Captain's Report

Captain's Report by Capt. Steve--

Mission Statement

The Captiva line-up consists of 16 boats all focused on value. The 276 BR is roomy, and well-equipped for entertaining and watersports. She has also been carefully designed to have little touches of comfort that many builders miss. While the 276 BR is at the higher end of the Captiva spectrum, Rinker has kept the price competitive.

Distinguishing Features

Some of the distinguishing features of the Captiva 276 BR include:•

Two in-deck ski lockers.

It's not uncommon for a bowrider to have a ski locker in the deck, but it is unusual to have two, and both of these are roomy. In my opinion, this is a great use of space that would otherwise simply be a void area.•

All poly-lined storage.

This means no unfinished edges, no rough surfaces, easy to clean compartments -- and no spackle paint inside the storage areas.•

Shelved storage under console.

While everybody has storage under the helm console few, if any, have shelf space added to the storage. The shelf even has a raised lip to keep items from sliding out. This makes for an efficient use of storage space, and the shelf is even designed to accommodate the stereo in a protected environment.•

Wraparound helm panel.

This is a clever solution to adding more features to the panel without having to make it wider. The Captiva 276 BR helm panel wraps around allowing additional electrical switches and larger gauges to be added without increasing panel space that would impede the walk-through to the bow.•

Electronic engine hatch lift.

This is one of the most unusual -- and most welcome -- standard items on the 276 BR. While these devices are usually standard on high-price point boats, they are rarely seen in this class.

•

Gull wing storage over engine box.

Instead of just having a large sunpad that lifts to reveal storage, the 276 has her aft storage divided into two large compartments with hatches that open to port and starboard.•

Center cockpit walk-through.

Instead of the walk-through from the swim platform to the cockpit being off to the starboard side, the 276 BR has its walk-through along the centerline. While we've seen this done before, it's worth noting as it provides a much safer walking area especially for the more land bound guests. A simple fall to one side will have you landing on a cushion as opposed to in the water. Also, there is a hinged cushion that that swings into place to fill the walkway and a large sunpad is created.•

Aft-facing transom seats.

While the boat is at anchor or beached, this makes a great place to relax while watching the action off the stern. You've even got control of the entertainment center, and the cushions open gull-wing style opposing the cushions over the engine hatch. There is more storage under each of the seats.•

Seven standard hull colors.

Regular readers know that we like colored hull sides on boats, but they are an expensive option on most boats. Not so with the Rinker 276 BR. •

Color GPS.

The instrument panel of the 276 BR has been carefully designed to accept a color GPS movable map screen right in the center. This signals that the boat is intended to be used for more than just blasting around a small lake. •

Fiddles on Corian counter tops

. It is a small thing, but one that we so rarely see on powerboats that we feel it is noteworthy because it shows us that this boat has been designed by people who know what they doing. It also signals that things that can't be readily seen are more likely to be done right as well.•

Expertly designed helm.

Frankly most helm stations and instrument panels in this class of sportboat are pretty much the same. Again, for the 276 BR stands apart in my opinion. This is one of the most unusual and ergonomically-friendly helms we have seen. See below for the details.

Major Features

There are too many amenities on the 276 BR to mention in this report, however here are a few standard items that are often optional on many boats in class-- •Snap-in Berber carpet. •Both the helm and the companion seats have flip-up bolsters. •Transom shower. •Sink with pressure water. •LED lights in the engine room. •Trash receptacle with lift-out container. •Self-bailing cockpit.

Features Walk-Through

Bow

Fully forward the 276 features an anchor locker with a cradle to support the Danforth. The locker also houses a 4-step beach reboarding ladder with stainless steel construction and padded steps. The hatch opens from the side and is secured with two stainless hinges. A cutout in the center of the hatch is ringed with stainless steel and serves as a handhold when using the bow ladder. There is an option for adding an anchor windlass with a stainless steel roller, 130’ (39.6 m) of rode and 30’ (9.1 m) of chain.

