Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 vs Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 or the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 312 lbs dry weight versus 495 lbs for the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 and Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 or the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008?

The Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 42 gallons on the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 and Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 and the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 are built by Rinker. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 vs Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008

Rinker

Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003

2003

View full specs →

Rinker

Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 vs Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 vs Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 carries 75 gallons versus 42 gallons in the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeRinker

Model212 Captiva Bowrider

Model246 Captiva Bowrider

Model Year2003

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (55 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [max] - Detail36 in

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail3,120 lbs

Weight - Detail4,950 lbs. (2,245 kg)

Weight - kg1415.21

Weight - kg2245.28

Weight - lbs.312

Weight - lbs.495

Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 5 ft

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters1.52

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches6

Height - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 20 in

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 2 in. (7.97 m)

Length overall - Meters6.6

Length overall - Meters7.98

Length overall - Inches26

Length overall - Inches314

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. (1.52 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.97

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches2

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard190 PHP

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.0 GXi SX - 270 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail42 gallons

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (283.9 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters158.99

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal42

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Operational Info

Water capacitynot available

Water capacityFresh: 10 gal. (37.85 l)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people12

Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 vs Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 or the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 has the edge at 312 lbs dry weight versus 495 lbs for the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 and Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 or the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008?

The Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 42 gallons on the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 and Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 and the Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 are built by Rinker. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Rinker 212 Captiva Bowrider 2003 full specs ← Rinker 246 Captiva Bowrider 2008 full specs