TS6M question

Sorry if this is not permitted, I'm just looking for some input from real skiers, not hacks like me who would be thrilled with a tiller steered Bass Tracker.
Is anyone willing to give an assesment of a PCM Supra TS6M of about 92 vintage?
I am not bailing out of the Mustang project, just wonder what the strengths / weaknesses are vs a SN or Mustang.
Several extremely nice 80s SNs have shown up on my chain recently, both are red and very sharp. I seldom see Supras and wonder why.

Barefoot wake is non existent on the one I skied. Top end lacks a little. I would imagine slalom wake would be good as well. My friend just moved up to a 200o Malibu. He is not so sure he made the correct move as far as the wake is concerned. He had 1500 hours on it and things were starting to fall apart but it always gave us a good tow. Knowing all that I would still buy the 92 vintage correct craft. Much more solid build.

Thanks. I have skied the Supra, but I haven't skied enough inboards, nor am I good enough to have an opinion. How about an old 16' Mustang? I know it will work for me, but can a really good skier enjoy it? Barefoot behind it? Is it good at anything?

I owned an 89 Supra. Very nice boat. Style was way ahead of 89 SN, I think. Fit and finish, very nice. Good materials, stood up well.

Nice slalom wake, comparable or better than a 2001. Only problem was a fairly significant rooster tail at 22. Before and after that was fine. Maybe that could have been tuned down with the cavitation plate or a different prop, I never messed with it, since I was not a 22 off course skier.

Mine got a little sluggish in its later years (bought in 96, sold it in 06) Maybe it could have been brought back to life with some changes, but it was about a 40 mph boat at that point, so not great for footing but certainly doable.   Not sure how much better is was earlier on, but I seem to recall it being better.

Same drive train as the 89 SN, so no comparisons to be made there. (240 HP, PCM 1.23:1)

I would mostly agree with 63's comments above. The older boats are still ski boats and will pull like tractors. They have center mounted pylons and big V8's, so they'll pull every discipline without breaking a sweat- including barefooting. I don't recall if I've pulled 3 or more footers on any of my 16 footers... But I've done 2 plenty of times.

The older boats with their narrow beams and large wakes also make for fun trick skiing boats. Where they fall down in terms of skiing performance is slalom- wake size and shape is less than awesome, as is the tracking and spray. The 2001 was really the first "modern" cc ski boat, the NWZ was the first great cc slalom boat. The supra is comparable to the latter, from a skiing perspective, IMHO. The TSC+ ski nautiques are better- that is what my friend upgraded to after owning 2 Ts6m's. Any 2001+ SN will drive much better than the Supra, IMHO.

Building on Mark's comments, I think it is a slower hull. I was going to say for two reasons. One, it has a very deep stem/bow that about amidships turns back up to the flat portion of the back half of the hull. Supra touted that feature as making for a smoother ride than other, flatter ski boats. My second reason is not true. I was going to say the Supra is likely heavier than a 2001 because the hull cap had inside walls. See the picture of Okie Boarders cap when he split his to redo it. But I am wrong. I looked up the weights of both the supra and the 2001 and they are both 2350 pounds.   That surprised me.

Congrats John! Now you'll find out the difference between the boats through firsthand use.

I just watched some videos of a ~88 ts6m. As I figured the wake is superior to an NWZ. Tracking, construction etc probably subpar to any SN.

john b wrote: My wife is afraid it's a distraction and will result in the Mustang being put on hold even longer.

I think the opposite will happen if you are like 95% of the members of this site. The more you are out on the water and see the old boats out... the more it will inspire you to get the mustang done! I have a 99 so it really isn't that new but I always jump in the 83 MC and run up the lake when Dad has it at lake... I am only 41 but takes me back. At least twice a week, someone always asks if they can buy it... (kind of annoying as it is not being advertised lol) but hey.

There is a Supra dealer on the lake (since before I can remember) so there are quite a few around. Good boat and the comp is great to ski behind (no better than a NWZ though) never drove one but have skied one in late 80s. I think you will like it.