Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 vs Zodiac Medline III 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 against a deep vee Zodiac Medline III 2010 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 Medline III 2010 measures 24,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 at 8,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Medline III 2010 tips the scales at 3 087 lbs — 3 008 lbs less than the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008 at 79 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 250 hp, the Zodiac Medline III 2010 has a 244-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet 260 S 2008's 6-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 Medline III 2010 is rated for 8 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 Medline III 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Medline III 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 24,0 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.
General Boat Info
ModelCadet 260 S
ModelMedline III
Model Year2008
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Weight - Detail79 lbs. (36 kg)
Weight - Detail3,087 lbs. (1,400 kg)
Weight - kg35.83
Weight - kg1400.24
Weight - lbs.79
Weight - lbs.3087
Width [transom] - Detail5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) Inside Width: 2 ft. 4 in. (.7 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Meters2.6
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet8
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m) Inside Length: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m)
Length overall - Detail24 ft. (7.3 m)
Length overall - Meters2.59
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Inches102
Length overall - Inches288
Beamnot available
Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches118
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard3 hp (2.3 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max6 hp (4.5 kW) Recommended Maximum: 4 hp (3 kW)
Engine max250 hp (186 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - DetailRear:46.5 gal. (176 l) Bow: 44.4 gal. (168 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters177.91
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal46.5
Performance
Maximum speed11 mph (18 km/h)
Maximum speed53 mph (85 km/h)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity815 lbs. (370 kg)
Maximum capacity2,866 - 3,858 lbs. (1,300 - 1,750 kg)
Maximum people3+1
Maximum people8 / 15
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter1 ft. 11 in. (0.575 m)