Axis Wake Research A20 - Proper Loading

DO NOT overload your boat. Overloading or uneven loading
can cause loss of control, capsizing, or swamping, which may
lead to death or serious injury. Adhere to the load capacity plate
restrictions, and always account for persons, gear, and all non-
factory-installed ballast or other equipment.
Your boat is equipped with a maximum load capacity plate indicang the maximum acceptable load as
determined by the manufacturer following certain Federal guidelines. In addion to following these weight
guidelines, it is crical that you properly distribute this weight throughout the boat. If too much weight is placed
in one area it can have serious impact on the boat’s handling and control, which has the potenal to lead to injury
or death.
The load capacity plate is used by boat manufacturers parcipang in the Naonal Marine Manufacturers
Associaon cercaon program. Your manufacturer has submied your model for inspecon and compliance
with their guidelines. The maximum number of persons allowed on the boat has been determined by the
manufacturer and displayed on the capacity plate. (Addional informaon regarding weight distribuon appears
in the Get Ready secon of this owners manual.) This informaon on the capacity plate applies under normal
condions and special care must be used in any abnormal condions. Check the capacity plate on your boat and
abide by these limits.
The capacity plate has the following informaon permanently printed on it:
• The total weight of persons, gear and other items which the boat is capable of carrying under normal
condions. This weight must include any added ballast above and beyond boat manufacturer’s factory
installed ballast system(s).
Any non-factory-installed ballast must be properly secured to
prevent injury.
Do not fill the bilge area with water. Excessive water in the bilge
can cause changes in boat trim and reduce boat stability which
may lead to submergence or capsize.
Although water intrusion and waves spilling inside a boat is an obvious boang hazard, this hazard
can be increased when weighng your boat for water sports such as wakeboarding or wakesurng. As
wakeboarding has evolved, ballast systems have been developed to add weight and increase the size of
the wake. The simplest ballast system on the market is the water ballast type, such as the “FAT SAC.” The
quest for the largest wake has caused some boat operators
to excessively overload their boats. It is not uncommon to
see operators use aermarket ballast systems and then put
addional people and gear in their boat. Be advised that this
pracce can lead to overloading your boat which may lead to
any of the following: changes in handling and performance;
capsizing, ooding, and sinking; boat occupants going
overboard. Do not overload your boat.
Always be aware of the load in your boat and do not
load the boat in excess of the listed capacity. Each boat has a
maximum capacity label displaying the maximum weight of
people, gear and ballast that can be placed in the boat.
When loading your boat, give aenon to the eect that
the load distribuon has on the boat’s trim angle. Trim angle
is the technical term for the up or down pitch angle of your
boat (also known as the “bow up” or “bow down” angle).
The fore and a load distribuon of weight, passenger, and
gear can aect the running trim angle of the boat.
• Excessive weight placed in the stern of the boat can
cause the inability to get on plane, high bow up angles,
and can lead to steering dicules. High bow up angles
can be dangerous due to the reducon in the operator’s
forward visibility which can lead to collisions and
PROPER
LOADING
WEIGHTING
YOUR BOAT
DURING
WATERSPORT
ACTIVITIES
2016 Axis Wake Research Owner’s Manual . . . Page 1-14