Question about Rinker

billhurley · 07-04-2005, 08:14 AM

We are contemplating going up to a cruiser from our Chaparral Cuddy. It has enough space to sleep, but it can be a pain to set up and remove the bed set up for normal use. I am interested in seeing what people think of the 250 or 270 Fiesta Vee's. Is the aft berth roomy enough not to be claustrophobic?
How are they to maneuver?

It seems like a good value. Thanks in advance Bill

PROPELLER · 07-05-2005, 07:10 AM

The only way to really know is to get on one & lie down in it. 90% of the boats afts that I and my wife have tried are too cramped & not open enough. For some reason manufacturers insist on molding the fiberglass steps down into the cabin enclosing the aft. They could just as easily have an open staircase & open up the aft.

DLBIV · 07-06-2005, 02:27 PM

Stay away from Rinker from what I have seen at boat shows quality is substandard. But then again buying a boat is a personal decision. Good luck!

Lakewinniboater · 07-06-2005, 02:31 PM

you could always buy my 28 foot Larson Cruiser. We love it and it only has 109 hours on it and is spotless.

We bought a house and do not need to sleep on it any longer. So, we are going to downsize. We are selling it for exactly what we owe on it.... my loss your gain!!!!!!!!!!

Contact me and I will give you info if you would like,
Wendy Sullivan
978-490-6088
lakewinniboater@aol.com

Lakewinniboater · 07-06-2005, 02:36 PM

it is a 2003 and i have been the only owner!! It is at West Alton Marina. Feel free to go take a look.

Mee-n-Mac · 07-06-2005, 07:47 PM

I've not looked at the new FV's but did look at the previous style 270FV. It's a big boat, especially in and around the dinette. The real question is how are you going to use your boat. Apparently you sleep in your cuddy enough that setting it up/breaking it down is a PITA and so you want a aft cabin. I would say the 270FV's is as large as you'll find in the sizes you're considering, about the same as a queen size bed width-wise. But last I knew it was what I'll call a "crawl in". That is there's a passage (under the port side lounger above) where you enter the aft cabin. Last one in is the first one out and making a "head call" whilst your partner is sleeping means crawling over the last in if you're first in. Check at Silver Sands and see if this is still true on the new 270FV's. Some other cruisers have a extended Capt's bench with aft facing seating, which gives a big box to enter through to the aft cabin. YOu can actually sit up, or perhaps make it over your partner during the night when nature calls. That said I don't like the deck layout (seating) that this entails. YMMV

I don't know what size your cuddy is but any cruiser, 24' and up, handles more slowly than "normal" boats. Slower to plane and slower to turn with a bigger radius. I'll add that at 27' and larger you may want twins, or a bow thruster, to manuver in wind around the docks. There's more freeboard, especially forward, than you may be used to. This added sail area can make it less than fun when the wind blows.

ps - While Rinker is a mid-level boat, not all of us can afford to buy Formulas or Cobalts. Since you're boating here I wouldn't worry that it's construction is not up to snuff. Check them out for yourself a Silver Sands marina.

billhurley · 07-07-2005, 07:21 AM

Good info. Thanks

Silver Sands is on my list to check out

PROPELLER · 07-07-2005, 07:24 AM

I agree with M&M regarding Rinkers quality. It has more than enough quality to handle this lake & you get alot more for your money. They come with many options that would cost alot more on some other brands. I know a few people who own them & I have experienced their ride. Its as good as any other boat for a better value.

I also agree with M&M regarding the aft cabin. As I said in a previous post in this thread. Most manufacturers have a very enclosed aft because they mold the fiberglass from the cockpit down into the cabin. Like M&M said if your the 1st one in you probably will not get out or if you can you must be a contortionist. There are some that do have an open aft but very few. Larson made a 270 from late 90's through 2001. The fiberglass stops at the cabin door & the stairs into the cabin are totally open so as not to close out the aft area. Its hard to describe in a post. I found a real nice open aft on a Cruisers Inc 2870, check out their website to get an idea of how an aft can be open.

