When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 and the Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010 are inflatable non 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 measures 12,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010 at 7,9 feet (2010). At 95 lbs and 6 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 25 hp, the Zodiac Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 has a 21-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010'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 Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 4 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Bombard Aerotec 380 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 27 mph for the Zodiac Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 and 12 mph for the Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010.
The Zodiac Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010 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 Bombard Aerotec 380 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 12,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet Airlite 240 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.