Rinker for Cabin Headroom

itallman

Good Day Everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a cruiser in the near future and wanted to know everyone's thoughts on the headroom of the 360 EC vs other Rinker cruisers. I'm 6'6" and will likely purchase a used boat. I have narrowed the choices down to a Formula 34PC or the Rinker 360 EC. Reading up on value, cost and customer satisfaction I'm leaning towards the Rinker. How do you rate the Rinker as a overnight cruiser?. Also when looking for a used boat what do you recommend as far as an engine size is concerned. I plan on boating off the Florida east coast/carribean, and possibly inter-coastal waterways. I'll primarily carry no more than 4-6 passengers.  Also if I find a used Rinker that has an open forward stateroom, is it possible to get the wall installed by Rinker. 

Thanks everyone for this informative community, it is one of the reasons that Rinker is leading my decision!

itallman

Black_Diamond

I have a 342 and done many an overnight, long weekend and week + vacations. You'll love a Rinker . Several FL guys on here who I'm sure will chime in too.

Michael T

I hope we can welcome you to the Rinker forum thread as a Rinker Cruiser owner in the future. I have just purchased a 2014 Rinker EC 360. To be fair to you I must state that I have owned 5 new Rinkers and 7 Rinkers in total. Just to satisfy my curiosity I did look at other boats before making this newest Rinker purchase. I looked at new - Cruisers 350, Formula PC370 and Chaparall 350. None of them had anywhere near the headroom of the Rinker EC 360 .I'm 6'6" so cabin height and height in the head and both berths is very, very important to me. The top height of the other cruisers was 6'6" so the EC 360 at 6'11" was way taller than of ANY other cruiser I looked at or any express cruiser that I have ever been in. The Rinker EC 360 had 6' 11" from the beginning of the cabin right to the galley, then it was 6'8" right to the front berth where it was 6'6" - WAY more height than any other cruiser. The Rinker also had far more features than any other cruiser - a seperate shower stall that is 6'8" to the light and another 1.5" above that to the ceiling of thew shower - totally fantastic. The front berth is a bit short for me but I am going to extend it 2". The aft berth (usually called the mid cabin) has all kinds of room for me to stretch out in - of course along with my wife. Regarding horse power - I always believe that more is better so I ordered the twin 502s although I'm sure you'd be fine with twin 6.2s (377 magnums). Rinker Yan (a knowledgable contributor to this list) can make a good case for diesels if he chooses to make comments. If a brand new Rinker is not in this budget you may wish to look at a used Rinker Ec 360,  EC 350 or a used Rinker FV 342. Having been boating for over 40 years I have never found a boat that comes anywhere near the value of a Rinker.  As well, their hulls are built ocean tough. BTW the cabin refreshment area of the 342, 350 and 360 have a refrigerator, an ice maker, a sink and a blender. Try to find that combination anywhere but a Rinker. Good Luck. :-) MT

TikiHut2

Ok RY, those diesel fumes from your boat are causing a spike in your sarcasm. We all know how you love that greasy old diesel fuel. Now back to the posters point.

Michael T

Hey Itallman, I forgot to answer te part of the question that pertained to closing the front berth area. I could have ordered that option from Rinker (for about 5+ grand) when I ordered my 2014 Rinker EC 360 this fall - but - I don't like the wall. In my opinion it closes off the cabin area (obviously) but in so doing makes the cabin area look smaller and even with an air access cut-out in the door to the front berth it alters (not in a good way) in my opinion, the airflow not only of the entire cabin but also in the berth. I had a friend who removed the wall because he felt the air flow was hindered to the point that the cabin and berth felt musty - which was quite a job. Getting the wall out was okay but we spent a lot of time matching materials to make the result look normal or natural. I used to own a construction company and I can tell you it would be quite easy to install a wall after you purchased a boat - if you REALLY wanted one. There are two, not so obvious, things you would have to do. First make sure you cut a big enough screened access to the door into the front berth to allow the unhindered flow of air for the A/C and Heating in to and out of the front berth. Second, you should NOT firmly fix that wall to all contact points of the floor, hull sides and the ceiling (deck) because that wall has to be allowed to flex in a free manner or stress cracks will appear on the outside gelcoat of the hull. Any decent construction company who knows about boats could do that for you. My cost would have been about $2500.00 which would have included the wall structure a vented door, fabric with sound insulation covering and artichitectural flexible joints at the walls and ceiling deck with fixed points at the floor. As well you would have to make sure that you did not deny access to any in floor mechanical closets. My bottom line. I don't like the closed front berth (the curtain is fine for me) but if you want to construct one after-the-fact you should be able to get one done that looks and fcns at least O.E.M. for $2,500.00 or less. Good Luck! MT

