Rinker EX 370

Boat Test #1445

Rinker updates its flagship for 2017

Everyone has their number when it comes to shopping for a new boat. For some, it’s the length. For others, it’s the horsepower. If I am going to be able to enjoy a cabin cruiser, I want a cabin I can actually stand up in. With most boats in this category, finding enough headroom to accommodate my 6’ 6” frame can be a challenge. So when I laid eyes on the spec sheet for Rinker’s new EX 370 and saw a cabin headroom of 6’ 11”, I was impressed.
The headroom, combined with the 12-foot beam, translates into a spacious below deck area. There’s a queen-size island berth up front. In the standard configuration, there’s a privacy curtain to separate this sleeping area from the rest of the cabin, a full bulkhead is optional.

The galley occupies the port side of the cabin and features a four cubic foot refrigerator, two-burner stove, microwave, and solid surface counter tops. Opposite the galley is the main seating area. There’s a large sofa that folds down into a second sleeping space. The removable dual pedestal table is great for dining or socializing.
The head on this model is just aft of the galley, right at the base of the companionway steps and includes a porcelain toilet and separate stand-up shower.
The aft cabin features a U-shaped wrap-around settee that also converts into a double wide berth, bringing the sleeping capacity to six. There is also an optional flat screen television available for this space, making it ideal for rainy day entertainment.
Moving up the companionway onto the deck, we find a large seating area to port and the helm to starboard. The centerpiece of the helm is a Raymarine C-95 Chartplotter that also supports radar. A Raydome antenna is optional.
Our test boat is rigged with MerCruiser gasoline powerplants, so the helm features the latest Mercury VesselView instrumentation, providing a complete overview of all engine functions and performance. To make handling this 15,000-pound boat much simpler, the helm controls are also outfitted with Mercury’s Axius joystick maneuvering system. A similar system is available when the EX 370 is rigged with Volvo Penta engines.
Aft of the helm is the main entertaining area. The large U-shaped seat wraps around the starboard side of the cockpit with plenty of room for guests. On the port side is the outdoor galley. It features a two cubic foot refrigerator, icemaker, sink and built-in blender (a Rinker tradition!).
Next to the galley is a transom walkthrough that provides access to the large, integrated swim platform. The transom also features a spacious trunk, ideal for stowing fenders, lines and water toys.
The Rinker EX 370 comes standard with a five-kilowatt generator. The options list is rather short but offers amenities like an outdoor grill, cockpit flooring, covers and a sun pad for the foredeck.
Rinker has checked a lot of boxes with the EX 370. If you’re in the market for a mid-size cabin cruiser, perhaps Rinker has your number.
By Steve Sansford