When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Zodiac Pro 650 2011 and the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 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 650 2011 measures 20,7 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 at 15,4 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro 650 2011 tips the scales at 1 257 lbs — 1 171 lbs more than the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 at 86 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 150 hp, the Zodiac Pro 650 2011 has a 60-hp advantage over the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 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 650 2011 carries 48 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012. 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 Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro 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 Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Pro 650 2011. 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 53 mph for the Zodiac Pro 650 2011 and 42 mph for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012.
The Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Pro 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 Yachtline Deluxe 470 DL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 15,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Pro 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.