When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2009 and the Rinker Express Cruiser 290 EC 2012 are deep 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?

The Rinker Express Cruiser 290 EC 2012 tops out at 380 hp. Engine specs for the Rinker 296 Captiva Cuddy 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 1 gal and 1 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.