Randall “the Vandall” Harris joins the Axis Wake Research Team. Harris was inducted to the new price-point big wake boat company’s ranks, not for his impressive professional wakeboarding status, but because of his core riding and wakeboard boat ideals. He has always been in search of a ride that is about big wakes and functionality with solid style and a price tag that core riders like he and his friends can afford. This is what brought him to Axis. And this is why he believes the A22, the company, and he are a perfect fit.
When Harris was asked why he chose to align himself with a price-point boat manufacturer, specifically Axis, he explained it this way. “I come from a skateboard background. It’s a cheap sport. Really nobody I grew up with had a lot of money. I know a lot of skaters who would like to wakeboard especially my friends with young families, but generally the boats on the market are not affordable. Axis has made wakeboarding affordable without sacrificing wakes or quality.”
Harris was welcomed to the Axis Wake Research Team by the company’s Managing Director, Adam McCall. McCall had this to say about his newest teammate. “He rides because he loves it, not for a panel of judges. And you can’t fool him. He knows marketing hype and he knows how to filter that out of true performance and design..” McCall continued, “He’s a team player. He doesn’t have to be the center of attention, no more or no less important than anyone else on the team. He’s the type of guy we want in our boat; a rider who simply loves to ride.”
Harris has learned over his 11-year professional career that some boat features look better in a catalog than they function on the lake. That realization leaves him unimpressed by empty features found in so many other price-point wakeboard boats.
“The new Axis A22 is perfect for me because it’s simplistically functional. It gets the job done. It drives great and the wake is poppin’. There’s not as many frills or creature features, but I pretty much break and destroy all that stuff anyway,” Harris admits.
When Harris was asked about his favorite A22 feature he immediately began describing the wake and the A22’s two ballast systems. Harris explained that one of his favorite features is the ability to weight the boat down and displace a massive amount of water to produce a meaty wake. “That is my personal favorite because I like to get the wake as big as possible.” Harris continued, “Not only does it have three hard tanks to sink the boat, Axis also offers the optional Plug N’ Play ballast system. This system is for core riders like myself and families who want to maximize the wake without sacrificing space. It’s all electronically controlled and all hidden. You don’t see any ugly phat sacks and there’s still room for everybody to kick it in the boat,” Harris explained.
The Wakebox 900 Ballast System is included in each A22 and is the only hard tank, sub-floor wake enhancement system available in the price-point class. The Wakebox is comprised of three hard ballast tanks mounted below the floor in both the rear and center of the boat, totaling 900 pounds. He also really likes the available Plug N’ Play Ballast System. Harris said he opted for the Axis Plug N’ Play Ballast System to give him 1275 pounds more weight in the form of three custom designed Fly High sacks with quick disconnects. The Plug N’ Play ballast makes its home on either side of the engine and in the bow. All locations can be filled and drained at the dash.
According to Harris he is also very partial to the A22’s rider-friendly seating. “One of the other features that I love is the amount of people that can sit and face the rider and watch the action without having to get a major kink in their neck.”
Axis A22 seating is plentiful and customizable for a variety of riding situations. The rear seat is branded as SkyBox seating and gives passengers VIP treatment with a removable bench that can be positioned anywhere in the center of the lounge. Axis also designed the available ChillAX convertible walk-through seat to accommodate another wake sport spectator and provide a backrest for an additional passenger in the bow.
Harris went through the whole boat with McCall, pointing out his favorite A22 features and options, but the feature that rounded out his top three was the trailer jack. Yep, this meant a lot to him. He looked like a kid in a candy store when he discovered this small, but extremely useful standard feature. He blurted out, “Up and down with two fingers. Amazing! I love it!”
Harris summed up his feelings about being part of the Axis Wake Research Team with this statement, “When I get in the boat, I call it my office and I’m there to get a job done. I’m there to ride. That’s really my main objective. Axis and the A22 are helping me get the job done.” Harris concluded, “I’m a simple man and it’s [the A22] basically a simple boat with a lot of well thought out innovation. I’m excited!”
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