Both the Rinker Captiva 220 MTX 2012 and the Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 measures 33,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 10,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Rinker Captiva 220 MTX 2012 at 22,8 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 tips the scales at 13 635 lbs - 9 760 lbs less than the Rinker Captiva 220 MTX 2012 at 3 875 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 300 hp for the Rinker Captiva 220 MTX 2012 and 300 hp for the Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 carries 150 gallons versus 39 gallons in the Rinker Captiva 220 MTX 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 10 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.