When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 and the Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 measures 22,9 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 3,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 at 19,7 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 tips the scales at 333 lbs — 128 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 250 hp, the Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 has a 100-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 600 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Zodiac N-ZO 600 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 N-ZO 690 2010 has a documented top speed of 52 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac N-ZO 600 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 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 N-ZO 600 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 19,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac N-ZO 690 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.