A RIB planned for social days afloat
Zodiac's Medline 9 is an 8.90-metre rigid inflatable boat aimed at groups who want the open-air freedom of a tender-style platform without sacrificing comfortable places to sit. The builder makes the adaptable deck and generous number of passengers central to the model's identity.
The published maximum is 20 persons, an unusually high figure for the length and one that must be understood as a certified capacity under applicable conditions rather than a guarantee of comfort for twenty adults. Actual loading, local regulations and the skipper's judgement still determine how many people should travel.
The hull is 3.06 metres in beam according to Zodiac's current model page. That width gives the designer useful space to arrange seating around the cockpit while retaining access to the water at the stern.
Sunpads and seating arrangements
The Medline 9 uses convertible furniture to turn social seating into lounging surfaces when the boat is at rest. Moving between upright seats and a sunbathing area is a familiar concept, but it is especially useful on a boat whose owners expect to anchor for much of the afternoon.
A well-planned RIB keeps access routes open even when a group is relaxing. People still need a safe way to reach the swim area, find their equipment and return to their seats without stepping over loose bags.
Zodiac's official photography shows the boat in a Mediterranean leisure setting, reflecting the intended day-use programme. Buyers should examine the physical deck on a demonstrator, since photographs cannot show how every possible seating combination affects foot space.
Engine allowance and fuel storage
The manufacturer gives a maximum twin-engine installation of 2 x 350hp and states a 400-litre fuel capacity. These are upper-limit and tank figures, not an assertion that every delivered example uses the largest available engines.
Outboard choice affects noise, trim, fuel demand and the boat's behaviour with passengers concentrated forward or aft. An owner planning to tow water toys one day and cruise a sheltered bay the next should consider the entire usage mix.
Zodiac lists an approximate boat weight of 1,850kg, but a loaded operating weight will be higher once engines, fuel, supplies and people are aboard. Trailer arrangements and berth requirements should therefore use the actual configuration rather than the lightest quoted figure.
Questions before a first season
The Medline 9's strongest argument is versatility: it can work as a large dayboat, a watersports base or a high-capacity shuttle between shore and a nearby anchorage. Each task places different demands on seating, shade and storage.
The practical test is a sea trial in realistic conditions, followed by a quiet inspection of inflation points, tube care, fittings and the engine installation. A RIB's flexible perimeter is useful, but it introduces maintenance requirements that a hard-sided runabout does not share.
Zodiac's published specification provides the baseline for those conversations. Owners should obtain a dealer-approved capacity plate, actual rigging details and the required safety-equipment list before carrying a full party.