When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 and the Zodiac N-ZO 680 2013 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 N-ZO 600 2013 at 19,7 ft versus Zodiac N-ZO 680 2013 at 22,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac N-ZO 680 2013 tips the scales at 2 381 lbs — 2 176 lbs less than the Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 at 205 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 200 hp, the Zodiac N-ZO 680 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013's 150-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 N-ZO 680 2013 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac N-ZO 680 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Zodiac N-ZO 680 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.

Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly.