Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 boat specs
Rinker
Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008
2008
View full specs →
VS
Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 boat specs
Rinker
Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003
2003
View full specs →

Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 vs Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 vs Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 carries a rated maximum of 425 hp. Engine data for the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 carries 165 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 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 Fiesta Vee 312 2003 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 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 Fiesta Vee 312 2003 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 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
MakeRinker
Model296 Captiva Cuddy
ModelFiesta Vee 312
Model Year2008
Model Year2003
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. 4 in
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.45
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches136
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m), 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)with Arch
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (60 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail6,140 lbs. (2,785 kg)
Weight - Detail12,360 lbs
Weight - kg2785.05
Weight - kg5606.4
Weight - lbs.614
Weight - lbs.1236
Length - Meters9.4
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet3
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 10 in. (9.4 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters9.4
Length overall - Meters10.31
Length overall - Inches37
Length overall - Inches406
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 9 ft. 06 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.9
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches114
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo 5.7 Gi DP - 300 hp
Engine/s standard260 PHP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (378.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail165 gallons
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters624.59
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal165
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine max425 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacityFresh: 10 gal. (37.8 l)
Water capacityFresh: 51 gallons Waste: 45 gallons
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Maximum peoplenot available
Headroomnot available
HeadroomCabin Headroom: 6 ft. 5 in

Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 vs Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 or the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003?
For trailering, the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 has the edge at 614 lbs dry weight versus 1 236 lbs for the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 is certified for 10. 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 is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 measures 136" wide, compared to 108" for the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 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 Cuddy 2008 or the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003?
The Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 has the bigger tank at 165 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008. That 164-gallon difference translates to roughly 492–820 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 and Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2008 and the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2003 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.