www.iFourWinns.com

Admiral and I had a blast with our 2008 H180 this summer, so much so that I am trying to convince her that we should upgrade after just a year! (notice the lack of her input in the latter part of this statement ) We love the H180, but it has the 3.0 which seemed a bit overmatched with a loaded boat... and the boat itself was a little cramped. I was thinking of looking at something in the 20-21 foot range with an adequate engine to match. Browsing one of the local dealers website I stumbled across this...
http://www.skipperbuds.com/Page.aspx/diid/4199392/list/InventoryList/pageId/9033/view/Details/2007-Rinker-226-CAPTIVA.aspx

It's a 2007 Rinker 226 Captiva w/ a 350 MAG with only 93 hours. At first glance I really really like the layout of the boat, seems to make great use of all of it's footage. Couple quick questions for the experts on the forum...

1) What do you guys think of Rinker as a brand when it comes to quality/reputation/resale? My limited experience tells me that it is on the same general "level" as FW and Sea Ray... maybe a touch lower. What do you think?

2) $20,900 seems real low in my mind for a 2007 22' boat that at least on the site looks pretty clean?

3) 350 MAG sounds awesome, but it looks like it's paired to an Alpha as opposed to a Bravo III... any problems that you can think of with this set up?

4) What's the deal w/ a single axle trailer paired with this size boat? Anybody seen this or had a similar setup yourself? I like the thought of the extra maneuvarability, but a little worried that the trailer might be a reason why the boat is listed so low.

As always, many thanks in advance for the input... this forum has truly been invaluable as a first-time boat, and especially Four Winns, owner.

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2008 H200SS w/ 5.7L VP Gi
2009 GMC Yukon

Former Boat:
2008 H180 w/ 3.0L VP

LOTS of Rinkers in this area. Friends of ours had a 27' Rinker cruiser and loved it. I've talked to some other people with Rinkers and they all like their boats. After the Annapolis show last year my wife and I visited "demo day" at the local Rinker dealer and took out their new 31' cruiser (loved it). During the ride I asked the sales guy point blank why a comparable Sea Ray was priced about $30K higher. He said good question and it's something they are often asked as people are concerned Rinker may be priced lower due to a lower build quality. Not the case (according to the Rinker sales guy). He said the major difference is in the pricing of the components that go into the boat and that Sea Ray marks them up more than most brands. He used an electronics package with GPS and radar as an example with a side by side price sheet comparison....one from Rinker and the other directly from Sea Ray. The price difference between the brands for an identical electronics package was several thousand. Add that up over TVs, cockpit fridges, radar arches, and on and on and on and it all adds up. His basic point was that Rinker's are priced lower because they're priced more fairly. Take that for what it's worth. Logically, if the boat is priced lower to begin with against comparable boats then it should be priced lower on the used market against those same comparable boats.

As for our demo ride...granted this was a 31' cruiser and not a bowrider...but we loved the boat. It was a small craft adivsory day with white caps on the river and waves in the bay in the 4'-5' range and the boat was solid as a rock. It handled beautifully. Now that being said along with my comments above, I do believe that some of the price differences do come down to the little things. Not necessarily quality, but things like storage space, layout, etc. The Rinker didn't have any drawers in the galley whereas a comparable sized FW, Chaparral, or Sea Ray does have drawers. Little things like that. I wouldn't worry about the boat from a quality perspective in that Rinker as a company doesn't build good boats but make sure the boat you're looking at has been well maintained and that it has everything you want.

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'01 Vista 298

Back in the day I repaired fiberglass work for a couple of local dealers, the Rinker's hull (Fiberglass work) was not on par with Four Winns. Much thinner and not same quality. Maybe today, they are stronger. They are better built than a lot of entry level boats, maybe today better. They have survived the poor economy. But I wouldn't put them in the same class as FW's. IMHO anyway.

The first boat I bought after moving here was a 2008 H180 with the 3.0, great little boat. But the engine always sounded strained and after getting tossed around out here I was out of it in 6 months.

