Best Zodiac Inflatable Boats 2023 (Reviewed)

Sailing across crystal clear and open waters is a delight for many, but most cannot afford to do so as often as possible because of a lack of a boat of their own. This best explains why inflatable boats have become popular over the years, and Zodiac inflatable boats are among the most popular in-demand boats of the modern era.

Before now, many people could not afford to engage in their sailing delights because they could not afford the exorbitant costs of rigid boats, but all that changed with the invention of rigid inflatable boats.

What Is A Zodiac Inflatable Boat?

Zodiac is a boat manufacturer that majors in the building of inflatable boats of different sizes, with the 5.5ft boat being the smallest in their series. Zodiac uses high-quality materials for boat building, and its hulls have attained legendary status in the market for quality and stability.

Zodiac as a brand has gained widespread popularity, and with 100 years of experience in the industry, one can understand why their boats are highly sought after.

Below, we review some of the best Zodiac Inflatable boats for the money can buy, so feel free to read our review and pick a model that best serves your purpose and one you can afford.

Let’s choose Best Zodiac Inflatable Boat.

1. Zodiac Typhoon 310 Aero Floor 10ft Inflatable Boat

First on our list is the Zodiac Typhoon 310 inflatable boat with an air aero floor. This boat is 10ft long and quite spacious. The pressurized floor is rigid and lighter than many other inflatable boats sold on the market currently. This is why everyone on board can sit, stand or walk comfortably without tripping or falling over due to uneven balance.`

Zodiac 310 has a high-quality inflatable keel. This structure offers maximum stability even when the dinghy is moving on water, and it also allows the driver to control it superbly across the water. This is one of the best models in the Typhoon series, and it represents value for money.

The build materials are all of high quality and are built to last. Furthermore, Zodiac 310 inflatable dinghy is quite spacious and has sufficient leg room for everyone to sit comfortably during a trip out in the open waters. An investment in this dinghy is indeed money well spent.

Pros

• Compact design
• Easy to set up and disassemble
• Quality inflation valve

Cons

• Not sold with extra accessories

2. Zodiac Typhoon 470 15.4ft inflatable Boat

Second, on our list is the Zodiac inflatable 470 boat with an aluminum floor. If you desire a boat that can accommodate a significant number of passengers per trip, this is one option for you. There are so many advantages to enjoy with this dinghy if we are honest.

For starters, it’s an incredibly fast boat when equipped with a powerful motor. Secondly, it is compact, so storing it in your garage or any location of your choice should not be a problem since it will not occupy too much space. Furthermore, the compact size makes transportation easier. This boat can be placed in your car trunk in deflated form using the carry bag.

In addition, Zodiac 470 Typhoon has good buoyancy that allows it to carry up to 6 passengers and cargo all aboard. Due to the central design of your buoyancy, this helps it achieve balance when it is carrying weight aboard.

For what it is worth, Zodiac 470 is a worthy dinghy for non-commercial activities. You can use it for different purposes because of its versatile features. It is another Zodiac boat we readily recommend.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy to store
• Maximum weight capacity
• Fast boat

Cons

• Expensive
• An extra seat has to be purchased

3. Zodiac 350 ALU Cadet 11.6ft Inflatable Boat

Here we have the Zodiac Cadet 350AL ALU boat. This 11.6ft boat is quite long, but amazingly, it is an economic choice for boaters who want an affordable boat that will stand the test of time. Zodiac 350 ALU is manufactured under the Zodiac banner in China but ships to the US, Europe, and many other countries of the world.

It has aluminum floors and an inflatable keel like other Zodiac inflatables. The floor is made with premium aluminum that can handle the maximum weight of all aboard. The floor does not cave under the weight but is built to last. So much so that the tunes inside the chambers beneath the deck are well protected. Furthermore, the floor is lightweight and doesn’t increase the overall weight of the boat significantly.

As for the keel, it offers stability and smooth navigation. This boat can carry up to 6 passengers and a maximum payload of 1433lbs which is quite impressive. With a maximum horsepower engine of 20hp, you can sail away into the distance in relative speed.

Pros

• Affordable
• Quality construction
• Versatile features
• Long term value

Cons

• Reaching the maximum weight will reduce speed significantly

4. Zodiac MK2 Heritage Boat

Would you want something bare and open, not the other fancy options on this list? We implore you to consider Zodiac MK2 open inflatable watercraft without a dodger or dash. What makes this model a worthy option is that it gives the owner the flexibility to redesign the deck to suit their taste. Rather than use a finished vessel with no room for alterations, the open and bare features offer you the opportunity to make adjustments to the overall design.

This means you can turn this boat into a cruise dinghy or the perfect boat for angling. Having the opportunity to remake an inflatable dinghy in your own image is not an opportunity that comes every day, so you may want to go for the MK2 if you have design ideas in mind.

Let’s also mention that you can use an engine of up to 40hp to power it with strong buoyancy to handle the weight on board.

Pros

• Perfect DIY boat
• Flexible design
• Compact

Cons

• Alteration materials are sold separately

5. Zodiac Cadet Aluminum UL 360 Inflatable Boat

Fifth on our list is the Zodiac Cadet UL 360 with an aluminum floor. This boat can best be described as a beach dinghy because it is perfect for cruising. The sleek design is exceptional, with an integrated keel protector to protect the keel from the harsh environment common in lakes and rivers.

