*Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

[thedukeryan]

I posted about this boat recently but just got around to purchasing it today. It is a 1998 Rinker 232 Captiva. The owner knew almost nothing about it. For example he thought it was a efi mag engine but it is just a standard 5.7 with thunderbolt ingnition. Didn't bother me to much. Should it? Also the boat is very solid and the floor is all glass with snap in carpet. The guy seemed to think that the whole boat is composite construction. Can anyone confirm if this is true. It has a dual prop Bravo 3 drive with very nice stainless props. What is the opinion on these drives. I have read a lot of good things on performance but how do they rate as far as reliability quality etc. I will say the interior is clean but it does have a few tares on some of the seams. It was a big disapointment. The interior looks great but would of been perfect without the few tares. I guess that's just part of owning a 10yr old boat. Cabin is clean but I noticed that one of the clamps is missing that hols the ceiling window closed tightly. I will post some pics later. Until then any advice on where I might find one? As far as the exterior goes it lhas seen better days. It has no signs of dock rash or any scrapes but is in desperate need of a good cleaning and wax job. I did a couple test spots and it will clean up nicely. The big prob is the horrible bottom paint that is peeling. I know many say just to leave it but it is just plain ugly. Some will call me crazy but I am giving some serious thought to taping it off and spray painting over it with a gloss white. Good idea, bad idea or horrible idea? Other than that I am happy with the boat. It sits on a nice 2000 load right trailer with surge brakes, brand new tires, brand new rollers and a galvenize finish. He was set on $5,000 but I got him down to $4800 and he included some tubes and what not. I will get some pics up soon.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Re: New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Bravo 3s are good drives, with many advantages over Alpha One drive. But as I said before, corrosion is an issue.
Just painting over the bottom paint is a terrible idea, as whatever you spray on there won't stay. Then that paint will actually be peeling off, and it'll look awful. Plus, if you use white paint, you'll find out that your boat isn't really white, and you'll still have a two toned boat.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Re: New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

See this thread for bottom paint removal ideas:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=361364

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Here are lots of pics. It is a pretty sharp looking boat minus the dang bottom paint. Also in the last pic you can see where the clamp on the cabin ceiling window is missing. This is surely causing water to leak in. Any ideas on where to find a replacement or something that will work?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

The missing latch isn't helping, but I wouldn't be surprised if your whole hatch isn't leaking.

I agree the bottom paint looks bad. I'd try to get it off the sides, maybe not the whole hull, though.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Any ideas on where to find a replacement or something that will work?

How about right here on IBoats?
http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Parts_Ac...**********.145545285--submit.x.23--submit.y.7

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Well I have been looking a bit for the replacement latch but no luck finding the same one. Finding lots that can be made to work but would love to find a matching latch. The latch isn't pulling the hatch tightly and it is obvios that water is coming in due to not locking tightly. I will probably check all the seals on the windows and hatch. If they are bad I will make some new gaskets. The boat has obvious signs of neglect but nothing that can't be saved.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

I agree the bottom paint looks bad. I'd try to get it off the sides, maybe not the whole hull, though.

I agree, paint needs to go.

Well I have been looking a bit for the replacement latch but no luck finding the same one. The boat has obvious signs of neglect but nothing that can't be saved.

Have you tried boat salvage yards for the latch? Be patient. You'll find one, just do your homework thoroughly, you'll find what ya need might take some digging.
As far as all the interior thats all cosmetic and isn't anything you can't take care of with a little time and effort.
THE ENGINE?? Hows the the engine, if everything else was kinda neglected hows the engine, I don't believe you would have bought the boat without thoroughly looking it over yourself. The engine always comes first in my book, cosmetic stuff is a whole lot cheaper than having to replace an engine.
All in all thats a nice looking boat that can be whipped into shape in no-time and be showroom floor again.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

The engine runs and sounds great. We hooked it up to muffs and it fired right up. Sounds awesome. Has a nice deep rumble to it. I do really wish it had through hull exaust. The guy said it did but he has no idea what he is talking about. The only problem is that the alternator bracket has a crack in it. He ordered a new one which he gave me. It should be a easy fix and he discounted the price accordingly. I also checked all the fluids and pulled the props. No signs of water leaking in or excessive corrosion. By neglect you can tell that him like many boaters probably used it for the weekend and then put it away without ever giving much thought to cleaning, waxing etc. He lives by the caves which is a popular place to store boats. The caves are a lot closer to the water than his house. My guess is that he would take it out and then park it right back in the caves again. He said he would change the oils each winter but since the caves are a constant 57 degrees he never bothered draining the engine. I really wish I where closer to the caves since they offer a ideal place for winter storage. The boat is what I consider clean but far from perfect. It has no real damage just needs some patching in the vinyl and a good buff job. Gonna try to strip the bottom paint early next year since it isnt gonna hurt anything leaving it for now.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Very cool looking boat, 4800 would be a great buy in my area.
BTW don't all I/O have thru hull exhaust LOL... I know what you realy mean is THRU HULL!!!!! above the water exhaust.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

By neglect you can tell that him like many boaters probably used it for the weekend and then put it away without ever giving much thought to cleaning, waxing etc. He lives by the caves which is a popular place to store boats. The caves are a lot closer to the water than his house. My guess is that he would take it out and then park it right back in the caves again.

I can understand that!!
Man for $4800 I would have been laughing my arse off all the way home. Great find Dude, I hope she gives you tons of fun on the water!!

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: *Update Lots Of Pics* New Rinker Questions, Advice And Opinions?

Oh I forgot to mention he gave me two new heavy custom covers for it. One was posibbly the original but looked pretty good. The second one is brand new and never used. I think he ordered it up thinking he lost the original. Anyways that was a nice little bonus considering the heavy custom canvis covers arnt cheap.