Choosing between two used boats often comes down to the kind of day you plan to have on the water. In the boats personal watercraft market, that choice is especially clear when you put a classic ski boat next to a modern skiff. The Supra Mariah is a fresh-water tow boat with a long list of refreshed details. The Carolina Skiff is a newer, more open platform with room for a crowd. Both are used, but they point toward very different weekends.
Quick verdict
Go with the Supra Mariah if you want a ready-to-run lake ski boat with a one-owner history. Go with the Carolina Skiff if you want a newer, more spacious boat for group outings and fishing. The lower-priced Supra offers more turn-key character; the higher-priced Carolina Skiff buys a newer hull.
At a glance
| Aspect | 21' 1990 Supra Mariah | 2015 Carolina Skiff |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 8,000 | USD 10,000 |
| Year | 1990 | 2015 |
| Boat style | Ski boat | Skiff |
| Engine | Inboard | Fishing engine up front |
| Fuel capacity | 11-20 gallons | |
| Passenger capacity | Holds 8 people | |
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Key upkeep | New gel coat, new rubber rail, new tires | New battery, greased steering column |
The $2,000 price spread makes sense when you compare what each boat emphasizes. The Supra puts its budget into refreshed cosmetics and tow-boat hardware, while the Carolina Skiff spends it on a newer platform with broader passenger space.
Where each boat wins
Where the Supra Mariah wins - It is built around towing. The fresh-water setup and composite hull are complemented by a dealer inspection, so you know the engine and systems have been looked at.
Where the Carolina Skiff wins - It is built around people and fishing. The open skiff layout and fishing engine up front suit group days, and a more modern base makes it feel current.
Product notes
Supra Mariah
The lower-priced Supra Mariah is a 1990 model with one owner and indoor storage. It lists all stainless hardware, a new gel coat, a new rubber rail, good upholstery and carpet, and a trailer with new tires. The 351 PCM Cleveland Block engine shows 785 hours. The all-stainless details and good seat and carpet condition show attention to the parts that usually age first on a boat. The limitation is practical: fuel capacity is listed at 11 to 20 gallons and the boat is designated for fresh water. That points to lake use rather than long open-water runs. If your weekends are centered on pulling skiers, these details line up well.
Carolina Skiff
The higher-priced Carolina Skiff is the more modern boat, with title in hand. The trailer comes with a bill of sale, and the seller says nothing is wrong with it. It has a new battery and a greased steering column. The open skiff layout delivers generous passenger space for group outings, and the seller's note about the new battery and greased column removes some of the usual used-boat guesswork. The trade-off is that you're paying more for a newer, simpler platform that doesn't carry the same refreshed classic details the Supra lists. If you want a newer hull with a fishing-friendly setup rather than vintage ski-boat character, this is the one.
Final choice by use case
For towing skiers: Choose the Supra Mariah. Its inboard engine and composite hull make it the natural pick for lake tow sports.
For group excursions: Choose the Carolina Skiff. Its 8-person capacity and 2015 model year give you a more modern ride for carrying family and friends.