The UL 360 is lightweight and can travel fast across water, especially if it carries minimal weight. Boasting a length of 11ft and a 6 passengers capacity, this is the perfect cruising vessel to take your family and friends on a cruise so they can enjoy the wonders of nature.

Zodiac UL 360 dinghy has an anti-slip deck and a durable transom plate to protect the motor engine from harsh conditions. Finally, the fabric used is thick Strongan tube fabric synonymous with Zodiac. This fabric is wear and tear-resistant, and it protects the inner chambers from puncturing.

Pros

• Coated hulls
• Welded Seams
• Easy to inflate and deflate
• Quality fabric

Cons

• A little tricky to make wide turns
• Sold with a foot Pump, not an automatic pump

6. Zodiac Cadet 270 Aero Inflatable Boat

Next on our list is Zodiac 270 Aero boat. This is another cruising option but is of a smaller size than the UL 360. The 270 Aero is 8.10ft long, but it can still carry a significant number of passengers and cargo. When deflated, it is compact and will shrink into size to fit into a tight space like a car trunk. But there is more to this dinghy than its compactness.

The 270 Aero has an air floor system that is stable. It is easy to set up in 39 minutes or less, and its ruggedness makes it the perfect vessel for regions with strong currents and rough water. With a maximum weight capacity of 926 lbs and 4 passengers, there is enough room to carry extra gear for your trip. The 5-inch beam, 8.5 PSI floor pressure, and 3.5 PSI keel pressure are the perfect balance for the ultimate water adventure.

The Cadet compact sizes allow you to navigate tight areas that larger vessels cannot venture into.

Pros

• Portable
• Easy to steer
• Affordable

Cons

• Limited horsepower

7. Zodiac Cadet 230 Aero Boat

Second, the last inflate boat on our list is Zodiac 230 Aero Boat. This one is easy to unroll, inflate and navigate, even if you have limited experience sailing an inflatable boat. Unlike other versions with aluminum floors, Aero 230 has an air floor. This design makes it an incredibly lightweight vessel when it is inflated or deflated.

Getting it into water should not be a problem, and on board is a special storage space to store your gear. Cadet 230 is 7.7ft long with a maximum payload of 662 lbs and 3 passengers. The seat arrangements are another thing worthy of commendation because they are arranged in such a way as to provide sufficient leg room for the passenger when seated.

This inflatable dinghy can operate as a small yacht to provide passengers with all the pleasures that a small vessel can offer.

Pros

• Quality floor
• Easy to transport
• East set up

Cons

• Limited engine horsepower

8. Zodiac MilPRO Inflatable Boat

The last but not least inflatable boat we want to review is the Milpro. This model is one of the oldest zodiac inflatables ever made, and it still holds sentimental value for the oldies. Having passed through different evolutionary designs, the Milpro of today may look significantly different from the earlier versions, but they are better than before due to modern innovation.

Milpro has a unique design feature with a full equipment definition that only a few other boats can boast of. It can carry a maximum of 6 passengers with a maximum payload of 2082 lbs. The manufacturer designed it to work well even on icy waters where other vessels will falter. The buoyancy quality offer superior traction and an overall length of 13.9ft

We rate this model highly for many reasons. There is an abundance of space on the deck; the usable floor area is about 22.26 square feet, with an inside length of 8.10ft. The 3 airtight compartments housing the tubes are also well fitted, while the 20inches long shaft is suited for a 50 HP engine. Milpro is built with long-lasting Hypalon fabric that will last

Pros

• Airtight compartment
• Maximum buoyancy
• Accessories included
• Durable fabric

Cons

• Pricey

How To Choose The Right Zodiac Boat For You

Zodiac has a long list of vessels in their Typhoon, MK2, and Cadet series, just to mention a few, so making a choice can be a little tricky if you didn’t have a particular boat in mind before you started your search. There are certain things you need to look out for when selecting an inflatable boat, and we discuss some of them below

Purpose

What do you want to use the boat for? Will you sue it for angling, cruising, dive and rescue, surfing, or a combination of all three? Your purpose should guide your choice. Some models like the UL 360 are best suited for cruising more than anything else.

Knowing why you want the boat will help you make the right decision. If you want a flexible design that you can refit with all the features you need, you should opt for the MK2 Heritage. If you want a large size cruise yacht that can accommodate a significant number of people, the UL 360 will suffice. Just take your time to get the one that will serve your purpose.

Capacity

How many people would you want on board? Some models can carry 3 passengers while others can carry up to 7-10 passengers. The larger the deck, the more it can carry. If capacity matters to you, bear in mind that you need a corresponding motor to pull the weight. Furthermore, the larger the boat, the higher the price.

Budget

Lastly is the budget. Inflatable boats are quite expensive for their size, so you want to ensure that the one you buy is the best inflatable boat that will serve you for years. Fortunately, all Zodiac boats are quality boats but are priced differently. So when making your selection, factor in your needs and don’t make a final decision based on price alone.