stingray vs rinker

[Pellzilla]

Hello, I am new to this site and looking to buy our first boat. We are currently looking at two right now. Both of them are 2005, 4.3l v 6 19' bow riders. One is a Rinker and the other is a Stingray. My wife grew up on a Rinker with positive experiences but I also heard great things in regards to performance and fuel economy with Stingray. Looking for a family boat that is good at skiing, tubing and wake boarding as well as something comfortable at the sand bar. Both are priced at $15000.00. Any advice for this novice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[reddogg]

Re: stingray vs rinker

Those are both good brands, but with used boats it's more about the condition of the boat then who made it. I suggest that you look over everything, test everything, insist on a good test drive and pick the one that is in better condition and suits your needs best. Also go over the trailers good too. Please feel free to ask specific questions here anytime you need help, this board is chock full of good people with tons of experiance.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: stingray vs rinker

I am a Stingray owner and I agree with reddogg, its more about the condition of the motor and outdrive, and care of the boat.

A 19 foot Stingray is a fun boat, fast, easy to trailer, maneurerable, and has an 8 adult capacity. Its a fun boat. They have a good owners forum too.

If your tow vehicle has a 3500 tow limit, that Stingray is a good option as mine has a trailer weight of 2650. Not sure about the Rinker.

However, if they are basically in the same condition, then the wow and comfort factors are all that you are left with to decide.

 

[Pellzilla]

Re: stingray vs rinker

Thanks for the post. I had a chance to take the stingray for a ride last night. We had it cruising along at 55mph with three adults two kids and a dog. That was impressive but it did seem a little sluggish out of the hole. I am a big guy and I'm concerned that the V6 won't be able to pull me out of the water. Also I read on some other forums that with the smallest chop, it is a really rough ride. Is that true?

 

[JWFails]

Re: stingray vs rinker

I have a 2002 19' Stingray LS 190 with the 4.3L GS and it is a great boat for tubing and skiing. I changed the factory 23P 3 blade prop for a 21p 4 blade aluminum prop and the whole shot is great and planes alot faster. However you will drop a few mph. The stingray is a little rough in chop and will porpose so most add sport tabs. I just bought some but haven't put them on yet. I am 200 lbs and ski and kneeboard with no probs, with boat full of people.

 

[NewfieDan]

Re: stingray vs rinker

As others have said both are good boats. Check the overall condition. The slugishness may be easliy fixed with a different pitch of prop. What RPM were you at the other day?

I have a Rinker 23ft and I love it. the rough ride may be from the beam width of the boat. A narrower beam can be rougher when the chop is coming from the side. A wider boat will make it a little smoother. I can't remember if it is Stingray or Ckeckamte boats but one them is sometimes a little narrrower for the same length as other brands. Don't take this the wrong way, since I am certainly not knocking Stingray. Just what I have noticed whenI was looking for mine.

 

[specmkr]

Re: stingray vs rinker

20ft Stingray here and I love it. It was sluggish as well until I switched to a 4 blade 21P prop. Comes out of the hole great now. I will probably add tabs next spring though as JW said. Im 200 lbs as well and have no probs getting out of the water. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[Pellzilla]

Re: stingray vs rinker

thanks for all great feedback. Now I can rest assured that the quality is there what ever I choose. The prop change will be a definite and a great idea. I am concerned about the ride as we occasionally boat in some big water with friends but don't know if the Rinker would be any better. As far as the proposing what are these tabs that you speak of and how do they attach and at what cost. FYI the stingray only has 68 hours on it. The Rinker has 211. Looking at the Rinker tomorrow it is two hours south of us.

 

[StevenT]

Re: stingray vs rinker

thanks for all great feedback. Now I can rest assured that the quality is there what ever I choose. The prop change will be a definite and a great idea. I am concerned about the ride as we occasionally boat in some big water with friends but don't know if the Rinker would be any better. As far as the proposing what are these tabs that you speak of and how do they attach and at what cost. FYI the stingray only has 68 hours on it. The Rinker has 211. Looking at the Rinker tomorrow it is two hours south of us.

Smart Tabs http://www.nauticusinc.com/

 

[JWFails]

Re: stingray vs rinker

See the previous post for a link. Sport tabs come in stainless or composite material, and cost between $110 -$180. My understanding is they act as a stabalizer by increasing length of boat. On hours of each boat, lower hours is not always better, a sitting boat is not always a good thing. Another poster on site stated before to focus more on owner. When you by a used boat you are evaluating the owner as well. Did they keep the maintenance up, winterize it, keep it covered, etc. If the lower hour boat wasn't maintained properly it would not be a better deal. Just a thought. Good luck with your decesion.