Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 vs Zodiac III 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac III 2009 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Zodiac III 2009 has a 230-hp advantage over the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012's 20-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 III 2009 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac III 2009 could be the deciding factor.
The Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 has a documented top speed of 28 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac III 2009 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 III 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Cadet Solid 340 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelCadet Solid 34
ModelIII
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam5 ft. 11 in. (1.79 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters1.8
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches71
Beam - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail115 lbs. (52 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg52.16
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.115
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail2 ft. 7 in. (0.78 m) inside width
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length [deck]8 ft. 2 in. (2.48 m) inside length
Length [deck]not available
Length - Feet11.17
Length - Feet23.75
Length overall - Detail11 ft. 2 in. (3.4 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.3 m)
Length overall - Meters3.4
Length overall - Meters7.24
Length overall - Inches134
Length overall - Inches285
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialInflatable
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m)
Tube diameternot available
Number of tubesAirtight Compartments: 3 + 1
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max20 hp (15 kW)
Engine max250 hp (186 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed28 mph (45 km/h)
Maximum speednot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,653.5 lbs. (750 kg)
Maximum capacity3,858 lbs. (1,750 kg)
Maximum people5 + 1
Maximum people15