When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Rinker 280 EC 2010 and the Rinker 380 Express Cruiser 2009 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 380 Express Cruiser 2009 measures 39,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 7,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Rinker 280 EC 2010 at 31,7 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rinker 280 EC 2010 tips the scales at 764 lbs — 580 lbs more than the Rinker 380 Express Cruiser 2009 at 184 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 380 Express Cruiser 2009 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Rinker 280 EC 2010 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker 380 Express Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.