Matching a modified vee Rinker 280 Express Cruiser 2009 against a deep vee Rinker Express Cruiser 400 2011 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 400 2011 measures 41,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 10,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Rinker 280 Express Cruiser 2009 at 31,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rinker Express Cruiser 400 2011 tips the scales at 1 968 lbs — 1 204 lbs less than the Rinker 280 Express Cruiser 2009 at 764 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.

The Rinker Express Cruiser 400 2011 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the Rinker 280 Express Cruiser 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 1 gal and 3 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Rinker Express Cruiser 400 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Rinker 280 Express Cruiser 2009 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker Express Cruiser 400 2011 could be the deciding factor.