Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Rinker 320 Express Cruiser 2008 vs Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Rinker 320 Express Cruiser 2008 is a modified-V design and the Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 320 Express Cruiser 2008 measures 34,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 14,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013 at 19,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rinker 320 Express Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 12 360 lbs - 9 035 lbs more than the Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013 at 3 325 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 300 hp, the Rinker 320 Express Cruiser 2008 has a 100-hp advantage over the Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013's 200-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 320 Express Cruiser 2008 carries 165 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013. 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 320 Express Cruiser 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker 320 Express Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Rinker 320 Express Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 34,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rinker Captiva 196 OB 2013 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
Model320 Express Cruiser
ModelCaptiva 196 OB
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam11 ft. 4 in. (3.45 m)
Beam96 in. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters3.45
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches136
Beam - Inches96
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 6 in. (2.89 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.9
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise18℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (0.43 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail12,360 lbs. (5,606 kg)
Weight - Detail2,500 lbs. (1,135 kg) dry 3,325 lbs. (1,510 kg) wet
Weight - kg5606.4
Weight - kg1508.19
Weight - lbs.12360
Weight - lbs.3325
Length - Meters10.56
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet34
Length - Feet19.5
Length - Inches8
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail34 ft. 8 in. (10.56 m)
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 6 in. (5.94 m)
Length overall - Meters10.57
Length overall - Meters5.94
Length overall - Inches416
Length overall - Inches234
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardTwin MerCruiser 5.0 l MPI B2 - 260 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail165 gal. (624.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (99 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters624.59
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Gal165
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max300 hp
Engine max200 hp (149 kW)
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Headroomnot available
Sleeping capacity6
Sleeping capacitynot available
Water capacityFresh: 39 gal. (147.6 l)
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - DetailWaste: 45 gal. (170.3 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters170.34
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal45
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people9 (7)