Formula also has a 270 open aft but as M&M said, not everyone can afford a Formula or can not justify the large price tag especially for 4-5 months a year.

Mee-n-Mac · 07-09-2005, 02:18 PM

It just so happened that whilst I was sitting in the, ahem, "Captain's Quarters", I picked up an old Boating magazine (8/2004) and they had a comparison of 4 entry level mid cabin cruisers; from Rinker (250FV), Chapparal (240 Signature), SeaRay (240 Sundancer) and Larson (240 Cabrio). Long story short they choose the Rinker as "best" overall, rating very highly in stuff for the $$ spent. They did mention that the Rinkers midcabin was the smallest of the bunch but that the open stair case in the cabin made it less claustriphobic than usual. If you're interested when I get back next week I can forward it to you. Then again perhaps Boating has it on their website (I've not checked). Good luck !

DLBIV · 07-10-2005, 07:21 AM

Hi Bill
All the information that you have received concerning this topic is great. That's what makes this forum a great place to visit. You get various inputs from different angles which is vital in making a boat buying decision. In my experience during the two year crusade to decide what boat to purchase I found that the value for the dollar does not always equate to quality. Bottom line you need to be happy with what you buy, ask questions, test drive, and ask more questions. Good luck! Happy boating!
DLBIV the fiberglass junkie

billhurley · 07-11-2005, 07:45 AM

We went in about 5 differnt models this weekend and are leaning toward the Chaparral 260. Thank you all for the feedback. The forum is a great place to get great info. Thanks again. Bill

07-04-2005, 08:14 AM	#1
billhurley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Augustine FL. Posts: 86 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Question about Rinker We are contemplating going up to a cruiser from our Chaparral Cuddy. It has enough space to sleep, but it can be a pain to set up and remove the bed set up for normal use. I am interested in seeing what people think of the 250 or 270 Fiesta Vee's. Is the aft berth roomy enough not to be claustrophobic? How are they to maneuver? It seems like a good value. Thanks in advance Bill

07-06-2005, 02:31 PM	#4
Lakewinniboater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Westford, MA and Alton Bay, NH Posts: 225 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	you could you could always buy my 28 foot Larson Cruiser. We love it and it only has 109 hours on it and is spotless. We bought a house and do not need to sleep on it any longer. So, we are going to downsize. We are selling it for exactly what we owe on it.... my loss your gain!!!!!!!!!! Contact me and I will give you info if you would like, Wendy Sullivan 978-490-6088 lakewinniboater@aol.com Attached Images __________________ Wendy "Wasn't Me!"

07-06-2005, 02:36 PM	#5
Lakewinniboater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Westford, MA and Alton Bay, NH Posts: 225 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	P.s. it is a 2003 and i have been the only owner!! It is at West Alton Marina. Feel free to go take a look. __________________ Wendy "Wasn't Me!"

07-06-2005, 07:47 PM	#6
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	Rinker cruisers I've not looked at the new FV's but did look at the previous style 270FV. It's a big boat, especially in and around the dinette. The real question is how are you going to use your boat. Apparently you sleep in your cuddy enough that setting it up/breaking it down is a PITA and so you want a aft cabin. I would say the 270FV's is as large as you'll find in the sizes you're considering, about the same as a queen size bed width-wise. But last I knew it was what I'll call a "crawl in". That is there's a passage (under the port side lounger above) where you enter the aft cabin. Last one in is the first one out and making a "head call" whilst your partner is sleeping means crawling over the last in if you're first in. Check at Silver Sands and see if this is still true on the new 270FV's. Some other cruisers have a extended Capt's bench with aft facing seating, which gives a big box to enter through to the aft cabin. YOu can actually sit up, or perhaps make it over your partner during the night when nature calls. That said I don't like the deck layout (seating) that this entails. YMMV I don't know what size your cuddy is but any cruiser, 24' and up, handles more slowly than "normal" boats. Slower to plane and slower to turn with a bigger radius. I'll add that at 27' and larger you may want twins, or a bow thruster, to manuver in wind around the docks. There's more freeboard, especially forward, than you may be used to. This added sail area can make it less than fun when the wind blows. ps - While Rinker is a mid-level boat, not all of us can afford to buy Formulas or Cobalts. Since you're boating here I wouldn't worry that it's construction is not up to snuff. Check them out for yourself a Silver Sands marina. __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH

