When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac 550 2009 and the Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 2013 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 120 hp, the Zodiac 550 2009 has a 95-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 2013's 25-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 RIB 340 2013 caps at 6. 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.
The Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac 550 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 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 RIB 340 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.