When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Cadet RIB 220 2010 and the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 are inflatable rigid designs with fiberglass 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 Pro Open 650 2011 measures 21,3 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 14,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Cadet RIB 220 2010 at 7,3 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 tips the scales at 1 477 lbs — 1 409 lbs less than the Zodiac Cadet RIB 220 2010 at 68 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 175 hp, the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 has a 171-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet RIB 220 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 Pro Open 650 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet RIB 220 2010 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 21,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet RIB 220 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.