Both the Rinker Captiva 236 BR 2013 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 9,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Rinker Captiva 236 BR 2013 at 23,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 tips the scales at 13 635 lbs - 9 020 lbs less than the Rinker Captiva 236 BR 2013 at 4 615 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 Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Rinker Captiva 236 BR 2013 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 carries 150 gallons versus 41 gallons in the Rinker Captiva 236 BR 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 Captiva 236 BR 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rinker Captiva 236 BR 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Rinker Captiva 236 BR 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 23,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rinker Express Cruiser 310 EC 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.