When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin 2013 and the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin 2013 measures 22,9 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 at 17,1 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin 2013 tips the scales at 3 283 lbs — 2 589 lbs more than the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 at 694 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 300 hp, the Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin 2013 has a 210-hp advantage over the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 12 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 Pro Touring 550 2013 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin 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 Pro Touring 550 2013 has a documented top speed of 42 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
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. Tube diameter differs: 2 ft. 2 in. (0.65 m) on the Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin 2013 vs 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) on the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.
Bottom line: The Zodiac N-ZO 700 Cabin 2013 at 22,9 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 at 17,1 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.