Matching a inflatable non rigid Mercury 310 Sport 2008 against a inflatable rigid Mercury 380 Heavy Duty PVC 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Mercury 380 Heavy Duty PVC 2013 measures 12,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 11,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mercury 310 Sport 2008 at 1,0 feet (2008). At 114 lbs and 205 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 15 hp for the Mercury 310 Sport 2008 and 25 hp for the Mercury 380 Heavy Duty PVC 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Mercury 380 Heavy Duty PVC 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Mercury 310 Sport 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mercury 380 Heavy Duty PVC 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Mercury 310 Sport 2008 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Mercury 380 Heavy Duty PVC 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.