Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 boat specs
Zodiac
Zodiac 260 AERO 2009
2009
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VS
Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 boat specs
Zodiac
Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008
2008
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Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 vs Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 against a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 6 hp for the Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 and 20 hp for the Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008. 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 Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 could be the deciding factor.

The Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 has a documented top speed of 28 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.

Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 11,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeZodiac
MakeZodiac
Model260 AERO
ModelCadet 340 S
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Length - Feet8.5
Length - Feet11
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 5 in. (2.6 m)
Length overall - Detail11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m) Inside Length: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.48)
Length overall - Meters2.57
Length overall - Meters3.4
Length overall - Inches101
Length overall - Inches134
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail115 lbs. (52 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg52.16
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.115
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail5 ft. 11. (1.79 m) Inside Width: 2 ft. 7 in. (.78 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters3.4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
Body / Hull
Hull materialRigid inflatable
Hull materialInflatable
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max6 hp (4.5 kW)
Engine max20 hp (15 kW) Recommended Maximum: 15 hp (12 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard6 hp (5 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity882 lbs. (400 kg)
Maximum capacity1,653 lbs. (750 kg)
Maximum people3
Maximum people5+1
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed28 mph (45 km/h)

Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 vs Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 or the Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008?
The Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 is the longer of the two at 11,0 feet overall. The Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 comes in at 8,5 feet, making it roughly 2,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 is rated to a maximum of 20 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 tops out at 6 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 3 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 is certified for 5. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Are the Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 and Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Zodiac 260 AERO 2009 and the Zodiac Cadet 340 S 2008 are built by Zodiac. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.