Matching a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet Solid 260 2012 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac Medline III 2008 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac Medline III 2008 measures 24,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 15,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Cadet Solid 260 2012 at 8,5 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Medline III 2008 tips the scales at 3 086 lbs — 3 007 lbs less than the Zodiac Cadet Solid 260 2012 at 79 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 250 hp, the Zodiac Medline III 2008 has a 244-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet Solid 260 2012's 6-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 III 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Solid 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 Medline III 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Medline III 2008 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 13 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Cadet Solid 260 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 53 mph for the Zodiac Medline III 2008 and 11 mph for the Zodiac Cadet Solid 260 2012.
The Zodiac Cadet Solid 260 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Medline III 2008 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 Medline III 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet Solid 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.