Boat Test: 2026 Zodiac Medline 9
The Medline doesn’t give up ride quality for speed and acceleration.
Courtesy Zodiac-Nautic Americas
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Overview
Warn your crew before dropping the throttle. Zodiac’s Medline 9 is a Porsche Panamera for the water. This 29-footer absolutely rips from a dead idle to 30 mph in a cat-quick 4.1 seconds. Plus, we scored it highly in utility and comfort.
A 9-inch Garmin touchscreen multifunction display that integrates GPS and engine data comes standard.
Courtesy Zodiac-Nautic Americas
Engines
It should be quick, fast and nimble, as it weighs just over 4,000 pounds and packs 600 Yamaha horses. We hit 62.4 mph with three passengers aboard, which will satisfy all but the most speed-hungry mariners. Our most economical cruising speed occurred at 31 mph where we recorded 2.3 mpg (13.6 gph). With its 150-gallon tank, that’s over 308 miles of range leaving 10 percent fuel in reserve.
The Medline doesn’t give up ride quality for speed and acceleration. The steep 24-degree transom-deadrise V-hull, plus the added cushion provided by the tubes, offers a super smooth and stable ride; even when we made heavy boat-wake crossings at 30-plus-mph speeds, the Medline landed with a smoosh. Turning is also proved predictable and uneventful; the Medline cuts sharply, banks controllably and arcs around in hard-over turns, laying down with no skipping or sliding.
The bow lockers, when covered with the snap-in padded cushions, form a large sun pad perfect for lounging.
Courtesy Zodiac-Nautic Americas
The Zodiac’s perimeter tubing is mechanically attached (not bonded) so the tubes are removable. That’s unique to Zodiac. While removing and installing them is not a quick task, it’s easy enough so that owners can deflate, detach and store the tubes separately, reducing the needed storage footprint dramatically. In addition, the removable tubes make repairs, upgrades, color changes (white, dark grey, light grey and black) and replacements a simple mechanical job, much easier than competitor boats that have the tubes bonded to the hull.
A built-in grill is optional.
Courtesy Zodiac-Nautic Americas
Interior and Accessories
The Medline’s deck arrangement is customizable at the time of ordering. What’s notable are the twin fore and aft U-lounge setups; both promote sunbathing and gatherings. Each can comfortably seat good-size groups. All cushions in both U-lounge configurations are removable for cleaning and easier access. At the foremost part of the bow, a small, raised platform is stepped up a few inches from the tubes for docking, handling the anchor or simply stepping off to a dock. An anchor roller with a built-in stainless-steel anchor and electric windlass is standard; it’s stored down between the tubes in a large anchor locker, which is hidden by a hinged lid and finished in crisp white gelcoat. Just aft of this locker is a molded self-draining forward storage locker, also covered with a large hinged decklid supported by gas lifts. These two lockers, when covered with the snap-in padded cushions, form a large sun pad perfect for lounging. There’s also a deck extension that fits between the end of the foredeck and the front of the console, making the forward lounge area ever more spacious. A telescoping snack table is optional ($97.50).
The large pilot’s console features sliding doors aft to access a generously sized mini-cabin with a head. If not using it for a quick overnight, or to get out of the weather, it doubles as a huge storage compartment, great for placement of the cushion set and the snack table when not in use.
Hydraulic steering comes standard as does a 9-inch Garmin touchscreen multifunction display that integrates GPS and engine data. The standard Fusion audio system includes a subwoofer. The leaning post/captain’s bolster seats two adults and a smaller person; flip bolsters allow configuing for standing or sitting. It’s also multifaceted, serving as a storage compartment with a hinged top that covers a sink and faucet with a small counter top for food or beverage preparation. A built-in grill is optional.
Abaft, the raised sundeck is spacious and U-shaped.
Courtesy Zodiac-Nautic Americas
Abaft, the raised sundeck is spacious and U-shaped. Upgraded soft-touch white upholstery lends a luxurious appearance and a supple, comfortable feel. EVA soft-padded decking is applied throughout the cockpit and on the fore and aft decks. Out past the beefed-up transom, twin extended boarding platforms provide a secure way to disembark or climb aboard. A stainless-steel towing arch makes the Medline a more versatile and fun boat for watersports.
An extended fiberglass arch houses a Bimini top set that stows away by attaching to the arch for a clean look. When deployed, it provides sun protection for the entire cockpit.
Read Next: Zodiac Medline 7.5 GT
The large pilot’s console features sliding doors aft to access a generously sized mini-cabin with a head.
Courtesy Zodiac-Nautic Americas
Shopping around? AB’s Oceanus 28VST measures similarly (27 feet, 4 inches in length and 10-feet-1-inch wide) with a 2,853-pound dry weight and maximum horsepower rating of 500. It retails for $199,135 with twin Yamaha 250s. Also be sure to check out the Highfield Sport 900. It is 29 feet, 11 inches long, rides an aluminum hull, is rated for either a single 425 hp engine or twin 300s and costs $239,400 with twin 300 hp Mercury outboards.
As a large family cruiser, yacht tender, watersports towboat, sandbar-conversation boat, and fishing craft, the Zodiac Medline 9 is a very appealing and highly functional departure from typical multipurpose craft. The speed, quality construction, fuel economy, ride and utility make it a great choice for boaters seeking to pursue a multitude of activities on the water.
The Medline 9 scores highly in utility and comfort.
Courtesy Zodiac-Nautic Americas
How We Tested
- Engines: Twin Yamaha F300 four-stroke 300 hp outboards
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15″ x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 100 gal. Crew Weight: 750 lb.
- Unique removable tubes allow for easy storage and repair.
- The center console opens to reveal cavernous space for a head and lockable stowage.
- Bow and stern cushioned lounges.
- The bow rail felt unsteady when leaned on.
- Like all RIBs, the cockpit is narrow for length.
Zodiac Medline 9 Certified Test Results
Boating Magazine
Contact Zodiac
Zodiac – Summerville, South Carolina; zodiac-nautic.com/us
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