Matching a modified vee Rinker 260 Express Cruiser 2009 against a deep vee Rinker Express Cruiser 290 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Rinker Express Cruiser 290 2013 measures 31,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 3,8 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 Express Cruiser 290 2013 tips the scales at 8 875 lbs — 8 200 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 Express Cruiser 290 2013 is rated for 9 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 Express Cruiser 290 2013 could be the deciding factor.