ZODIAC makes recreational RIBs in sizes from 2.5 Metres (8’2”) to 8.5 metres (27’11”) for use as boats and yacht tenders. Their Pro Open series are designed to be used as primary boats, and they come with a range of options to suit the family boater and the sports fisherman. The ZODIAC Pro Open 650 is 21’ can be rigged with twin or a single outboard. The deep vee hull has a self draining cockpit, non skid deck finish and a bow locker with a separate anchor locker and a removable storage bin. The console, with windscreen, room for chart plotter, other electronic navigational instruments, engine gauges and equipped with grab rails is set to starboard, the helmsman has an upholstered double bolster and there is a cushioned stern seat with space for a cooler below. The optional tee top adds another 4 fishing rod holders to the existing holders, and other options include ski and tow pylon, front hand rails and a backrest bolster for the aft seating. For a 21’boat, the interior beam of the boat seems narrow, but this is set off by the seating on the inflated tube and the extra room around the console on the port side. With a single 150HP YAMAHA, the boat starts to plane around 15 mph or depending on the number of people aboard. With 120 litres of fuel, has the range to go places and its seaworthiness means it can go for short offshore passages such as making the trip from Nova Scotia across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island in settled conditions.
Not only does the Pro Open 650 feel good to ride in, it looks good too. The designers at ZODIAC have a great eye for proportion and whether the boat is tied to the dock or going at its maximum speed of 51 mph, it looks and feels like a purposeful, really enjoyable ride.

Vital Statistics of vessel reviewed ZODIAC Pro Open 650 with optional tee top

Model Year 2011
LOA:  6.50M 21’4”
Inside Length: 4.95M 16’3”
Beam:  2.5M 8’2”
Inside Beam: 1.35M 4’5”
Diameter of Inflated Tubes 0.57M 1’10”
Weight (dry, no engine):  670KG 1477lbs
Deadrise:  24°
Persons Capacity:  5 (For ISO Class B)*
Maximum Payload 1075 KG 2370lbs (For ISO Class B)*
Minimum Horsepower: 115HP
Maximum Horsepower:  175HP
Fuel Capacity:  120 litres, 31.7 US gallons