Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac 550 2009 vs Zodiac Cadet 285 S 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac 550 2009 against a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet 285 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 120 hp, the Zodiac 550 2009 has a 112-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet 285 S 2008's 8-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Zodiac 550 2009 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet 285 S 2008 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac 550 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac 550 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 18,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet 285 S 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Length - Feet18.08
Length - Feet9
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detail9 ft. 4 in. (2.85 m) Inside Length: 6 ft. 5 in. (1.95 m)
Length overall - Meters5.51
Length overall - Meters2.84
Length overall - Inches217
Length overall - Inches112
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail86 lbs. (39 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg39.01
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.86
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) Inside Width: 2 ft. 4 in. (.7 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters2.85
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialInflatable
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max120 hp (90 kW)
Engine max8 hp (6 kW) Recommended Maximum: 6 hp (4.5 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard4 hp (3 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,197 lbs. (1,450 kg)
Maximum capacity881 lbs (400 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people4
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed17 mph (28 km/h)