Matching a inflatable non rigid Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012 against a deep vee Zodiac Pro Touring 550 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 measures 17,1 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 8,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012 at 8,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 tips the scales at 694 lbs — 624 lbs less than the Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012 at 71 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 has a 86-hp advantage over the Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012'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 Pro Touring 550 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 18 lbs per hp for the Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Top speed is rated at 42 mph for the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 and 9 mph for the Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012.
Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly. Tube diameter differs: 1 ft. 2 in. (0.36 m) on the Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012 vs 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) on the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 17,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac AX 3 Aero 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.