The Bennington 165 Si 2005 vs Bennington 24 SSL 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bennington 24 SSL 2012 measures 23,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 165 Si 2005 at 16,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 165 Si 2005 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 151 lbs more than the Bennington 24 SSL 2012 at 224 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Bennington 24 SSL 2012 has a 100-hp advantage over the Bennington 165 Si 2005's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bennington 24 SSL 2012 carries 21 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Bennington 165 Si 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 24 SSL 2012 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 165 Si 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 24 SSL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 24 SSL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 25 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 165 Si 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.