07-07-2005, 07:21 AM	#7
billhurley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Augustine FL. Posts: 86 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Mee-n-Mac Good info. Thanks Silver Sands is on my list to check out

07-05-2005, 07:10 AM	#2
PROPELLER Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 340 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The only way to really know is to get on one & lie down in it. 90% of the boats afts that I and my wife have tried are too cramped & not open enough. For some reason manufacturers insist on molding the fiberglass steps down into the cabin enclosing the aft. They could just as easily have an open staircase & open up the aft.

07-06-2005, 02:27 PM	#3
DLBIV Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pelham NH Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Stay away from Rinker from what I have seen at boat shows quality is substandard. But then again buying a boat is a personal decision. Good luck!

07-07-2005, 07:24 AM	#8
PROPELLER Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 340 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I agree with M&M regarding Rinkers quality. It has more than enough quality to handle this lake & you get alot more for your money. They come with many options that would cost alot more on some other brands. I know a few people who own them & I have experienced their ride. Its as good as any other boat for a better value. I also agree with M&M regarding the aft cabin. As I said in a previous post in this thread. Most manufacturers have a very enclosed aft because they mold the fiberglass from the cockpit down into the cabin. Like M&M said if your the 1st one in you probably will not get out or if you can you must be a contortionist. There are some that do have an open aft but very few. Larson made a 270 from late 90's through 2001. The fiberglass stops at the cabin door & the stairs into the cabin are totally open so as not to close out the aft area. Its hard to describe in a post. I found a real nice open aft on a Cruisers Inc 2870, check out their website to get an idea of how an aft can be open. Formula also has a 270 open aft but as M&M said, not everyone can afford a Formula or can not justify the large price tag especially for 4-5 months a year.

07-09-2005, 02:18 PM	#9
Mee-n-Mac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,943 Thanks: 23 Thanked 111 Times in 51 Posts	Old artilce in Boating It just so happened that whilst I was sitting in the, ahem, "Captain's Quarters", I picked up an old Boating magazine (8/2004) and they had a comparison of 4 entry level mid cabin cruisers; from Rinker (250FV), Chapparal (240 Signature), SeaRay (240 Sundancer) and Larson (240 Cabrio). Long story short they choose the Rinker as "best" overall, rating very highly in stuff for the $$ spent. They did mention that the Rinkers midcabin was the smallest of the bunch but that the open stair case in the cabin made it less claustriphobic than usual. If you're interested when I get back next week I can forward it to you. Then again perhaps Boating has it on their website (I've not checked). Good luck ! __________________ Mee'n'Mac "Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by simple stupidity or ignorance. The latter are a lot more common than the former." - RAH

07-10-2005, 07:21 AM	#10
DLBIV Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pelham NH Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Bill All the information that you have received concerning this topic is great. That's what makes this forum a great place to visit. You get various inputs from different angles which is vital in making a boat buying decision. In my experience during the two year crusade to decide what boat to purchase I found that the value for the dollar does not always equate to quality. Bottom line you need to be happy with what you buy, ask questions, test drive, and ask more questions. Good luck! Happy boating! DLBIV the fiberglass junkie

07-11-2005, 07:45 AM	#11
billhurley Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St. Augustine FL. Posts: 86 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks for all of the feedback We went in about 5 differnt models this weekend and are leaning toward the Chaparral 260. Thank you all for the feedback. The forum is a great place to get great info. Thanks again. Bill