Dream_Inn

RinkerYan said:

Al, so whats the difference between the 3 besides total length? 

The 410 & 420 are virtually the same except the rumble seat and swim platform.  The 390 & 400 are also almost the same (400 has couch instead of wrap around in salon) except the rumble seat & swim platform.  As far as between the 400 & 420, well quite a bit is different.

RY, you need to join us next summer & see the differences!

   I'll make sure you know the next time we are in Solomons.  (for sure we'll be there in June)

Dream_Inn

It's funny how we had a 410 and 420 on my dock and I never knew or thought about the difference the V drive would make.  I had been in the 420 quite a bit, but maybe once in the 410.  I do know the 420s Engine Room was huge!

Al, did they ever make the 420 with the B2 drives?  I had only seen them with the B3.

Dream_Inn

I know a couple that had the 496 H.O. (like mine).

Michael T

Unless I've mixed-up my boats the 420 was awesome in many other ways too. I was on one and I think it had a full sized refrigerator/freezer, a full stove/oven set-up and a washer/dryer combination. It had 496 Mag. H.O.s and went like stink. MT

Michael T

Yes, I remember. I think the trash compactor was in a slide out drawer behind the helm seat? The teak was awesome. The new flex steel couches are the envy of the industry. Most (even the REAL expensive ones) are still stuck with the drop table filler cushion ideas in their cabin areas - Rinker has them all beat in this area too! When I look all the way back across the Rinker line (and I'm plenty old enough to do that ) I have never seen any boat manufacturer ANYWHERE that has come up with so many practical, innovative and just plain cool boating ideas! I know that's because you guys skied behind them, raced them around and had some beers/margaritas on them - and it shows. Some of the cr*p I see on other manufacturer's boats makes me wonder - did anyone from the company ever use that in REAL life before it went to production????? Rinker stands out across time as a fabulous boat innovator who has brought cool stuff that WORKS to we boaters!  THANK YOU - AL and buddies!!!!!MT

Dream_Inn

Yep, definitely love the fold out couch!  Everyone has their points for certain boats.  Our dislikes for the 420 was the huge fridge because I've seen esactly how much draw it has.  You basically have to have the generator on when anchored.  Access to some items in the cabin, seacocks & shower pump, is a bit tough.  & for our family, we desired twin beds in the back (two kids).  That queen in the back takes a lot of space.   Laundry empties into waste tank, just something to think about.  (yes, I know why)

Didnt' mean to down it.  Boat is absolutely beautiful & the compactor is nice as well. Better than any other brand in its size, thanks to Al & others!

 

Michael T

Hey DI - I know I'm preaching to one of the converted when I tell you this but - I just got my lastest electronic issue of BoatTest and there is an article, if the facts are correctly quoted, about a Regal 46 in it. The article mentions the Regal is in the 400K to 900K class. I'm guessing it is at or more than 700K. Is it nice? - sure. BUT - some of the options for example in the cockpit refreshemnt area: ice maker, fridge & bbq grill  - not even the mention of a blender :-( ...WHAT? Elsewhere options: autopilot, radar - really - on a +/- 700K boat - are they kidding?????  They don't give the overall headroom height in the cabin except to say it is 6'2" in front ot the mid cabin berth .....What? The Rinker 360 that's a 360!!!!! is 6'11" plus in the same spot and goes to 6'8" by the galley and 6' 6" by the front berth! I know because I measured it. This is where Rinker REALLY shines, in my opinion, they put together awesome boats with everything the "normal" boater could possibly want on great hulls that are built like tanks. No, they don't have little chrome logos on the seats (thank God) or french stitched leather dashes (what idiot thought that one up) I can see it now - two years later - sun on leather with french stitching - that'll be a warranty issue! Anyway the more I compare Rinkers to other cruisers (often 3 times their price) the worse the other cruisers look. My 2 cents. MT

itallman

Thanks everyone for the comments, this is definitely one of the best boards on the net for boat owners and people like myself that are getting pre-purchase information. 

