Standard-Bearer
Rinker boats’ Captiva 276 is everything a full-size family runabout should be.

For those of us who’ve been watching, the evolution of runabouts over the past 10 years has been amazing. The most obvious change is size. Without question, they’re bigger. Almost every major runabout builder now offers something in the 27-foot range. Cuddy cabins have, for the most part, gone out of fashion in favor of generous open bows with near-cuddy-cabin-size head lockers/changing rooms. Less obvious but every bit as significant is the abundance of features. From molded entertainment centers with Corian countertops to stereo systems with MP3 docking stations, today’s top-of-the-line runabouts are loaded with useful amenities.

The second-largest model in Rinker’s Captiva series of runabouts, the 276 is an outstanding example of today’s frill-filled runabouts. You name it—wakeboard tower, rear-facing lounges above the swim platform, a cleverly designed sun pad with a hinged cushion covering the walk-through—this 28-footer has it. And for a family oriented bow rider, it’s even fun to drive.

PERFORMANCE

Base power for the Captiva 276 is a 300-horsepower MerCruiser 350 Mag engine with a counter-rotating dual-propeller Bravo Three drive. Our test model was equipped with a 375-hp MerCruiser 496 Mag engine. Even though the engine upgrade added almost $10,000 to the price, we couldn’t see buying the boat with less power. The big-block engine was an ideal match for the model’s six-strake, conventional V-bottom hull.

For a boat in the family runabout class, standing-start and midrange acceleration were excellent. The Captiva 276 came on plane in 2.8 seconds with its Lenco trim tabs down and reached 50 mph from a standing start in 15 seconds. The boat ran from 20 to 40 mph in 5.8 seconds and from 30 to 50 mph in 9 seconds.

Both of our test drivers felt the Captiva 276 was under-propped with its 24"-pitch Bravo Three wheels, as the boat was frequently on the rev-limiter during their tests. Hitting the limiter often caused the engine to go into Guardian mode, a good, if slightly annoying, thing. Going up a size in pitch would likely eliminate that problem, but then the boat’s low- and midrange acceleration would suffer.

With the engine turning 5,050 rpm and bumping the limiter, the Captiva 276 reached 52.8 mph. Both test drivers said the boat would go faster with bigger propellers, but they also agreed that 50-plus mph was fast enough for a family oriented, production-built bow rider.

In handling tests, our lead test driver described the Captiva 276 as “nimble and predictable,” both essential qualities for a model in its class. Though unsuitable for rougher water than the 2- to 3-footers we encountered off Fort Myers Beach, Fla., the 28-footer provided a gentle ride in smooth water and tracked well at all speeds.

INTERIOR

Giant swim platforms have become the rage of late in runabouts, and why not? More often than not, runabouts become giant rafts for diving and swimming, and a lot of that action happens off the stern. However, most builders usually attach an add-on platform to the integrated platform. In the case of the Captiva 276, the entire two-tier platform, complete with a wet locker, a ladder locker and rear-facing lounges, was integrated into the mold. The result was a far more finished look at the stern.

Naturally, the stern included a washdown hose and a remote control for the stereo system. A unique cushion arrangement with a hinged section and a gas strut in the center of the boat could be used to create a carpeted walk-through or a full-size sun pad. For pulling wakeboarders, the builder equipped the V-bottom with an arched aluminum tower with bimini hardware.

In the cockpit, the boat boasted a J-shape lounge with a stowage locker under every seat, bucket seats with flip-up bottoms for the driver and co-pilot, and an entertainment center with Corian countertops, a small cabinet and a sink. In addition to the lockers under the lounges, there were two stowage compartments in the sole.

Rinker also built a large head locker in the observer’s console to port. Inside was a dedicated stowage rack for the portable dinette table, which could be used in the cockpit or the bow thanks to in-sole receptacles for the table stand.

Faria gauges and a tilt steering wheel with the Rinker name in the hub graced the helm area. Also included was a Lowrance 5200 GPS unit, indicators for the trim tabs and a Mercury Marine SmartCraft “drive-by-wire” throttle-and-shifter unit.

The head unit for the boat’s stereo system was mounted on the starboard side of the walk-through, which was equipped with a folding “wind-dam” door to keep the breeze out of the cockpit. Under the lounge cushions in the open bow were more stowage lockers. Like those in the cockpit, each locker was equipped with a plastic tub to prevent water collected in them from draining directly to the bilge.

WORKMANSHIP

Rinker did a nice job with the Captiva 276’s blue and white gelcoat. True, the two-color package was simple enough, but the gelcoat was bright and shiny, and the mold work was smooth.

Although the largest pieces of hardware on the boat were the tower and the solidly installed walk-through windshield, the most welcome were the eight retractable cleats. They will give owners and their guests plenty of options come docking time. Also likely to be appreciated by folks who log serious time on the Captiva 276 is the dedicated anchor locker in the bow.

The power engine hatch raised to a nearly vertical height for excellent access to the big-block power plant. Rather than going with lag bolts driven into stringer blocks, as is the standard in most production runabouts, the builder used L-angles through-bolted to the stringers to keep the engine in place. That’s a move we applaud and would like to see more of in the runabout world.

Wiring harnesses were supported by nylon cushion clamps and, in general, the engine compartment rigging was well handled. Plastic boxes housed the batteries and the trim pumps were mounted on the starboard side of the bilge.

OVERALL

Rinker offers a lot of family boat in the Captiva 276 at a reasonable price. It truly lacks for nothing and offers enough performance to keep most recreational powerboat drivers engaged. It’s a well-planned, well-executed model that’s sure to please a crowd.