The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 vs Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 measures 17,1 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 16,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006 at 1,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 tips the scales at 694 lbs — 601 lbs more than the Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006 at 93 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 90 hp, the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 has a 82-hp advantage over the Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006's 8-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 Touring 550 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006. 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.
The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 has a documented top speed of 42 mph. Speed data wasn't available for the other model.
The Zodiac Pro Touring 550 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006 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 Touring 550 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 17,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Zoom 310 SR 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.