@Michael T - Thanks for the in depth information on the wall issue I never thought about the circulation aspect of having the wall, it was an issue of privacy, but I will take that into consideration while looking. Quick question for you, which one of your Rinkers was your favorite?

@DI - I thought the full size fridge would be an issue, it's definitely something I'll consider.

Dream_Inn

Yeah MT, you're preaching to the choir!   My wife tells me I've helped sell many a Rinkers! >-

As said, 420 is a great boat, love almost everything about it.  Any boat when you get to that size you need to start thinking about how to power everything while on the hook.  I don't like to continously run the generator.  I know some boats that size have switched house batteries to golf cart ones & they work great.  Washer/dryer, on a cruiser?  not something I desired.  & after seeing how little can fit in it, well, not my thing.

Everyone has a boat that works out very well for them.  I'm happy to say both my 310 & the 400 have been fantastic boats for the time frame we have had them.

I think it'd be neat to start a separate topic for each model boat & people can discuss pros/cons & whatever about that specific model.  Sure would help future buyers, both for new and used boats.  Something one could refer to for many years.  Even see issues with items as the model ages & items that have really made the boat.  Steve?

Michael T

Hey itallman, I'm not trying to dodge your question but  the different Rinkers I had were all great for the different needs I had at different stages of my life. Some for skiing, tubing and wakeboarding, some for speed. Last year we decided (the wife did) to try cruising. We bought a 2013 EC 310 and had it modified by adding more 110v and 12v receptacles and enhanced electronics. It turned out that I really liked cruising as did our friends and kids. I loved the 310, it is a beautiful boat that makes entertaining friends on it a joy.The only problem with the boat was ME. I'm 6'6" tall, which I like, but I felt a bit confined in the 310. We looked at the 340 but it seemed an "orphan" boat to me, not small and not big. We soon realized that the logical sizes for us were the 360 or the 400. When we went to make a purchase in August of this year Rinker had stopped production of the 400. We found a  2013 EC 400  but the dealer was asking, in my opinion, about 50K too much. We came across a 360 with 496 engines in it at a dealer and took it out for an hour's test drive. My wife loved it and I thought it was great. The room both in the cockpit and cabin were great for me. The front berth was about  4" too short but I have an easy modification in mind for that. Just as we were ordering it the price of the 400 dropped about 45K. I asked my wife if she wanted to take a second look at the 400. I liked the size of the 400. It is two tons heavier than the 360. It also had a rear state room with twin beds. So we looked at it again, carefully. My wife said she didn't like the 400 as much as the 360. She said the 400 was too compartmentalized for her and there weren't windows in the galley. She didn't like the forward stateroom as one person has to climb over the other if they need to get up in the night, the 360 has a pedestal berth. As well, she liked the "sweeping interior view" as she called it - all the way from the rear berth to the front berth. She said if everyone were in the cabin she could see everyone. So, that was that. We ordered a new 2014 EC 360. I upgraded it to 502 Magnum engines with B3 X drives, all black hull, Diamante upholstery, E series touch screen GPS, Radar, satelite TV and a bunch of other options. I believe it will be the Rinker that I have the most fun with because I am now retired and will spend a lot of time on it.  We hope to be on it all next summer. As well the kids (which surprised me) like going out for a few days at time so it looks like instead of having to convince them to come for a visit we'll have to sneak away from the dock to get some alone time!! There are plenty of used Rinker 342s and 360s and some 400s available at really good prices if you wantnto try cruising. this is my pewrsonal bias but I'd stay away from salt water boats if I could and i would definately look at any boat with a very knowledgable friend or better yet get it surveyed. Feel free to ask any more questions that cross your mind. Feel free to use the PM (personal message fcn of this forum if you want. Best of Luck - Regards, Michael.

Michael T

Great idea DI. The information for both new and season boaters would be fantastic. You earned your maitai tonight! MT