Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac Bayrunner 420 2013 vs Zodiac III 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Zodiac Bayrunner 420 2013 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac III 2009 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 250 hp, the Zodiac III 2009 has a 200-hp advantage over the Zodiac Bayrunner 420 2013's 50-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 III 2009 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Zodiac Bayrunner 420 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac III 2009 could be the deciding factor.
The Zodiac Bayrunner 420 2013 has a documented top speed of 37 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac Bayrunner 420 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac III 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 III 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Bayrunner 420 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelBayrunner 42
ModelIII
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam6 ft. 3 in. (1.9 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters1.91
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches75
Beam - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail399 lbs. (181 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg180.98
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.399
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail3 ft. 1 in. (0.95 m) inside
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length [deck]9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet13.75
Length - Feet23.75
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 9 in. (4.2 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.3 m)
Length overall - Meters4.19
Length overall - Meters7.24
Length overall - Inches165
Length overall - Inches285
Body / Hull
Hull materialRigid inflatable
Hull materialInflatable
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter1 ft. 6 in. (0.45 m)
Tube diameternot available
Number of tubes3 airtight compartments
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepower40 - 50 hp recommended
Horsepowernot available
Engine max50 hp
Engine max250 hp (186 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed37 mph (59 km/h)
Maximum speednot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,764 lbs. (800 kg)
Maximum capacity3,858 lbs. (1,750 kg)
Maximum people7
Maximum people15