Matching a inflatable non rigid Mercury 380 Heavy-Duty 2008 against a inflatable rigid Mercury V-570 2011 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 V-570 2011 measures 18,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Mercury 380 Heavy-Duty 2008 at 12,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mercury V-570 2011 tips the scales at 818 lbs — 597 lbs less than the Mercury 380 Heavy-Duty 2008 at 221 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 135 hp, the Mercury V-570 2011 has a 110-hp advantage over the Mercury 380 Heavy-Duty 2008's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Mercury V-570 2011 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Mercury 380 Heavy-Duty 2008 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mercury V-570 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Mercury V-570 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 18,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mercury 380 Heavy-Duty 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.