Rinker Boats Observations

[skolbe]

A dock neighbor just bought a - 2006 - 342 Rinker - Overall a nice boat. I helped with a couple projects and after spending some time working on it - I was surprised by a few things. The Sea Strainer for the generator was very cheap and small. There was no hardwired Carbon Monoxide detector. It only had one actuator for the engine hatch - with no access panel to pull the pin. It broke this weekend. Fortunately it had ripped the screws out of the hatch - so we were able to lift it with 4 guys. But we didn't know that until we actually removed the table mount from the floor and tore up the insulation. I have no idea how you get to the holding tank, water tank or fuel tanks. I suspect you have to remove the aft cabin wall to access all of that stuff. The gauges were not smartcraft enabled - so all of the data is not accessible. Overall it is a nice boat - the teak floor in the cabin is much better than my carpet and runners. Although with dogs not practical for ourselves. In general - I could see where they cut some cost here and there - plus as much as I hate spending time in my bilge at least everything is in the bilge and not hidden too bad. Also the Corian Countertops in the galley are nicer than my fiberglass countertops.

Just my ramblings... It's just when someone compares Sea Ray to Rinker. I could see where they cut corners and made me appreciate my Sea Ray. Although the factory called back on Saturday when - I insisted there has to be an access panel to the engine hatch actuator pin. I guess I was wrong.

 

[Zorba]

Dig a little deeper and you will find more issues and Corners cut. While a "good" boat for the money you would never catch me dead in one again. I was out on our friends 342 in 1-3 foot chop and every single wave you could feel the fiberglass shudder and flex all the way down the boat. When we got to out destination and he opened up the cabin every single cabinet was open with the contents laying on the floor. He said this was a normal occurrence.

Look behind the Cabin door in the slide. You will find that this is all unfinished glass with shards waiting to get you and you fingers. Just too many corners cut on the surface i can only imagine the shortcuts taken in the structure.

Another comparison Find any Rinker with a full hull color and compare it to a sea ray. I guarantee the gel is going to be faded or uneven or oxidized

 

[gerryb]

My dockmate boaugh a $330K new Rinker 36 with Axius drive. Beautiful boat as far as options (had a hardtop and is loaded), but I'll never buy one given what I've seen so far. He's been on the water over 2 months and none of the punch list items have been fixed:

Cockpit fridge not working
sirius satellite not working
isenglass to starboard side cut too short and can't be installed
cd changer not working
raymarine nav system shuts off inadvertently

...and that's not all..

I think a new Regal, dollar for dollar, is making for a very attractive boat. New Sea Rays are still way overpriced, but they are the best-built cruisers our there IMO.

 

[skolbe]

Was the sticker price $330 or the price paid?

 

[Carver370]

Just curious, did he buy this Rinker from New Buffalo Michigan?

 

[skolbe]

That is the boat. Small world. Boat has a few small projects. Nice boat and it sounds like it was bought right. I wasn't sure if it was bought through a broker or direct from an individual.

 

[spimik]

Obviously, very biased here, BUT, the RINKERS at our Marina all show signs of pre-mature aging.

The finish just does not seem to withstand the test of time. We have a mix of Rinkers, from 25 to 40+ and they all seem a bit "tired". On the other hand, we have some 12+ year old Sea Rays that still turn heads. Two amazing 390 with the superwide beam. Small things like full width piano hinges can make a huge difference over time IMHO.

We have a new dock mate from Quebec, running a 2008 Monterey 330. Nice boat, but, on close inspection, the same issues as the RINKER. Lots of built in WOW factor, but lots of cut corners and a lack of overall quality. I am interested in how this boat weathers the UV, and other elements over the next 2-3 summers. (He also claims the boat will do 55mph- the specs I found are far from this, so unless he has modified this particular boat, he must have a faulty speedometer?)

Like I said, I am biased, as are most Ray owners, but, in the end, I will put any 12 year old Sea Ray up against any other brand and I believe that dollar for dollar, the SR will win out everytime.

 

[Carver370]

That is the boat. Small world. Boat has a few small projects. Nice boat and it sounds like it was bought right. I wasn't sure if it was bought through a broker or direct from an individual.

It was bought from the Rinker dealer up here and was a brokered boat. I must have walked by the boat 1500 times lol.

Back to the subject. I don't have very much respect for 40+ footers with stern drives. I helped a local dealer take a 40 Rinker back from the boat show a while back in 3/4's and had to slow down to about 14 mph because the boat was pounding so much at even 20. The hardtop separated from the deck and all the cabinets were open downstairs. A few hours later I took back a 37 Regal with barely any issues.

 

[fc3]

Regal makes one heck of a nice boat. A Rinker boat is just plain heck. But it will get you on the water for a cheap price.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Lazy Daze]

We affectionately refer to them as "Rinker Stinker".

 

[gerryb]

I helped a local dealer take a 40 Rinker back from the boat show a while back in 3/4's and had to slow down to about 14 mph because the boat was pounding so much at even 20.

I've driven the 36 a few times and I didn't have any major objection to the ride. Yes, it is a gas pig as it is a heavy boat. I did feel it was a bit stern heavy, but not too much. The stern drives do help with fuel efficiency and allow for much more room down below - a major advantage in this size boat. Of course, stern drives sitting in the atlantic ocean for 6 months will require more maintenance, especially having to work so hard to push that boat around.

 

[skolbe]

The 342 basically matches up pricing wise with a 06 - 320 Dancer. But the 320 Dancer today is worth 17k more for identical sticker prices same year. Which is 9% of the most likely buy price. Granted you get a bigger boat with the Rinker. However the 340 Dancer that year feels significantly larger. The Rinker weighs the same as the 320 Dancer but has the dimensions of a 340 DA. So what is the deal with all of the Rinker cabinets opening? Are they cheap latches or is the boat flexing?

 

[Carver370]

It is my honest opinion that the boat shudders and flex's so much that the cabinets just jar themselves open, however that is just my opinion since the latches are usually equal to that found on any Sea Ray or the like.

 

[skolbe]

I thought they were the same latches.

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

I find the Rinker styling a bit utilitarian, though they have made improvements in this area, the lines still lack the sporty look/feel of a Sea Ray or Chapparal, IMO.

 

[skolbe]

I actually like the older Rinker lines better than the brand new boats.

 

[wkearney99]

Gotta agree about the quality issues. The Rinkers I looked at had far too many design and quality deficiencies. From just plain cheap materials, to outright poor design. Lots of little things that add up to a lesser value boat after a few years of use.

 

[Alex D]

Rinker is a "budget boat" and I would not own one. Very cheaply rigged and materials. Check the depreciation on these puppies.