Rinker Captiva 232 Vs Cranchi Turchese 24 Vs Regal 2350

Which boat would you recommend?

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DazzyWoo

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Hi, I am a new member to the forum – which seems to be full of interesting and useful stuff.

After a few years sailing, exclusively through charter, I am thinking of purchasing a motorboat.

I want the boat as a weekend bolt hole for me and the wife, plus we will want to entertain others for a fun day out (.e.g towing inflatable donut).

We have settled on a sports cuddy boat as being just about ideal for our needs – and we are taken with the L-shaped and U-shaped seating arrangement, and think having a tap / sink is a must have for us.

We are looking to spend around £17k +/- 10%. The boat will be berthed in sea water in Devon

We need a boat where I can fit in the cuddy to sleep. I am 6ft, and a large build. I can definitely fit in the Rinker, but I haven’t seen the other boats in the flesh yet.

Which boat would you choose and why? Which boats would you avoid and why? Is there another boat which would meet our needs, but which we have over-looked?

All feedback gratefully received

DW
 
I can't comment directly on the models you mention but have experience of two very similar models.

A friend has a Rinker Captiva 246, which is the replacement for the earlier 232. As far as I am aware, they are very much the same boat but with slightly different layouts and the newer model had an integrated swim platform. The 246 is certainly a good boat, rides well in rough water, has a good sized cuddy and plenty of cockpit space. With the camper canvas in place it is also comfortable in poor weather too. The only downside, for me at least, is that most UK boats seem to be specified with fairly modest power plants - okay for cruising and reasonable top end speeds but perhaps a bit slow out of the hole. Nevertheless, a good all-round boat and plenty to choose from on the used market.

I have a Regal 2250, which I think replaced the earlier 2350. This, though, is a different boat and so direct comparisions will be only quite general. The boat is smaller all round than the Rinker, especially the cuddy, but that might not be quite so with the (presumably) larger 2350. However, the Regal is probably of a slightly higher quality and seems to stand up to wear and tear better and also handles rough water very well for its size. If performance is important to you, they also seem to have slightly larger motors fitted than the Rinkers. My 2250 has the 5.7L 350MAG 300hp motor with the Bravo III twin-prop drive - heaps of power and uses barely any more fuel than the usual 5.0L / single prop drives. As I say, I am not familiar with the 2350 but, based on my experience of the 2250 and a friend's 2550, it would definitely be worth looking at one. 2350's don't, however, seem as plentiful as the 232's, so finding a good one might be more difficult.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about the Cranchi but there is an article in MBM this month featuring one - though I take it that you've already read that!

Another similar-sized alternative would be the Maxum 2400 SC3. These are similar in size to the 232's and have a similar bolt-on swim platform. Possibly not built to quite such a high standard as the Rinker / Regal but they are again quite plentiful on the used market and are often fitted with the 350MAG / Bravo III combination. I had a Maxum 1900 SR3 from new and was pleased with it. The 2400 SC3's are bit newer than the other models you mentioned, though, and might stretch the budget!
 
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Thanks Freeloader.

The 2400 SC3s look lovely :cool: - but I can't see any in the UK for under c£22k, and that it just too much :(

There is a refurbished 2001 Regal2350 with a Mercruiser 5.7ltr V8 on Bravo 2 outdrive for sale around about my budget, which sounds worth a look. There is also a 2005 Rinker with a 300hp Mercruiser 350 MAG which I have been to see, it was v. low hours but I thought it was poorly presented, and there was no evidence of service history or a survey ever having been done - and the current owner was selling after 1 year of ownership - which rather put me off. Also the broker was suggesting that a survey for this size of boat was unnecessary... would anyone agree?

thanks
DW
 
I had a2300 which is the bowrider version of the Regal, and we loved it.If you are ever towing, this is getting near the limit weight wise on a trailer, and even for that you will need one of the bggest 4*4s.
Only issue was the canvas frame screws into the aluminium windshield frame which is a bit soft, and the mountings were always working loose.
Otherwise, it was an excellent boat.
At this sort of size, any room in the cuddy is going to be very limited-remember you need to get past each other, store bedding etc. If sleeping on the boat really is a priority, maybe you want to concentrate of the various boats' accomodation, more than anything else.
OTOH hand, it always struck me as a bit mad that the focus of your boat should be when you are unconscious- I'd rather enjoy it when I am awake !
Stay ina pub or a b+b on the odd occasion if needed, and make sure you get the boat that is fun during daylight.
 
Cranchi is Useless as a UK sports cuddy as it is Med Speced. Both the Rinker and the Regal are great US style cuddies which means built to go and have fun on. Cuddy is really designed as a place to have a siesta. Regals are very well made, as are Rinker. Also consider the Chaparral range.

