2006 Express Cruiser

jrebeschi

Hi all.

New to the site.

Thinking of moving up over the winter from a 1999 212 Festiva to a 2006-2008 250 E.C.

Any thoughts, comments or advice would be helpful.

Thanks

jklein

I love mine - 2006 250 EC. I upgraded from a 1989 22 footer and it is worlds apart. My only recommendation beyond the obvious (get as clean a boat as possible) is look for the bigger engine. I have the mag 350 and fully loaded - people,fuel,water,waste it takes a while to plane. Other than that I couldn't be happier. Some items to expect (based on my 1 season ownership - new batteries, fresh water pump and new hot water heater. The only mechanical I had was a water pressure sensor for cooling and it was a faulty sensor. Good luck.

TikiHut2

Plenty of 270s around and you get a bit more beam which helps all the way around. It was what got us in ours and we really like it. Actually typing this while anchored out on-board for a long weekend. Just a thought, and good luck in your search.
Mike

jrebeschi

Thanks for the response. Love my 212 but we want to be able to stay overnight more comfortably.

Not many Rinkers where I live but feel the value and build quality can't be beat.

jr

jrebeschi

TikiHut2,

Thanks. Towing is always a concern (don't know why I always have a slip) so how do you handle the larger beam?

TikiHut2

We belong to a large group of trailer boaters (many are larger than ours) and the beam on a 270 isn't really an issue since It's only a few inches over the 8-6" legal width at 9'-1" so I can either buy a $20 annual permit in Florida (which I did our 1st year) or just pull it, which is what I'm currently doing. If it was a foot or more over the limit I'd make sure to simply pay the tax/permit. When we were shopping it was pretty amazing how much more room a few extra inches of beam made down inside and in the cockpit for guests.

We use a tri-axle trailer w/dic brakes but there are others here who pull their 270 on a HD tandem just as well. I use a 3/4ton Suburban with a gas 6ltr Vortec which is fine at 60-65mph in Fl but I'd want a bit more truck if I was pulling where it was hilly, really often or further than 2-300mi. It stops in a straight line and pulls like it's on a rail so trailering is pretty easy once you get the system down and then every lake in the state (or further) can be yours in just a few hours......and you'll also have your own private apt. Have fun looking.

Good luck in your search. Mike

Here's our rig packed for Labor day weekend: