Matching a modified vee Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 against a inflatable rigid Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012 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 Yachtline 420 2013 at 13,8 ft versus Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012 at 11,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 tips the scales at 602 lbs — 177 lbs more than the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012 at 426 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 — 50 hp for the Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 and 40 hp for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012. 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Zodiac Yachtline 420 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 37 mph for the Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 and 30 mph for the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012.
Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly. Tube diameter differs: 1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 m) on the Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 vs 1 ft. 6 in. (0.455 m) on the Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012 — larger tubes generally mean more buoyancy and a drier, more stable ride.
Bottom line: Choose the Zodiac Yachtline 420 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 13,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Zodiac Yachtline Deluxe 340 DL 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.