Zodiac III 2009 vs Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac III 2009 or the Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008?

The Zodiac III 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,8 feet overall. The Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 11,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Zodiac III 2009 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Zodiac III 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Are the Zodiac III 2009 and Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac III 2009 and the Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 are built by Zodiac. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Zodiac III 2009 vs Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008

Zodiac

Zodiac III 2009

2009

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Zodiac

Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Zodiac III 2009 vs Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac III 2009 against a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Zoom 380 S 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Zodiac III 2009 has a 235-hp advantage over the Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008's 15-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 Zoom 380 S 2008 caps at 6. 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.

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 Zoom 380 S 2008 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

MakeZodiac

ModelIII

ModelZoom 380 S

Model Year2009

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Length - Feet23.75

Length - Feet12

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 9 in. (7.3 m)

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters7.24

Length overall - Meters3.81

Length overall - Inches285

Length overall - Inches15

Beamnot available

Beam5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters1.68

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches66

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail121 lbs. (55 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg54.88

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.121

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters3.8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Body / Hull

Hull materialInflatable

Hull typeInflatable Rigid

Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max250 hp (186 kW)

Engine max15 hp (12 kW) - 25 hp (19 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity3,858 lbs. (1,750 kg)

Maximum capacityPayload: 1,367 lbs. (620 kg)

Maximum people15

Maximum people6

Zodiac III 2009 vs Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac III 2009 or the Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008?

The Zodiac III 2009 is the longer of the two at 23,8 feet overall. The Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 comes in at 12,0 feet, making it roughly 11,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Zodiac III 2009 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 tops out at 15 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Zodiac III 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Are the Zodiac III 2009 and Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac III 2009 and the Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 are built by Zodiac. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Zodiac III 2009 full specs ← Zodiac Zoom 380 S 2008 full specs