Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 vs Zodiac Medline 500 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 against a deep vee Zodiac Medline 500 2013 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 Medline 500 2013 tops out at 40 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 Medline 500 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Medline 500 2013 could be the deciding factor.
The Zodiac Medline 500 2013 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 Medline 500 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 16,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac 420 TC4 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model420 TC4
ModelMedline 5
Model Year2009
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Length - Feet13.67
Length - Feet16.42
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 8 in. (4.2 m)
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 5 in. (5 m)
Length overall - Meters4.17
Length overall - Meters5
Length overall - Inches164
Length overall - Inches197
Beamnot available
Beam7 ft. 4 in. (2.24 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.24
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches88
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail778 lbs. (353 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg352.89
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.778
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail4 ft. 1 in. (1.25 m) inside width
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialRigid inflatable
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (90 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal23
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower40 - 80 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,212 lbs. (550 kg)
Maximum capacity2,716 lbs. (1,232 kg)
Maximum people6
Maximum people9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes5 airtight compartments