When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 and the Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 2011 are inflatable rigid designs with inflatable construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
The Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 2011 tops out at 10 hp. Engine specs for the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 could be the deciding factor.
The Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 2011 has a documented top speed of 21 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 13,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.