Matching a inflatable rigid Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 against a deep vee Zodiac Pro Racing 500 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 Open 550 2008 at 18,0 ft versus Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013 at 15,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013 tips the scales at 507 lbs — 410 lbs less than the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 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 2008 has a 50-hp advantage over the Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013'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 Open 550 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013 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 Open 550 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 7 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013. 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 2008 and 41 mph for the Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013.
The Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Pro Open 550 2008 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 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Pro Racing 500 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.