Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac Futura Mark 2 FR 2011 vs Zodiac Medline III 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Futura Mark 2 FR 2011 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 10,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Futura Mark 2 FR 2011 at 13,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Medline III 2008 tips the scales at 3 086 lbs — 2 921 lbs less than the Zodiac Futura Mark 2 FR 2011 at 165 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 220-hp advantage over the Zodiac Futura Mark 2 FR 2011's 30-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 Futura Mark 2 FR 2011 caps at 6. 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.
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 Futura Mark 2 FR 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFutura Mark 2 FR
ModelMedline III
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam6 ft. 6 in. (1.99 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters1.98
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches78
Beam - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail165 lbs. (75 kg)
Weight - Detail3,086 lbs. (1,400 kg)
Weight - kg74.84
Weight - kg1399.78
Weight - lbs.165
Weight - lbs.3086
Length - Feet13.42
Length - Feet24
Length overall - Detail13 ft. 5 in. (4.1m)
Length overall - Detail24 ft. (7.3 m) Inside Length: 16 ft. 6 in. (5.02 m)
Length overall - Meters4.09
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Inches161
Length overall - Inches288
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail9 ft. 10 in. (3 m) Inside Width: 6 ft. 1 in. (1.85 m)
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.3
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialRigid inflatable
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter1 ft. 10 in. (0.55 m)
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max30 hp (23 kW)
Engine max250 hp (184 kW)
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standard130 hp (96 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed29 mph (47 km/h)
Maximum speed53 mph (85 km/h)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,205 lbs. (1,000 kg)
Maximum capacity2,865 lbs. (cat B), 3,858 lbs. (cat C), 1,300 lbs. (cat B), 1,750 lbs. (cat C)
Maximum people6
Maximum people8 (cat B), 15 (cat C)