Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac 550 2009 vs Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 — A Close Look at Two Inflatable Rigids
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac 550 2009 and the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 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 30-hp advantage over the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012's 90-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 Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 caps at 9. 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 Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 has a documented top speed of 42 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 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 Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model55
ModelYachtline Deluxe 470 DL
Model Year2009
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Length - Feet18.08
Length - Feet15.42
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 5 in. (4.7 m)
Length overall - Meters5.51
Length overall - Meters4.7
Length overall - Inches217
Length overall - Inches185
Beamnot available
Beam6 ft. 9 in. (2.05 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.06
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches81
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail860 lbs. (390 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg390.09
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.86
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.05 m) inside width
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]9 ft. 9 in. (2.98 m) inside length
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max120 hp (90 kW)
Engine max90 hp (68 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters87.06
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal22.5
Operational Info
Maximum capacity3,197 lbs. (1,450 kg)
Maximum capacity2,083 lbs. (945 kg)
Maximum people11
Maximum people9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubesAirtight Compartments: 5
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed42 mph (68 km/h)