Help! About to buy a Rinker 260 EC

[osead]

Congratulations!  Whith the homework you did, I'm sure you'll be happy.  I really think a good dealer is an added benefit for help with service or parts.

Best of Luck and many years of enjoyment!

[Rinker342]

Congrats on your Rinker, Mark.  Didn't get a chance to weigh in because I was at the Baltimore Boat Show over the weekend.  Good luck with her and welcome to the RBO!

Thanks!  Still would be good to get your feedback on what I purchased and the decision I had to make.

What won it for me over the Four Winns, which is a good boat, is 1) the joint between the hull and deck being glassed together while Four Winns is screwed and caulked, and 2) the wider cockpit on the Rinker that accommodates an extra bench which can seat 3 more people. 

I was also told that the Rinker handles itself in the water better than the Four Winns. But then the Four Winns dealer said exactly the opposite. Wonder what is the truth?

Thanks again!

I've had three Rinkers, so am probably a good bit partial.  That said, I've had a 242 (similar in size to the 260, but an older model), a 310 and currently, a 342.  I have never been sorry that I went with Rinker the first time because of the workmanship and bang for the buck.  I have always considered them to be value packed, but I'm sure you feel right about that or you wouldn't have purchased one.  As for Four Winns, I do think Rinker hulls handles better in our relatively rough waters of the Chesapeake and I have always preferred Mercruiser engines to Volvos, though you can get both on Rinkers nowadays, which was not the case when I was in the buying market.  Apart from a few that have had a bad experience, most everyone (Rinker or Four Winns or any other) have had early issues and your experience is mostly dependent on the dealer. 

[osead]

AS rinker 342 said, a Merc is better. IMHO What ever you do, DON"T GET A VOLVO especially XDP!  To me, they look at their dealers as their customers, not owners, im my experience.  If you have a good dealer, you probably would not have a problem, but if you use a non dealer marina, like I do, you will have to haul to to one or pay extra for a service call from one.  Even some of their parts must go through a dealer.

[Babyboomer]

Well Osead,

If it wasn't for the couple of negative responses I've had on the Rinker, I would be buying her over the Four Winns tonight.

The reasons for this are:

(1) the dealer is amazing, really good, truthful, informative guy. He doesn't knock the competitors, but shows me the advantages of the Rinker.  He has been more than great putting the deal together with the 30 extra things I've asked for.  The Four Winns dealer sells too many boats to be interested in helping me get the boat ready (I want to undercoat/paint the hull - he doesn't have time to do it).  

(2) I've had a survey done on the Rinker I want to buy. The surveyor had a good look and came back with a thumbs up, so I know that particular boat is in great shape on delivery.  It also has a few neat features.  The Four Winns is still in the USA, so I don't know what I'm getting.

I guess my real question is, are Rinkers reliable in general.  If you had to sum up the experience, would it be mostly positive or mostly average to negative??

Thanks.

I've had my 270 since 1999 bought her new other than normal wear and tear she's been a dream actualy I've never had any problems with The Rinker end of the boat anything I've had has been on the Mercruiser end like the Bravo 3 issues. My 270 looks and shines like the day she was bought. Mercs or in a lot of boats so you can't take those issues against Rinker. GuY in the slip next to me has 2002 SR 290 Amberjack he's had nothing but trouble with that boat from day one and he paid a hell of a lot more for that boat than I did. And I have more cabin room on a 270 than he does on a 290. CAN YA TELL I LOVE MY RINKER

[pepmyster]

I've got the 08 280 with the 496 merc and I am very happy with it so far. Things do go wrong with these things but is expected .Man, there is alot of us in the Ontario area. Sounds like a reason to all met!!!!

[Maverick]

Congrats on your purchase. My dealer sold Four Winns as well as Rinker for a while and said the hulls perfomed better on the Rinker. Enjoy your ride!

[royela]

congrats on your purchase, I know you will be happy. As for the one problem, it was a leak on the arch and caulking was missed by Rinker and fixed by the dealer (Maple City)


The season will be here sooner than you think........


royela

[Milk Money]

Hi All!

Another Ontario couple that love Rinker. We`ve had a 2000  210 cuddy,an 03 250, an 06 250 and an 09 260.We`ll be starting next season with a 310 ec that we traded the 260 on. You`ll love your 260,it`s a really great hull and we had the 350 mag B3 which performed admirably. Congrats on your choice!!!One thing that you`ll really appreciate on Rinkers compared to other brands is the raised lip on all edges of the cockpit that makes rain water flow outside instead of inside the cockpit. You`ll see what I mean on your first rainy outing.The 260 is also a great boat to trailer, which allowed us to visit Georgian Bay, St. Lawrence, The Muskokas, Ottawa River etc.

                               Best of luck
                                         Terry

[pepmyster]

I'm telling you guys, with all the Rinkers in Ontario...there should be a meet!!!!!