all of the amps. I squeezed the amp board into the ob compartment and then ran my power wires. Next, I removed the factory battery holders/mounts. I placed two D3100 batteries from www.4xspower.com in the ob compartment against the back wall and wired them to the battery selector switch. I used the factory tie down straps to secure the batteries in place. Next, I ran the RCA wires and power/ground/remote to the footwell under the dash. I mounted the ws420 eq under the dash and hooked it up and hid the wiring. Next, I mounted the amp board to the wall.

I then dissembled my Wetsounds XXX sub box and had to reconstruct it inside the ob compartment. The box wouldn't fit through the hole in one piece. I proceeded with wiring the LED speaker rings and installing them behind the cabin speakers. The rear speakers are recessed so much that you can't really see the lights at night, so I'm going to move those rings up front and simply attach LED strips to the outside of the speaker grill on the rear speakers. Oh, I used all wetsounds xs650 interior speakers in the boat. They fit fine, you just have to cut all of the terminals off and crimp on larger female leads.

Next, I mounted the wetsounds Pro 485's on the tower. They fit perfect. No problems whatsoever. No fitment issues, etc. Still plenty of headroom. Next, I mounted the z5. It was super easy. I just put the center ring mounts on the front tower leg and left them sortof loose. I then put the z5 in the slots on the mounts and pinned them in for security. It was obvious that the planned mounting points for the rear z5 struts would not work with the 485's, so I had to relocate the rear mounting struts. I ended up placing the rear mounting rings on the top part of the front leg of the tower right up against the gusset piece. I used a shorter strut that z5 sent me. If you are going to go this route on your A22, you will need to request the shorter struts from Z5 and an extra set of curve bottom mounting sockets (you could just remove and relocate the sockets that come on the rack, but I left them in place in case the next owner doesn't want 485's and wants to put the struts in the factory locations.

The rack is sturdy as can be and fits perfect with the 485's. I honestly think I have more headroom under this z5 than I did under the one mounted on my 230. I couldn't be happier!

It sounds amazing. I think that the larger diameter power and ground wires, plus the fact that the batteries are so much closer to the amps, makes everything sound cleaner, with less interference, etc. The other thing that's great about this boat and this system is that the power (other than the a/c) comes directly from the battery distribution switch, and does not run through another fuse panel like it did on my 230. If I ever had the xxx pumping and the tower speakers and the cabin speakers going in my 230, it would pop a fuse and I'd have to reset everything. I hated that, and there was no easy way around it, unless I ran tons of wiring all through the 230. Not so with the A22.

I must say that the install was not easy. I'm still not done, because I have to put all clear lenses on the trailer, install the plug in play bags, and swap out the led speaker rings to the front. However, I'm much close to finished than I was on Friday.

I don't have any interior pictures yet, because the boat has not yet been cleaned up from the install. I do have some pics with the cover on so you can see how the z5/485's look. I'll finish up this weekend or one night this week and have some more photos for ya.

I'm super stoked about the boat. I can't wait to get it out and ride behind it.

Brit Rider · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 8:27 am Post subject:

Looks great! All black was definitely the way to go! Tower looks insane!

Did you fuse that 0 guage cable? I can't see anything in the pics.. Really each amp wire and the main feed should be fused. Though a fused distribution block would be an easy way to make this happen. How did you get on tuning the stereo with the amps and the WS420? I love setting customers boats up when they go for a multi amp setup with the WS420... Always fun and the difference between 'plug n play' and 'tuned' is huge.. Very Happy

Only minor constructive critism.....
Does that sub box need a little carpet or something to tidy it up? Looks like you stole it out of a teenagers car trunk! Laughing

Whens the maiden voyage?!

Chattwake · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 8:39 am Post subject:

The sub box got all kinds of scratched up during the installation. I plan on touching it up or sticker bombing it. I agree that it looks bad, but I knew it was gonna get scratched up.

Chattwake · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 8:40 am Post subject:

I intend to add a large 0 gauge in line fuse, but my stereo shop did not have one in stock so I'm going to have to order it.

Brit Rider · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 11:11 am Post subject:

Chattwake, Sticker bombing sounds fun... but I bet you'd be there all day adding them!

We need interior pics!! Very Happy

Bambamski · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 11:41 am Post subject:

how many batteries are you running? I was thinking about running two batteries last year and I bought a blue top battery to see if it would do the job. I had no problems with the battery last year so I think I'll just stick with the one battery setup and just get a charger for emergencies...

Looks good by the way! How does that tower handle the two large wetsounds speakers and horn? My tower sucks, I need to do some reinforcing maybe this year. I went with the one threesome and the two large speakers on either side, I think they 8's and the thing cranks! I'll bet you can hear your boat for miles on the water.

Chattwake · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 11:42 am Post subject:

Mine tower's rock solid. I swear this is my favorite tower so far.

