Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012 against a deep vee Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 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 Pro 12 Man 2012 at 17,2 ft versus Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 at 18,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012 tips the scales at 695 lbs — 598 lbs more than the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 at 97 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 120 hp, the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 has a 30-hp advantage over the Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012'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 Pro 12 Man 2012 carries 20 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013. 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 Pro 12 Man 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012. 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 45 mph for the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 and 42 mph for the Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012.
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: 1 ft. 8 in. (0.5 m) on the Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012 vs 1 ft. 10 in. (0.57 m) on the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Pro 12 Man 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 17,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.