Boat Test: 2024 Zodiac Medline 7.5 GT

Overview

When I was 10 years old, I got a ride in a cool little 13-foot rigid-hull inflatable. RIBs were new at that time, and as spartan as it was, this one hit 45 mph with a 50 hp Mercury outboard. What a blast that little ripper was!

Fifty years later, inflatables are still quirky-cool but more sophisticated than ever. The Zodiac Medline 7.5 GT is a great showcase for the innovative features of ­today’s inflatables. A full 24 feet long with a 9-foot-6-inch beam, this boat touches all the bases when it comes to performance, utility, comfort and ride. Imagine an inflatable waterborne Subaru Forester with a WRX engine for extra scoot, and you have an idea of the fun you can enjoy behind the wheel.

Engine

It’s quick—and fast. It should be; it tips the scales at just over 2,500 pounds and sports 300 Yamaha ponies on the transom. With a 15 ¼-by-19-inch Yamaha Saltwater Series II stainless-steel three-blade wheel, you’d better hold on—the svelte 24-footer just gets with the program, from a dead idle to 30 mph in a cat-quick 4.3 seconds.

At the top end, we tickled 60 mph at 6,000 rpm. As a storm runner, you’ll make it back to port easily. Because most of the water time will likely be spent in the typical cruise range from just on plane to perhaps 4,000 rpm, our most economical cruise speed of 28 mph and 3,000 rpm yielded a frugal 4.5 mpg (at 6.3 gallons per hour). With its 72-gallon capacity, that’s nearly 290 miles of range, leaving 10 percent in reserve. A long weekend of cruising, fishing and watersports towing without ­refilling is not unrealistic.

RIBs, such as the Zodiac Medline 7.5 GT, offer higher speed and ­efficiency compared with similarly powered fiberglass boats due to the lower weight provided by using an inflatable tube or collar. The 213-pound Oceanus 24VST ($113,345 with a Yamaha 250) and Novurania’s 2,750-pound Como 24 ($150,000 with a Yamaha 200) should deliver similar performance.

In many cases, a fast boat that accelerates often gives up ride quality for the speed and punch. Zodiac owners won’t have to worry about that. The deep-V hull cushioned by the side tubes offers a remarkably smooth and stable ride—another RIB trademark—even in heavy boat wakes and 2-foot windblown chop. We ran the 7.5 GT all around Charleston Harbor on a busy day, and as the wind and traffic picked up, we found ourselves marveling at the way the hull sliced through the waves. Turning is just as uneventful. The Medline cuts and banks as it arcs around in tight hard-over turns, giving a clean line with no skipping or hopping. Planing is flat and fast, with very little bow rise. The rigid fiberglass hull features a 22-degree deadrise with multiple lifting strakes for a smooth ride coupled with quick acceleration and the good turn of speed that I experienced.

Interior and Accessories

A unique and innovative feature, the ­perimeter tubing is removable rather than glued on. It’s no quick and easy task, but owners can deflate, detach and store the tubes separately, reducing the needed storage space dramatically. In addition, the removable tubes make repairs, upgrades, color changes and replacements much easier than with competitor boats that have the tubes bonded to the hull. Tubes are available in white, dark military gray, light gray and black.

At the bow, there’s a raised platform for docking or handling the anchor, with an anchor roller built in. Just aft is a large anchor locker, 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 lid supported by gas lifts. Snap-in cushions cover this area, forming a large sun pad. The fit between the end of the foredeck and the front of the console makes this lounge area even bigger.

Amidships, the large console tilts forward to access a huge storage compartment. It’s great for stowing the cushions and the snack table. Hydraulic steering is standard, as is a 9-inch Garmin MFD that integrates GPS and engine data. A standard Fusion audio system with subwoofer rocks your tunes. The leaning post/­captain’s seating allows standing or sitting with its fold-up butt cushions. It also houses stowage. Open its top to reveal a sink with small countertop for food and beverage preparation.

Abaft, the seating area is spacious and U-shaped, making for a handy conversation pit. Upgraded diamond-stitched white upholstery lends a luxurious appearance. EVA-foam decking is applied throughout the cockpit and on the fore and aft decks. Twin extended boarding platforms provide a secure way to climb aboard at the transom. A stainless-steel towing arch makes the Medline even more versatile.

Read Next: Zodiac Medline 5.8

An extended fiberglass arch features a Bimini top that stows by attaching to the arch for a clean look. When deployed, it provides shade for the entire cockpit. Other GT exclusives include underwater lights and special graphics.

As a family cruiser, watersports towboat, sandbar boat and fishing craft, the Medline 7.5 GT provides an interesting alternative to traditional multipurpose craft. The speed, quality construction, fuel economy, ride and utility make it a great choice.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha F300 outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15 1/4″ x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 34 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.

High Points

• The multipurpose helm features multiple seating positions, stowage, and even a sink and countertop.
• Every fixture on the Medline, from the hidden sink under the console top to the numerous cubbies and storage pockets about the deck, opens up to show functionality. 
• Rigging belowdecks is clean and easy to access, a great feature when servicing or upgrading is on the agenda. 

Low Points 

• For a 24-foot boat, room aboard is narrow, due to the tubes on each side. Though the boat is rated to carry up to 16 people, a day on the water with four, maybe six, would be a better fit. 
• The raised boarding step at the bow is tippy as a boarding or standing platform due to its location at the top of the tube.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation