When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 and the Zodiac Classic Mark 1 ST 2011 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 Classic Mark 1 ST 2011 measures 11,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 at 8,0 feet (2008). At 79 lbs and 135 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 6 hp for the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 and 25 hp for the Zodiac Classic Mark 1 ST 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Zodiac Classic Mark 1 ST 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Classic Mark 1 ST 2011 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Classic Mark 1 ST 2011 comes in at 5 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008. 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 28 mph for the Zodiac Classic Mark 1 ST 2011 and 11 mph for the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Classic Mark 1 ST 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 11,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.