Pre-surf gate FAE

[onwi]

Has anyone here installed FAE on their pre-surfgate Axis.  I am interesting in installing FAE, but have been told I may lose some ability to work with the wedge.  I'd like to avoid that and want to see if anyone has been successful thus far.  TIA.

[Chia]

If you are unsure, give the FAE people a call.

I have FAE on my vlx, no surfgate. FAE easily clears the wedge.

[onwi]

I've been chatting with them.  They don't seem to want to commit.  I just want to know that I could return it should I find that I cannot use the wedge any longer. 

[BlindSquirrel]

I'm sure they would work with you on returning it if it doesn't clear. At least when I dealt with them, the were great to work with. 

[YeloBlammo]

They wouldn't make it so the wedge is inoperable.

There website shows the FAE clearing wedge in many photos.

 

[onwi]

They've specifically told me that some customers have lost the ability to control the wedge from the platform and suggested that I may have to put down the wedge before I get in the water.  The common solution was to raise the platform, but that really isn't an option with the way the 2012 axis platform is molded into the back of the boat.

[BlindSquirrel]

Eeesh, that's crazy. FAE is awesome, we have one, but having the wedge constantly up or down doesn't sound like it would be worth it. So the FAE would be in the way of the pins to lower the wedge through the platform hole? On my dad's boat I always lowered it while in the water anyway, instead of the hole in the platform. It was easier on his manual wedge. 

[YeloBlammo]

Gotcha. Yes. I've heard the same.

The location of the wedge door and the FAE make it so you couldn't reach the wedge. Not on all boats, but some.

[amsugg]

i have one on my 2011 it clears the wedge no issue the problem is releasing it is difficult but ... the guy from fae and myself engineered a cable release for the wedge. i can get pictures tonight for you, but its basically a stainless choke cable and you replace the pins on the release with cable stops.  it works well enough to not stress about it but i thought he was gonna refine it but fae has never done anything with it 

Edited July 2, 2021 by amsugg

[onwi]

@amsuggThat would be awesome.  I'd love to see how it works for you. Thanks.

[amsugg]

On 7/2/2021 at 2:50 PM, onwi said:

@amsuggThat would be awesome.  I'd love to see how it works for you. Thanks.

completely forgot my apologies ... ill make myself a note  

[amsugg]

Ok here you go 

[amsugg]

And not that you needed more info but this is the reason for the cable  

first pic is blocked access to release tabs

second pic is underside image 

third is just better angle for remote release handle