Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac 260 R 2009 vs Zodiac AX 3 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac 260 R 2009 against a inflatable non rigid Zodiac AX 3 2012 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 — 8 hp for the Zodiac 260 R 2009 and 4 hp for the Zodiac AX 3 2012. 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.
Both boats are rated for 3 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
The Zodiac AX 3 2012 has a documented top speed of 6 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac AX 3 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac 260 R 2009 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: The Zodiac 260 R 2009 and Zodiac AX 3 2012 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
Model Year2009
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Length - Feet8.5
Length - Feet8.5
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Length overall - Meters2.59
Length overall - Meters2.59
Length overall - Inches102
Length overall - Inches102
Beamnot available
Beam4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters1.42
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches56
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail63.9 lbs. (29 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg29.03
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.63.9
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail2 ft. 4 in. (0.7 m) inside width
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]5 ft. 7 in. (1.69 m) inside length
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialInflatable
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max8 hp (6 kW)
Engine max4 hp (3 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity725 lbs. (329 kg)
Maximum capacity661.4 lbs. (300 kg)
Maximum people3
Maximum people3
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubesAirtight Compartments: 2
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed6 mph (10 km/h)