Matching a inflatable non rigid Mercury 340 Air Deck PVC 2011 against a inflatable rigid Mercury 380 Heavy Duty Hypalon 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Mercury 340 Air Deck PVC 2011 at 11,2 ft versus Mercury 380 Heavy Duty Hypalon 2013 at 12,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mercury 380 Heavy Duty Hypalon 2013 tips the scales at 221 lbs — 122 lbs less than the Mercury 340 Air Deck PVC 2011 at 99 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 15 hp for the Mercury 340 Air Deck PVC 2011 and 25 hp for the Mercury 380 Heavy Duty Hypalon 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 Hypalon 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Mercury 340 Air Deck PVC 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mercury 380 Heavy Duty Hypalon 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Mercury 340 Air Deck PVC 2011 comes in at 7 lbs per hp versus 9 lbs per hp for the Mercury 380 Heavy Duty Hypalon 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.