Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac Cadet RIB 260 2012 vs Zodiac Pro 1980 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Zodiac Cadet RIB 260 2012 vs Zodiac Pro 1980 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 60 hp, the Zodiac Pro 1980 has a 50-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet RIB 260 2012's 10-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 1980 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet RIB 260 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro 1980 could be the deciding factor.
The Zodiac Cadet RIB 260 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Pro 1980 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Pro 1980 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 15,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet RIB 260 2012 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
MakeZodiac
Makenot available
ModelCadet RIB 26
Modelnot available
Model Year2012
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam5 ft. 1 in. (1.56 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters1.55
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches61
Beam - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail114 lbs. (52 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg51.71
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.114
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail2 ft. 4 in. (0.7 m) inside width
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length [deck]5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) inside length
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet8.5
Length - Feet15
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Length overall - Detail15.00 ft
Length overall - Meters2.59
Length overall - Meters4.57
Length overall - Inches102
Length overall - Inches180
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter1 ft. 5 in. (0.42 m)
Tube diameternot available
Number of tubesAirtight Compartments: 3
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Engine max10 hp (8 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower60 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity881 lbs. (400 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people3
Maximum peoplenot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower