Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 vs Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 or the Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012?

The Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 is the longer of the two at 13,7 feet overall. The Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 comes in at 9,0 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 has a documented max rating of 6 hp. Engine specifications for the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 is certified for 3. 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.

Q: Are the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 and Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 and the Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 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.

Boat Comparison

Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 vs Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012

Zodiac

Zodiac 420 TC4 2009

2009

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Zodiac

Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 vs Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 against a inflatable non rigid Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 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.

The Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 tops out at 6 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 MAX 3+ Aero 2012 caps at 3. 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 MAX 3+ Aero 2012 has a documented top speed of 12 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.

The Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.

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 MAX 3+ Aero 2012 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

Model420 TC4

ModelMAX 3+ Aero

Model Year2009

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Length - Feet13.67

Length - Feet9

Length overall - Detail13 ft. 8 in. (4.2 m)

Length overall - Detail9 ft. (2.75 m)

Length overall - Meters4.17

Length overall - Meters2.74

Length overall - Inches164

Length overall - Inches108

Beamnot available

Beam5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters1.55

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches61

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail77.2 lbs. (35 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg34.93

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.77.2

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail2 ft. 5 in. (0.74 m) inside width

Length [deck]not available

Length [deck]5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m) inside length

Body / Hull

Hull materialInflatable

Hull typeInflatable Rigid

Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine maxnot available

Engine max6 hp (4.5 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,212 lbs. (550 kg)

Maximum capacity771.6 lbs. (350 kg)

Maximum people6

Maximum people3

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter1 ft. 4 in. (0.4 m)

Number of tubesnot available

Number of tubesAirtight Compartments: 3 + 1 + 1

Performance

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed12 mph (20 km/h)

Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 vs Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 or the Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012?

The Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 is the longer of the two at 13,7 feet overall. The Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 comes in at 9,0 feet, making it roughly 4,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 has a documented max rating of 6 hp. Engine specifications for the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 is certified for 3. 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 420 TC4 2009 and Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 and the Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 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.

← Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 full specs ← Zodiac MAX 3+ Aero 2012 full specs