Bow Seating

The U-shaped seating in the bow is roomy enough for two people to lounge in comfort while facing forward and certainly 3 – 4 people can sit while enjoying lunch on the standard pedestal table, which stows conveniently in the head. Stainless grab handles are to the insides of the caprails and an abundance of drink holders will do their usual job of holding "stuff" as well as a drink or two.

Walk-Through

The windshield walk-through is closable and a lower door will block air on the cool mornings. An in-deck ski locker is located in the center of the walk-through, and while the compartment is fully lined, I'd like to see the addition of rubber matting to further protect expensive gear.To starboard is a door to access the storage under the helm console and I'm happy to see that Rinker thoughtfully provided shelf space in this compartment which, in my experience, doubles the storage capacity of the compartment. Piling things into a compartment is nowhere near as efficient as adding gear to a middle mounted shelf. This shelf also has a fiddle to keep items from sliding out when's the door is opened, and it's even designed to accommodate the standard stereo in a protected environment.

Helm

Clever solution.

The helm of the Captiva 276 BR is a fully fiberglassed insert that wraps around to significantly add more functionality while not increasing the width of the helm that would impede on the available space of the walk-through. I think this is a clever solution to a problem and the over-all design of the helm is one of the coolest I have seen in class.

Instrument panel.

The 5-position power tilt wheel is flattened at the bottom to allow just a little bit more leg room. All rocker switches are waterproof and lighted. Icons on all switches will allow for quick international recognition. Circuit breakers are located just underneath each switch. Large multifunction gauges cut down on the clutter and in the center of the panel is the standard color GPS.

Arm rest.

The throttle is mounted to a large molded armrest that was certainly not created as an afterthought. There is a padded arm rest outboard of the throttle and shift lever which is something missing on many boats in class. The helm module can be color matched to the hull as an option, and there is a foot rest. The MerCruiser Digital Throttle and Shift System (DTS), Perfect Pass speed control system, or the Volvo Penta electronic vessel control (EVC) are also available.

Head

A fully fiberglass lined head compartment is in the port side console and features a standard Porta-Potti. An opening portlight is against the portside bulkhead and the compartment also includes dedicated storage for the standard cockpit pedestal table which mounts in bases located in both the cockpit and bow. Rinker also offers an optional pump out head system.

Cockpit

The 276 BR cockpit is well laid out for entertaining, gathering, and for being comfortable while underway. The dual forward bucket seats slide and swivel around to join the crowd at the J-shaped seating. Between the two bucket seats is a second in-deck storage compartment. Just abaft the helm seat is a refreshment center with sink, trash receptacle, and carry-on cooler.

Abaft the Cockpit

The engine hatch is on a standard electric lift and there are dual pads to either side of the centerline walk-through. The cushions open outboard to access the storage underneath and with the location on top of the warm engine, this makes a great place to store wet gear to dry out. The dual hatches are supported by gas struts but they are located in the center of the hatch. They would be less of an imposition if they were over to the side. To the port hand side a filler cushion is attached to hinges that allow it to flip-out into position over the walkway.

Rumble seats.

There are aft facing rumble seats that make a perfect location to watch the action off the stern while at anchor or beached. Both cushions flip open to reveal even more storage underneath, and to the starboard side is the battery management system. The full beam swim platform has pull-up cleats in the corners and dual hatches give you a choice for mounting the reboarding ladder to the port or starboard quarter.

Observations

The Rinker Captiva 276 BR is clearly a well thought-out design that accommodates large crowds whether the float plan calls for watersports, on the water entertaining, day cruising, or docktails.

Needed options.

The proof of how well this boat is equipped is that when I go down the option list the only thing I see that is needed are lines, fenders, ground tackle and a canvas cover, plus the USCG safety package. This is as short a list as you will find on virtually any boat. A couple of items caught my eye on the option list. The first is the notation that Rinker will build the boat with "custom gel coat colors." That is highly unusual and so if you have a favorite odd color, you should call a Rinker dealer and find out more about this. The other thing we noted is that Rinker will install engines up to 430-hp. I am particularly pleased to see the fine execution of design in the Captiva 276 BR, something that is typical in the new generation of Rinker boats. As with all Rinker's, this 276 is priced to remain competitive starting at $58,999.

Standard and Optional Features