Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac Pro 850 2010 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac Pro 850 2010 measures 27,9 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 9,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 at 18,1 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro 850 2010 tips the scales at 2 976 lbs — 2 879 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 300 hp, the Zodiac Pro 850 2010 has a 180-hp advantage over the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013's 120-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 850 2010 carries 106 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 Open 550 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro 850 2010 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 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 10 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Pro 850 2010. 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 850 2010 and 45 mph for the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013.
The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Pro 850 2010 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 Open 550 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 18,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Pro 850 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.