Went from that to a 2009 Stingray 225LR with a 300hp 5.7 Volvo DP and it was the best move I ever made by skipping the usual 20' V6 step. Stingrays are no FW as far as overall quality, I would put Rinker in the same catagory as being more a mid-line boat. I had no problems with the stingray, aside it was very light for a 23' footer, which was great for speed (60mph, cruise at 45 all day) but you had to be careful when its rough on the water. Only complaint was it didnt have a head, which is why I got rid of it, good deal came up on this 248 so I did a 180 from a fast bowrider to a pocket cruiser, so far its seems to be working out for the family. Personally I preferred throwing that Stingray around for hours but the wife and kids got bored with that pretty quick.

If the tires and axle on the trailer are enough for the boat weight I wouldnt worry about it, I doubt they would put the boat on the trailer (it appears to made for it) if it didnt have the capacity. My 225 was fairly light and it had a tandam trailer, but it had 14" tires and pretty small axles. They sold my old '09 225 for 23K where I traded it which I thought was a steal, it was in very nice shape, so there are all kinds of deals out there. Seems like a fair price on the Rinker, I''m sure it could be bought for less as well this time of the year. Just remember if you buy cheap you are going to take a beating on your trade..

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

BoatTEST just did a review of the 350 with different Mercury drives: http://www.boattest.com/resources/view_ ... ewsid=4354

22' (3,600#) seems like a large boat for a single axle trailer, but if the weight capacity is matched to the boat it shouldn't be a major issue. A tandem would be better if you're towing longer distances.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Thanks for the input folks, much appreciated. Between this forum and a few others that I watch... it appears the Rinker brand is respectable but definitely a notch or two below Four Winns.

As for the trailer, I looked up the manufacturer shown in the pictures and they make a couple models that are listed with single axles and a 4000 lb. rating. As this boat is pushing 3600-3700 lbs dry, this is definitely something to consider... any ideas on what a replacement tandem trailer would cost?

Rob- Thanks for the link re: engine reviews... I actually read that a couple days ago in my email as well! Was definitely surprised that the Bravo III did not seem to outperform the Alpha in top speed or fuel efficiency by much, so that eases my fears about the Mag 350 paired with an Alpha drive for the most part. From my understanding, the duo prop outdrives help with low speed planing and hole shot torque, would that be a fair statement?

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2008 H200SS w/ 5.7L VP Gi
2009 GMC Yukon

Former Boat:
2008 H180 w/ 3.0L VP

The trailer itself will weigh 800lbs or so, no way would they put a 3600lb boat on it if it has a 4K axle unless the trailer is from a different boat.

My guess is it has a 5200lb axle, if it has 6 lug ST225 tires then most likely thats what it has, they even make 6K axles with the 6 lug pattern so unless you ask whats on the sticker on that trailer you never know. The trailer on my H180 had a 5200lb axle. Granted if its a 800lb trailer + 4000lb boat thats still a little close with a 5200lb axle, tires will be the biggest issue if you tow long distances in the summer.

The dual props are supposed to get on plane quicker and track better at low speeds. On that size/weight boat with a 350mag holeshot should be no problem with any prop that has all its blades intact.

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Plus, with having the trim tabs, hole shot shouldn't be too much of a worry.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

For a few thousand more you could buy my boat! How would you like a Merc. 454 MPI with a Bravo1 drive? 25' with a cuddy. And I am only about an hour from you.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

07H200SS,

If you're in the market to sell send me the info, I've got a friend in the market for a boat. Not really what he's looking for but knowing his taste, he'd like yours.

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GXi/DP "Nauti Addiction"
Towed with a 2003 Suburban Z71

As tempting as that sounds, I think that's a little out of our price range, not to mention I don't think a 25' boat would work real great on some of the lakes we like to go to! (Translation, the admiral said no )


Was informed on Friday that the Rinker sold, so the search continues! Thanks to everyone for their input. If anyone stumbles upon a 20-22 footer in the upper midwest that looks like a good deal let me know!

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2008 H200SS w/ 5.7L VP Gi
2009 GMC Yukon

Former Boat:
2008 H180 w/ 3.0L VP

See my signature....

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

My buddy is selling his 1992 Stingray 698SX 454. Its a 23 foot cuddy. Located in Oshkosh as well. ASking $11,500 but willing to negotiate. It is super clean. Would never know its a 92. Did I mention this thing moves! He can easily out run me. I think it will do about 60-65MPH.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)