Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac Cadet Airlite 260 2009 vs Zodiac Medline IV 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet Airlite 260 2009 against a deep vee Zodiac Medline IV 2011 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 350 hp, the Zodiac Medline IV 2011 has a 346-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet Airlite 260 2009'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 Medline IV 2011 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Airlite 260 2009 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 IV 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Medline IV 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet Airlite 260 2009 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 Airlite 26
ModelMedline IV
Model Year2009
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Length - Feet8.5
Length - Feet27.92
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 11 in. (8.5 m)
Length overall - Meters2.59
Length overall - Meters8.51
Length overall - Inches102
Length overall - Inches335
Beamnot available
Beam9 ft. 10 in. (3 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters3
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches118
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail3,527 lbs. (1,600 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1599.82
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.3527
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max4 hp (3 kW)
Engine max350 hp (262 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail105.7 gal. (400 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters401.25
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal105.7
Operational Info
Maximum capacity815 lbs. (370 kg)
Maximum capacity3,538 - 4,696 lbs. (1,605 - 2,130 kg)
Maximum people3 + 1
Maximum people8 / 15
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter2 ft. (0.6 m)
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed57 mph (91 km/h)