Matching a deep vee Zodiac Medline IIC 2010 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2011 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Zodiac Medline IIC 2010 at 17,4 ft versus Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2011 at 15,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Medline IIC 2010 tips the scales at 1 058 lbs — 972 lbs more than the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2011 at 86 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 2010 has a 25-hp advantage over the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2011's 90-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 2010 carries 32 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2011. 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 Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2011 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 9 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Medline IIC 2010. 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.

Top speed is rated at 43 mph for the Zodiac Medline IIC 2010 and 42 mph for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2011.