Matching a deep vee Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 2011 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 2013 at 18,1 ft versus Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 2011 at 17,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 2011 tips the scales at 882 lbs — 785 lbs less 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 120 hp for the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 and 115 hp for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 2011 carries 32 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 Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 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 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 8 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 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 45 mph for the Zodiac Pro Open 550 2013 and 44 mph for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 2011.
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 Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 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 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 Yachtline Deluxe 530 DL 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.