Axis Wake Research A20 - Bilge System

Another crical component in the safe operaon of the boat is a properly funconing bilge system. The
bilge is a void between the deck and hull in which unintended water accumulates as it is drained from other
areas of the boat. (It does not include the water in the ballast system, which is deliberately added to the boat
and must be dealt with separately.)
As noted in the Care and Maintenance secon of this Owner’s Manual, the bilge should be rounely
checked, and drained as necessary. The automac funcon will oen keep the system free of excess water.
Too much water in the system can aect the boat’s handling under operaon, and can potenally swamp a
boat, causing damage to other components in the bilge compartment.
There are two (2) bilge pumps in all boats. One pump is located in the center of the boat, directly below
the center pie-plate access. The second pump is located at the transom of the boat, a of the engine on the
port side.
Bilge pumps can be turned ON manually or automacally. To turn ON the pump manually, nd the
switch on screen or switch on the dash. See the Instrument Panel and Gauges secon of this Owner’s
Manual for addional informaon on operaon through the screen. The bilge pumps are also equipped
with a sensor to automacally trigger instant-on if water is sensed around the pump. This funcons at all
mes. The automac mode will always be acvated, even if the baery isolator switch is turned to the OFF
posion. Therefore, be certain the pump is working properly and there is no kink in the output hose before
storing the boat for long periods of me since the bilge pump will connue to run as long as it senses water.
Otherwise, this could cause a baery to drain and could ulmately damage the pump over me.
All Axis boats are equipped with drain plug sensors. When the sensor does not detect a secured drain
plug, an indicaon will be displayed on the tachometer. This alerts the operator to verify that the plugs are
installed and ghtened securely at both the center drain and the transom drain. The visual indicator should
be regarded as an indicator only. Operators should always check that the drain plugs are secure prior to
every operaon!
Drain plugs must always be checked to be certain they are
SECURELY installed prior to every outing and operation. Visual
indicators are not validation that the plugs are installed, but
rather only assistance in the process. Failure to install the drain
plugs will allow water to intrude into the boat and can result in flooding, swamping and
sinking the boat. Such action could result in damage to the boat that is not covered under
warranty as well as serious injury or death to persons on-board.
After manual operation of the bilge is complete, return the switch
to the automatic position. If it is left in the manual position and
there is insucient water in the bilge to pump, the bilge pump
will cause it to eventually fail, and such action is not covered
under warranty. Malibu recommends testing the function of the bilge pump prior to each
use of the boat. This can be done by simply turning the pump(s) on and making sure they
are running.
There will likely be a small amount of water in the bilge at all mes as the pump cannot eliminate 100%
of water. A minor amount of water is acceptable. However, operators should monitor bilge water levels
through the center pie-hole access plate. In all models, this hole is located in the center of the oor near
the driver’s helm. (It may be under carpet or mat.) It should remain secure during operaon and opened
when the boat is staonary and the engine not running. Be certain to close the access plate before operang
the boat again. Since the threads on the plug can somemes be misdirected when securing, double-check.
Individuals on-board could trip and injure themselves if the drain plug is not secured properly.
All boats are equipped with two (2) drain plugs, a ½” drain plug on the transom and a T-handle drain
plug in the center of the boat. The ½” drain plug can be accessed outside the boat, directly under the swim
plaorm on the center back of the transom. On Axis boats, the T-handle can be accessed inside the boat
through the center pie-hole. Be certain to read the above informaon regarding SECURELY installing drain
plugs prior to all oungs.
The bilge system plugs should be removed at the conclusion
of any boating outing in which the boat is removed from water.
This assists in the draining process. Axis recommends keeping
the handles stored in a designated storage compartment on a
routine basis so that they are always easy to locate prior to the next outing. Never launch
2016 Axis Wake Research Owner’s Manual . . . Page 2-40
BILGE
SYSTEM