Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Zodiac Pro 1980 vs Zodiac Zoom 260 Aero 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Zodiac Pro 1980 vs Zodiac Zoom 260 Aero 2013 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 60 hp, the Zodiac Pro 1980 has a 54-hp advantage over the Zodiac Zoom 260 Aero 2013's 6-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 1980 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Zodiac Zoom 260 Aero 2013 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Pro 1980 could be the deciding factor.
The Zodiac Zoom 260 Aero 2013 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Zodiac Pro 1980 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 1980 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 15,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Zoom 260 Aero 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail15.00 ft
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet8.5
Length overall - Meters4.57
Length overall - Meters2.59
Length overall - Inches180
Length overall - Inches102
Beamnot available
Beam5 ft. (1.53 m)
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters1.52
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches6
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail60 lbs. (27 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg27.22
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.6
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail2 ft. 3 in. (0.68 m) inside
Length [deck]not available
Length [deck]5 ft. 5 in. (1.64 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters75.71
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Horsepower60 hp
Horsepower3 - 6 hp recommended
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine maxnot available
Engine max6 hp
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity882 lbs. (400 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people3
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeZodiac
Modelnot available
ModelZoom 260 Aero
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2013
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialInflatable
Hull typenot available
Hull typeInflatable Non Rigid
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter1 ft. 5 in. (0.43 m)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes3 + 1 + 1 airtight compartments