360 Express Cruiser question

dorrwalter

Hi all! I am new to the board and getting really close to making a decision on a used Rinker 360. I posted this in the Great Lakes forum but after reading through the site a little more I think it fits this section better.

I currently have a 1988 Sea Ray 390 Express and I really like the reviews, look and price point of the newer (2009-2014) Rinker 360. I have a few quick questions though and wondered if I could get some help. 

1. I have a few options on engines and wondered if any of the engines below are better, or worse, than the others? Any of these I should stay away from?

2009 Volvo 5.7 Gi DP 280 HP
2009 6.2L 320hp Mercruiser 377 Mag SeaCore engines  w/ Bravo 3 Drives
2010  Mercruiser 496mag V-8 stern drives

2. How does Axius work with these boats versus thrusters? Not sure I would use them but if they come with the boat it would be a great to have just in case. It would also make the wife a lot happier!

3. Anything I should look out for in the 2009-2014 years of this boat? I am in the process of reading the forum but so far everyone looks very happy with the 360 boats.

Thank you in advance for any help. I am really looking forward to getting a Rinker and contributing to this forum.

Black_Diamond

Everyone I have ever talked to likes the pod drives. 

NavyCTRC

Rinkers are pretty heavy boats, go with the biggest engine options you can find, one of the members on here had the 502's in his 360 and loved them.  I would want big blocks for sure in that boat.

Black_Diamond

I ran across a 2002 owner while on vacation, has the 502's in it, special order he claimed.  I'm not sure how they even fit with the transom in the 2002-3, says he gets about 1.6mpg.  I bet I am at 0.9 mpg at best.  Go with the bigger engine!!