Out of those two I would get the Rinker....or get this http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2004/Chaparral-215-SSi-2409757/United-Kingdom

I have had a lot of Sports cuddies, and found the Hull of the Chaparrals the best. Alternatively go for a bit of a Classic like this Old Sunseeker http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1988/Sunseeker-Mexico-2503424/United-Kingdom where you get an amazing hull which will bash safely through a F5/6 if you are daft enough to get caught out. There are a few which have had a lot more spent on them than they are worth. Big usuable cuddy as well and deep cockpit to keep warm in.

Paul
 
Whichever you choose, as you intend to keep her afloat, you might want to think about the type of cooling system you end up with. Probably not a good idea to buy a boat that is raw water cooled and has been kept afloat in seawater, or if you intend to do so yourself. This would be an issue with most petrol options I believe. Though you could fit a closed system to a raw water cooled engine its only worth doing if the boat hasn't been kept in seawater before. Just something to consider.
 
I'd put the Regal in "First" place.
The Rinker 232 is also a great boat - my brother ran one for several years.
 
dpb said:
Whichever you choose, as you intend to keep her afloat, you might want to think about the type of cooling system you end up with. Probably not a good idea to buy a boat that is raw water cooled and has been kept afloat in seawater, or if you intend to do so yourself. This would be an issue with most petrol options I believe. Though you could fit a closed system to a raw water cooled engine its only worth doing if the boat hasn't been kept in seawater before. Just something to consider.
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Thanks dpb - I must admit this is not something I had considered, but a quick google seems to confirm what you are saying.
I've gone back and browsed the boat ads I have bookmarked, none of them seem to have this. I then tried searching the main boat sales sites for the key word "closed system" and got no results. Presumably this isa reasonably common mod (?!), do you know what term is usually used to describe it on an advert?
 
Nautorius said:
Cranchi is Useless as a UK sports cuddy as it is Med Speced. Both the Rinker and the Regal are great US style cuddies which means built to go and have fun on. Cuddy is really designed as a place to have a siesta. Regals are very well made, as are Rinker. Also consider the Chaparral range.

Out of those two I would get the Rinker....or get this http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2004/Chaparral-215-SSi-2409757/United-Kingdom

I have had a lot of Sports cuddies, and found the Hull of the Chaparrals the best. Alternatively go for a bit of a Classic like this Old Sunseeker http://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/1988/Sunseeker-Mexico-2503424/United-Kingdom where you get an amazing hull which will bash safely through a F5/6 if you are daft enough to get caught out. There are a few which have had a lot more spent on them than they are worth. Big usuable cuddy as well and deep cockpit to keep warm in.

Paul
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Thanks Nautorius - I must admit that has put me off the Cranchi & and the Chaparral looks lush :cool: - but its only 22ft. The broker is advertising a Maxum 2400 SC3 for £20k :D, but unforutnately (for me at least) it is under offer. :(
 
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DazzyWoo said:
Thanks dpb - I must admit this is not something I had considered, but a quick google seems to confirm what you are saying.
I've gone back and browsed the boat ads I have bookmarked, none of them seem to have this. I then tried searching the main boat sales sites for the key word "closed system" and got no results. Presumably this isa reasonably common mod (?!), do you know what term is usually used to describe it on an advert?
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It might be described as "fresh water cooled". Bear in mind though that more often than not engines so equipped will still have "raw" ( salt) water cooled cast iron exhaust manifolds and risers. If these rot through and let water into the engine, say hello to "Big Bill" ! In the case of Volvo Penta ones, the "wet joint" gaskets between manifolds and risers can leak due to corrosion, with the same result. Later Mercruiser engies use "dry joint" gaskets, with no water passing through them from manifold to riser, so that isn't an issue. Mercruiser engines can also have "full closed cooling" that includes the exhaust manifolds and risers.

VPs "Neutrasalt" system seems to have protected my current exhaust manifolds and risers rather well; they've done 8 seasons in salt water and show little sign of internal corrosion.

VP engines from around 2002 have a flush hose whch can be used to flush the engine with fresh water; it's on the starboard side of the engine.

My first VP V8 was used for 6 months in salt water in 2001 (60+ engine hours that year; those were the days !). I fitted closed cooling before the next season, I saw no ill effects of having closed cooling from the previous use in salt water ( used for a further 3 seasons in salt water). My current VP V8 has had it fitted from before it ever saw salt water in 2005. Apart from the corrosion issue, another advantage is that closed cooling equipped engines use a "hotter" thermostat ( possible as the coolant is pressurized) so the engines run hotter, closer to the temperatures in the cars and trucks that the engines were designed for).

