Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac IV 2009 vs Zodiac Pro Classic 500 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac IV 2009 against a deep vee Zodiac Pro Classic 500 2013 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 350 hp, the Zodiac IV 2009 has a 280-hp advantage over the Zodiac Pro Classic 500 2013's 70-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 IV 2009 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro Classic 500 2013 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac IV 2009 could be the deciding factor.
The Zodiac Pro Classic 500 2013 has a documented top speed of 41 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac Pro Classic 500 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac IV 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 IV 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 27,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Pro Classic 500 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelIV
ModelPro Classic 5
Model Year2009
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Length - Feet27.92
Length - Feet15.42
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 11 in. (8.5 m)
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 5 in. (4.7 m)
Length overall - Meters8.51
Length overall - Meters4.7
Length overall - Inches335
Length overall - Inches185
Beamnot available
Beam6 ft. 9 in. (2.05 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.06
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches81
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail507 lbs. (230 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg229.97
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.507
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail3 ft. 5 in. (1.05 m) inside
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]11 ft. 1 in. (3.38 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialInflatable
Hull materialRigid inflatable
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max350 hp (262 kW)
Engine max70 hp
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower40 - 50 hp recommended
Operational Info
Maximum capacity4,695 lbs. (2,130 kg)
Maximum capacity2,337 lbs. (1,060 kg)
Maximum people15
Maximum people9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes5 airtight compartments
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed41 mph (66 km/h)