When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Medline 500 2013 and the Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 are deep vee designs with rigid inflatable construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Zodiac Medline 500 2013 at 16,4 ft versus Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 at 17,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 tips the scales at 1 058 lbs — 280 lbs less than the Zodiac Medline 500 2013 at 778 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 115 hp, the Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 has a 75-hp advantage over the Zodiac Medline 500 2013's 40-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 carries 32 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Zodiac Medline 500 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 9 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 19 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Medline 500 2013. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 has a documented top speed of 43 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac Medline 500 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Zodiac Medline IIC 2011 and its 115-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Zodiac Medline 500 2013 with its 40-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.