Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Rinker
Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006
2006
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VS
Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 boat specs
Rinker
Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004
2004
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Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 vs Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 vs Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeRinker
MakeRinker
Model342 Express Cruiser
ModelFiesta Vee 312
Model Year2006
Model Year2004
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam12 ft. 0 in. (3.65 m)
Beam11 ft. 4 in
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Meters3.45
Beam - Inches144
Beam - Inches136
Bridge clearance - Detail9 ft. 8 in. (2.08 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.95
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches116
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (60.9 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [drive up] inches22
Weight - Detail14,280 lbs. (6,477 kg)
Weight - Detail12,360 lbs
Weight - kg6477.29
Weight - kg5606.4
Weight - lbs.1428
Weight - lbs.1236
Length - Feet37
Length - Feetnot available
Length overall - Detail37 ft. 0 in. (11.27 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters11.28
Length overall - Meters10.31
Length overall - Inches444
Length overall - Inches406
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail36 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches36
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailBridge Clearance: 9 ft. 06 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters2.9
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches114
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail235 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail165 gallons
Fuel tank capacity - Liters889.57
Fuel tank capacity - Liters624.59
Fuel tank capacity - Gal235
Fuel tank capacity - Gal165
Drive typeI/O
Drive typenot available
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard260 PHP
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity6
Sleeping capacitynot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacityFresh: 51 gallons Waste: 45 gallons

Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 vs Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 or the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004?
For trailering, the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 has the edge at 1 236 lbs dry weight versus 1 428 lbs for the Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 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 342 Express Cruiser 2006 measures 144" wide, compared to 136" for the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004. 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 342 Express Cruiser 2006 or the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004?
The Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 has the bigger tank at 235 gallons, versus 165 gallons on the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004. That 70-gallon difference translates to roughly 210–350 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 and Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Rinker 342 Express Cruiser 2006 and the Rinker Fiesta Vee 312 2004 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.