Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 vs Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 or the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008?

The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 comes in at 14,8 feet, making it roughly 3,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 is rated to a maximum of 120 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 tops out at 40 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 Mark III FR 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 is certified for 11. 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 Mark III FR 2009 and Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 and the Zodiac Pro Open 550 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 Mark III FR 2009 vs Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008

Zodiac

Zodiac Mark III FR 2009

2009

View full specs →

Zodiac

Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 vs Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a inflatable non rigid Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac Pro Open 550 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 120 hp, the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 has a 80-hp advantage over the Zodiac Mark III FR 2009's 40-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 Pro Open 550 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 could be the deciding factor.

The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 has a documented top speed of 45 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.

Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeZodiac

ModelMark III FR

ModelPro Open 55

Model Year2009

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Length - Feet14.75

Length - Feet18

Length overall - Detail14 ft. 9 in. (4.5 m)

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 1 in. (5.25 m) Inside Length: 11 in. (3.35 m)

Length overall - Meters4.5

Length overall - Meters5.51

Length overall - Inches177

Length overall - Inches217

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail970 lbs. (440 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg439.98

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.97

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Width [transom] - Detail8 ft. 2 in. (2.5 m) Inside Width: 4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters5.25

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches1

Body / Hull

Hull materialInflatable

Hull materialRigid inflatable

Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid

Hull typeInflatable Rigid

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max40 hp (30 kW)

Engine max120 hp (90 kW) Recommended Maximum: 90 hp (68 kW)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standard60 hp (45 kW)

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,646 lbs. (1,200 kg)

Maximum capacity3,218 lbs. (1,460 kg)

Maximum people8

Maximum people11

Performance

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed45 mph (72 km/h)

Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 vs Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 or the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008?

The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 comes in at 14,8 feet, making it roughly 3,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 is rated to a maximum of 120 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 tops out at 40 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 Mark III FR 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 is certified for 11. 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 Mark III FR 2009 and Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Zodiac Mark III FR 2009 and the Zodiac Pro Open 550 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 Mark III FR 2009 full specs ← Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 full specs