Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 against a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 at 9,8 ft versus Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 at 11,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 tips the scales at 115 lbs — 104 lbs less than the Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 at 11 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 10 hp for the Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 and 20 hp for the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012. 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 Cadet Solid 340 2012 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 6 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 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 28 mph for the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 and 21 mph for the Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013.
Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly. Tube diameter differs: 1 ft. 5 in. (0.42 m) on the Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 vs 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) on the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 11,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet Compact 300 NEO 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.