When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 NEO 2013 and the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 2012 are inflatable rigid designs with inflatable 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 NEO 2013 at 11,2 ft versus Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 2012 at 13,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 2012 tips the scales at 602 lbs — 388 lbs less than the Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 NEO 2013 at 214 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 60 hp, the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 2012 has a 35-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 NEO 2013's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 6 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 NEO 2013 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 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.
The Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 2012 has a documented top speed of 37 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
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. 6 in. (0.45 m) on the Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 NEO 2013 vs 1 ft. 6 in. (0.455 m) on the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 2012 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.
Bottom line: The Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 420 DL 2012 at 13,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Zodiac Cadet RIB 340 NEO 2013 at 11,2 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.