Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 vs Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 or the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012?

The Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 comes in at 26,2 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 tops out at 320 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 is certified for 7. 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 260 Express Crusier 2008 and Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 and Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 75 gallons and 75 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 and Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 and the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 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 260 Express Crusier 2008 vs Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012

Rinker

Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008

2008

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Rinker

Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 vs Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 against a deep vee Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 430 hp, the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 has a 110-hp advantage over the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 75 gal and 75 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeRinker

Model260 Express Crusier

ModelCaptiva 246 BR

Model Year2008

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. (2.13 m), 9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.9

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches114

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18℃

Deadrisenot available

Depth - DetailKeel to top of windshield: 8 ft. 4 in. Top of arch to aft keel point (shipping position): 11 ft. 6 in

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters350.52

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches138

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail26 in. (66 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.66

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] inches26

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail6,750 lbs. (3,062 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg3061.75

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.675

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters8.79

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet28

Length - Feet26.17

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 2 in

Length overall - Meters8.79

Length overall - Meters7.98

Length overall - Inches346

Length overall - Inches314

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMercruiser 5.0 MPI B2 - 260 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (283.9 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard

Engine max320 hp

Engine max430 hp

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Headroomnot available

Sleeping capacity4

Sleeping capacitynot available

Water capacityFresh: 33 gal. (124.9 l)

Water capacitynot available

Holding tank capacity - DetailWaste: 27 gal. (102.2 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters102.21

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal27

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 vs Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 or the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012?

The Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 comes in at 26,2 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 tops out at 320 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 is certified for 7. 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 260 Express Crusier 2008 and Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 and Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 75 gallons and 75 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 and Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Rinker 260 Express Crusier 2008 and the Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 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 260 Express Crusier 2008 full specs ← Rinker Captiva 246 BR 2012 full specs