'86 Rider vs Rider XL vs SunSport - whats the diff?

[wakezone]

Hey guys, I have a '86 Rider XL with a 454, and I have been searching around looking for info on this 'Rider XL' model Supra, and I can't find much on it. I had a 85 SunSport, a long time ago, but this Rider XL is a bit different with large bow rails, odd windshield frame, and a big block. As well, the whole hull is solid color. Is that the only difference? Is 'Rider XL' just a type of SunSport? or a different boat model all together. I mean, it looks pretty much the same.

A quick search of this forum revealed a lot of posts with people referring to the Rider as the model, but I didn't see any XL...

Appreciate any info.

[Blackntan90]

I for one would love to see some pics of your XL.

[wakezone]

These two photos are of the Rider XL 454 as it was after I replaced the stringers and floor -rear of the engine. The floor was so-so at best but I was in a hurry to get it on the water for summer. The stringers under the engine had been replaced before I got it, so I decided to do the back first, then the front in the fall. 85548555

I reinforced the front floor and replaced the decking under the cooler, but did not go into the front stringers at that point. The other pic is the rear stringer replacement. In the back, I opted to remove the stock foam and replace it with sand; same under the ice chest where the bilge starts. I decided to stop the bilge, and separate the sand with a little wall. 85568557

8558

[wakezone]

855985608561

[wakezone]

I just did the front stringers and the rest of the floor, here are some more pics. 85628563

This weekend I painted the engine and changed the front port seat to a bench. I have multiple batteries and amps in that front port side, so I decided to cut out the fiberglass around the battery and glove box to give better access. 8564

[wakezone]

Ya I cut the windshield arms off and used the wood trim on top to cover the fiberglass. I started to wet sand the back i got the transom and a couple feet up both sides before i gave up and just buffed it. The RPM is around 4K at about 42 mph, but i put a new style 3 blade prop on it so it jumps on plane really quick.

[wakezone]

While researching this boat my gf ran across another 86 supra sunsport skier on clist that was a total survivor, cream puff condition, one owner, always garaged and covered, super new trailer, a clean boat that needed floor and stringers, so I bought it today. So now the question of whether there is a difference in the hull? What should I look at first? 85668567

[wakezone]

Funny this SunSport has the windshield arms, but not the front rails. 8569

[zroe]

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but I am curious if you ever found a difference in the Rider and Sunsport (skier) hull?

[Jetlink]

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but I am curious if you ever found a difference in the Rider and Sunsport (skier) hull?

I would guess about two feet in length and then the windshield is slightly different initially.

[Mischief IV]

I would guess about two feet in length and then the windshield is slightly different initially.

Not entirely true and for the record, Supra never made a boat called the XL.
Depends on what year Sunsport you are comparing the Rider to for size comparison.

Earlier model Sunsports (starting in 1985) were identical to the Rider hull in length, beam, width at transom and draft at stop.

For early 80s, the Rider, Sport, Star and Beast (and Allegro) were 19'6" in length. Width at beam was 95" and 81" at transom. Draft was 24". (Allegro draft was 26")
The Rider was introduced in 1983 as the first open bow competition ski boat.
The models prior to the Rider in 1981 and 1982 were the Beast, Star, and Sport which were all closed bow.
Beast came standard with the 454 and optional 454 high performance rated at 425 horsepower.
Star and Sport came standard with a 350 Chevy and optional 351W or the 454 options. A Chrysler 440 was an option for a short time.

The 1985 Sunsport was also 19'6", 95" beam & 81" at transom. Draft was 24". (See above specs)
The only difference was that the Rider weighed in at 100 pounds more than all the other models including the Sunsport. 2800 lbs vs 2700 lbs. Why? I don't know. The Rider was the top model among the Sport and Star and only boat that came with trash bag as standard equipment. (Not making this up!)
The Allegro weighed 3100 lbs.

The Comp (smallest boat) was the longest in their lineup introduced in 1984 (until the Saltaré circa 1986) was longer by an inch at 19'7" but had 84" beam, 72" width at transom, 22" draft and only weighed 2200 lbs.

As the Rider (open bow) and Beast (closed bow) were phased out in model name, the Sunsport and Marauder names appeared with same hull and same design. They called it the SupraTrac Hull for many years.
There were actually four models in 1985 appearing as:
1. Sunsport (open bow)
2. Sunsport Skier (open bow)
3. Marauder (closed bow)
4. Marauder Skier (closed bow)
The Skiers were the higher end models with adjustable wake plate and dual tournament speedos as standard equipment. Motor options were the 350, 351W and 454 for all Sunsport and Marauder boats.

Internet myth says the Sunsport has a deeper Vee than Rider but no one has ever proven that to be correct. Nothing on paper shows any difference.

Starting in early 90's, the Sunsport grew to 20' 11"in length. Beam grew three inches to 98" with same draft. Same size gas tank at 37 gallons but could now hold 10 people vs 8. It came in at 2900 lbs in weight. Eventually, the Sunsport hull was used for the Launch hull which was introduced in the late 90's.

The Sunsport was the longest continuous use nameplate for Supra to date.
Used from 1985 to 2013. Later models were called the Sunsport 20V, Sunsport 22V, Sunsport 24V until discontinued with the Sunsport 242 in 2013.

Unfortunately, Skiers Choice today has no imagination and can't think of a cool name for their new boats like the Sunsport or the Rider.
Charles D. Fowler was the man!

[SUPRA_ALLEGRO_LANE]

Best description of the models Mischief

[zroe]

Thanks Mischief!