Zodiac 550 2009 vs Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac 550 2009 or the Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011?

The Zodiac 550 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,1 feet overall. The Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 comes in at 8,5 feet, making it roughly 9,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Zodiac 550 2009 is rated to a maximum of 120 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 tops out at 4 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Zodiac 550 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 is certified for 4. 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 550 2009 and Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac 550 2009 and the Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 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 550 2009 vs Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011

Zodiac

Zodiac 550 2009

2009

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Zodiac

Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Zodiac 550 2009 vs Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac 550 2009 against a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 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 116-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011's 4-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 Roll Up 260 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 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 Roll Up 260 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.

General Boat Info

MakeZodiac

Model55

ModelCadet Roll Up 26

Model Year2009

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Length - Feet18.08

Length - Feet8.5

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in. (5.5 m)

Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.51

Length overall - Meters2.59

Length overall - Inches217

Length overall - Inches102

Beamnot available

Beam5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters1.6

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches63

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail73 lbs. (33 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg33.11

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.73

Body / Hull

Hull materialInflatable

Hull typeInflatable Rigid

Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max120 hp (90 kW)

Engine max4 hp (3 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity3,197 lbs. (1,450 kg)

Maximum capacity661 lbs. (300 kg)

Maximum people11

Maximum people4

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameternot available

Tube diameter1 ft. 6 in. (0.45 m)

Performance

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed7 mph (11 km/h)

Zodiac 550 2009 vs Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac 550 2009 or the Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011?

The Zodiac 550 2009 is the longer of the two at 18,1 feet overall. The Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 comes in at 8,5 feet, making it roughly 9,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Zodiac 550 2009 is rated to a maximum of 120 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 tops out at 4 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Zodiac 550 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 is certified for 4. 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 550 2009 and Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac 550 2009 and the Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 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 550 2009 full specs ← Zodiac Cadet Roll Up 260 2011 full specs