When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Rinker 260 Express Cruiser 2009 and the Rinker 400 EC 2010 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Rinker 400 EC 2010 measures 41,5 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 13,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Rinker 260 Express Cruiser 2009 at 28,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rinker 400 EC 2010 tips the scales at 1 968 lbs — 1 293 lbs less than the Rinker 260 Express Cruiser 2009 at 675 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Rinker 400 EC 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Rinker 260 Express Cruiser 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker 400 EC 2010 could be the deciding factor.