As well as the other manufacturers, you should consider Four Winns and Searay.
 
ari said:
I'm confused by this. What is "Med specced" and what makes it "useless as a UK sports cuddy"?
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I mean to say that it is built with a large sunpad, smaller cockpit, seats which are not as supportive and that the cuddy is very small compared to the length overall. Also the canvas is not user freindly in that you can't stand up all over the Cockpit in it...Nothing against Med boats but they do not work as well in the UK weather...
 
dpb said:
Whichever you choose, as you intend to keep her afloat, you might want to think about the type of cooling system you end up with. Probably not a good idea to buy a boat that is raw water cooled and has been kept afloat in seawater, or if you intend to do so yourself. This would be an issue with most petrol options I believe. Though you could fit a closed system to a raw water cooled engine its only worth doing if the boat hasn't been kept in seawater before. Just something to consider.
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Would dry stack help to avoid this problem?
 
If you can flush the engine/ manifolds with fresh water after use, then dry stacking is good. When you are using the boat, the salt water is in contact with the engine/ manifolds etc and some corrosion will occur. . If you can't flush out the salt water then clearly the potential for corrosion is still there whilst it is "stacked". Just draining the salt water out may not help that much; it would allow a ready supply of oxygen into a damp, salty atmosphere in the engine/ manifolds; that is very damaging !
 
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I suspect that the Cranchi would be harder to sell on again later than the other two. I had a Regal 2450 which iirc was the successor to the 2350 - the stepped hull made it very smooth-running. I had the 350 mag. The cabin was small tho and I think I only ever spent one night on it, and that was enough.

Cheers
Jimmy
 
Nautorius said:
I mean to say that it is built with a large sunpad, smaller cockpit, seats which are not as supportive and that the cuddy is very small compared to the length overall. Also the canvas is not user freindly in that you can't stand up all over the Cockpit in it...Nothing against Med boats but they do not work as well in the UK weather...
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I know this is just one persons opinion, but in my own opinion... What a complete load of twaddle!

I am not a great fan of sport cuddy boats from my own boating perspective, but the Turchese 24 is one of the most sort after of the sort of age and value being discussed out there. Find a good one and you find an exceptionally capable boat.
The comments about Med spec are frankly daft. Layout is personal choice. Some like Regal style layouts, some Sea Ray, some Rinker, some Cranchi.
Nothing more, nothing less than the owner of that particular boats choice. Nothing defines it at all as a Med Spec.

That comment is along the lines of a person explaining all the American sport boats are completely useless for the UK south coast as they are built for lakes. Again, TWADDLE.
Maybe they were built for lakes, but they still do the same job in coastal water on a nice day.

Less twaddle, but really rather scare mongering is the comments regarding salt water.
What people are saying is very true. Salt water can eat an engine from the inside out. Exhaust Manifolds and Risers are rather pricey to change, but do need doing approximately every 8 years to maintain the integrity of the engine and yes, a failure is very expensive.
BUT, there are a gazillion boats sitting on moorings all around the country that are not constantly sinking or blowing up engines due to being raw water cooled!
In the same breath, there are nearly as many sitting on trailers or dry stacks that are not religiously flushed with fresh water each time they are lifted.
If you like the boat, get the engine inspected by a qualified mechanic and ask the seller the very pertinent questions of "when were the manifolds and risers last changed".
The engine inspection will always recommend they are changed as a matter of course. Note, this may not mean they need it, but the engineer will not be able to see inside to see the state of corrosion so to cover their rear they will tell you they need doing. Again, find out when they were last done.

To the OP. Assuming you have a good hull, good engine and most of the bits and bobs work. Buy the boat you like the most within the price range you are looking at.
Of those that are being discussed, I prefer the hull on the Cranchi from a handling perspective. I find the cuddy on the Cranchi and the Regal a little small, but I prefer the build quality on the Cranchi over the others. But it's just opinion! Buy the one that ticks most boxes for you and that a survey shows as being sound.

Good luck

Tom
 
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dpb said:
I guess this depends on whether you look at this from an owners point of view, or from someone's who sells them!!!!!!
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Both!

I own boats and use boats and sell boats.

Boats take a lot of care and attention. The more you lavbish on your boat, the more she'll love you for it.
If you are buying it's hard to be sure unless you really know what you are looking at so get a marine engineer to look at the engine. Then again, a marine engineer will not be able to see what is happening with manifolds and risers unless they remove them, which they won't on an engine inspection, BUT few boats are religiously flushed with freshwater wether they are dry stacked or not.

Of course, everybody on here flushes their boat every single time they use it, but many don't!

Manifolds and risers should be changed every 6 to 8 years as a precautionary measure. Find out when they were last changed and make plans around this.
 
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