Matching a deep vee Zodiac Medline IIC 2012 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac Pro Open 850 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011 measures 27,9 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 10,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Medline IIC 2012 at 17,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011 tips the scales at 3 307 lbs — 2 249 lbs less than the Zodiac Medline IIC 2012 at 1 058 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 350 hp, the Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011 has a 235-hp advantage over the Zodiac Medline IIC 2012's 115-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 Pro Open 850 2011 carries 106 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Zodiac Medline IIC 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Zodiac Medline IIC 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Medline IIC 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Medline IIC 2012 comes in at 9 lbs per hp versus 9 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011. 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 57 mph for the Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011 and 43 mph for the Zodiac Medline IIC 2012.
The Zodiac Medline IIC 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011 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 Medline IIC 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 17,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Pro Open 850 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.