When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Pro 500 2011 and the Zodiac Pro 850 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 850 2011 measures 27,9 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 12,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Pro 500 2011 at 15,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro 850 2011 tips the scales at 2 976 lbs — 2 469 lbs less than the Zodiac Pro 500 2011 at 507 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 850 2011 has a 230-hp advantage over the Zodiac Pro 500 2011's 70-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 Pro 850 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro 500 2011 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro 850 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Pro 850 2011 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 500 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.