I'm running two D3100's.

Sethjoe · Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 2011 Posts: 23

Looks pretty sick man, the z5 ties it all together very nice. Can't wait to see some interior pictures.

core-rider · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 531 City: Huntsville, AL

Have you given thought to powder coating the Z5 framework, board racks, and speaker mounts black? Sorry, that's just me being overly picky about mostly black with spots of polished parts. Other than that it looks good.

Chattwake · Posted: Feb 28, 2011 5:55 pm Post subject:

I personally like the look of some bright parts contrasting with the black. Plus powdercoating all that stuff would be a lot more work!

Alli_Gator · Newbie Joined: 20 Feb 2011 Posts: 46 City: Post Falls

Looks great! Congrats.

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 03, 2011 4:58 am Post subject:

Here are some interior pics that I took at night with my crappy iphone camera. I made some led speaker rings and installed them. I also added my Nardi brushed aluminum steering wheel. The boat has the new vandal carpet insert in it as well.

Not the best pictures, but it gives you an idea of what the boat looks like. I'll get better ones later.

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 03, 2011 4:59 am Post subject:

Sorry about the rag I left on the dash.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Lookin good!

Brit Rider · Posted: Mar 03, 2011 7:21 am Post subject:

JRW160 · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 367 City: Huntsville

Looks good. Looking forward to seeing it at board bonanza.

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 03, 2011 8:24 am Post subject:

Man, my wife's due date is that week, so it looks like I may have to go to wakebash instead this year. First time to miss BB since '04

brichter14 · Addict Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 705

I wish I had nice things

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 03, 2011 3:29 pm Post subject:

Work hard bro. It's not like you don't live in the land of opportunity!!!

key · Posted: Mar 04, 2011 5:48 am Post subject:

what no champagne holder?? Laughing

need to see that thing uncovered and on the water too man. last boat i never seen pics uncovered...... Neutral

jjaszkow · Posted: Mar 04, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject:

Those LEDs make it look really nice. Did you add that cupholder on top of the dash, or do they come from the factory in the 2011s? I notice that you decided on the carpet, for some reason I thought you were sold on the tatami.

brichter14 · Addict Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 705

Ya chart im just finishing up college and trying to find a job in the education market is hard. Ill eventually get an axis once im a little more grounded. Sweet boat.

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 14, 2011 5:42 am Post subject:

Some more pics. Put the spare on the trailer, clear lenses on the trailer, led cupholders, plug n play installed, mirror installed, cleaned and waxed. Whew!

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 14, 2011 5:44 am Post subject:

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 14, 2011 5:47 am Post subject:

One last pic!

Also, my 2.5 year old is ready to ride! Picked her up a Hyperlite 109 and some matching HL bindings last week. Trying to set the record for the youngest Axis wolfpack rider this summer!

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Jesus... that's cute! I have twin 9 year olds I am hoping to get in the water this year!!! How did you "make" the LED speaker rings? It all looks awesome!

STANG KILLA SS · Posted: Mar 14, 2011 7:41 am Post subject:

that boat is missing something i just cant put my finger on it.

got it! more black! Laughing

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 14, 2011 8:00 am Post subject:

I made the cupholders using a 1/4 sheet of acrylic from Low's, a bit that my father in law has for his drillpress that essentially lets you adjust two blades in or out to cut a hole whatever size you need. I'd cut rings out of the acrylic sheet and then smooth them out using a circular sanding bit on the drill press. I got some cheap led strip lights off of ebay for like $2 each and attached them to the outside of the cupholders. Then, I slid the rings over the lights/cupholders and wired them to my interior lights. Now that I've done it, I know what I'm doing and it's pretty friggin easy. (Oh, you have to cut twice as many rings as you need and double them up so they are a total thickness of 1/2 inch). Total cost to do 8 cupholders was like $35-40. The speaker rings were more because they used more acrylic, the led strips were a little more, and I had to buy large hole saws.

Brit Rider · Posted: Mar 14, 2011 8:01 am Post subject:

Chattwake, Excuse my ignorance buy how do you run the wiring on that tower? I've not seen one up close yet.

Blindside_137 · Posted: Mar 14, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject:

sooooo sick man lovin it, great work and congrats

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 15, 2011 12:08 pm Post subject:

Ack. Spam in my thread!

chawk610 · Addict Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 668 City: Fort Worth

Even worse... European spam! God save the Queen! Bullocks!

Brit Rider · Posted: Mar 16, 2011 1:54 pm Post subject:

chawk610, Hey, you calling my posts spam?! Haha Laughing

shonuff · Criminal Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 58 City: Atlanta

Let's see some wake pics Chatt! I know you took it out today!

Chattwake · Posted: Mar 18, 2011 7:09 pm Post subject:

I did get it out but I've got to break in the motor brotha!