When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Pro 20 Man 2012 and the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 are inflatable rigid designs with fiberglass 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 Pro 20 Man 2012 measures 27,9 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 at 21,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro 20 Man 2012 tips the scales at 2 976 lbs — 1 499 lbs more than the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 at 1 477 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 Pro 20 Man 2012 has a 125-hp advantage over the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011's 175-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 20 Man 2012 carries 106 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011. 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 20 Man 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro 20 Man 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 10 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Pro 20 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 57 mph for the Zodiac Pro 20 Man 2012 and 48 mph for the Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011.
The Zodiac Pro 20 Man 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 650 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 Pro 20 Man 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 27,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Pro Open 650 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.