Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 vs Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 or the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 is the longer of the two at 4,0 feet overall. The Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 or the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 184 lbs dry weight versus 614 lbs for the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 tops out at 375 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 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 is certified for 12. 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: Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 measures 147" wide, compared to 108" for the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 or the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 235 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. That 234-gallon difference translates to roughly 702–1170 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 and Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 and the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 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 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 vs Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008

Rinker

Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008

2008

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Rinker

Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 vs Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 against a modified vee Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 at 3,0 ft versus Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 at 4,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 tips the scales at 614 lbs — 430 lbs more than the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 has a 50-hp advantage over the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008's 375-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 carries 235 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

Bottom line: Choose the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 4,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeRinker

Model296 Captiva Bowrider

Model370 Express Cruiser

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)

Beam12 ft. 3 in. (3.73 m)

Beam - Meters2.74

Beam - Meters3.73

Beam - Inches108

Beam - Inches147

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m), 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m) with arch

Bridge clearance - Detail13 ft. (3.96 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.51

Bridge clearance - Meters3.96

Bridge clearance - Inches99

Bridge clearance - Inches156

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (60 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail6,140 lbs. (2,785 kg)

Weight - Detail18,400 lbs. (8,255 kg)

Weight - kg2785.05

Weight - kg8346.09

Weight - lbs.614

Weight - lbs.184

Length - Meters9.4

Length - Meters12.32

Length - Feet3

Length - Feet4

Length - Inches1

Length - Inches5

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 10 in. (9.4 m)

Length overall - Detail40 ft. 5 in. (12.32 m)

Length overall - Meters9.4

Length overall - Meters12.32

Length overall - Inches37

Length overall - Inches485

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi DP - 300 hp

Engine/s standardTwin Volvo 5.7 GXi DP - 320 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (378.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail235 gal. (889.6 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54

Fuel tank capacity - Liters889.57

Fuel tank capacity - Gal1

Fuel tank capacity - Gal235

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine max425 hp

Engine maxTwin 375 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower375 hp

Operational Info

Water capacityFresh: 10 gal. (37.85 l)

Water capacityFresh: 51 gal. (193.1 l)

Maximum peopleYacht Certified

Maximum peoplenot available

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

Holding tank capacity - DetailWaste: 45 gal. (170.3 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters102.21

Holding tank capacity - Liters170.34

Holding tank capacity - Gal27

Holding tank capacity - Gal45

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity6

Headroomnot available

Headroom6 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m)

Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 vs Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 or the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 is the longer of the two at 4,0 feet overall. The Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 comes in at 3,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 or the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008?

For trailering, the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 has the edge at 184 lbs dry weight versus 614 lbs for the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 tops out at 375 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 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 is certified for 12. 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.

Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 1 lbs per hp compared to 1 lbs per hp for the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 measures 147" wide, compared to 108" for the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 or the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008?

The Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 235 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008. That 234-gallon difference translates to roughly 702–1170 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 and Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Rinker 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 and the Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 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 296 Captiva Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Rinker 370 Express Cruiser 2008 full specs