The Bennington 165 Si 2005 vs Bennington 24 SSLX 2013 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 SSLX 2013 measures 23,8 feet overall (2013), 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 24 SSLX 2013 tips the scales at 2 724 lbs - 1 349 lbs less than the Bennington 165 Si 2005 at 1 375 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 SSLX 2013 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 20 gal and 21 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 24 SSLX 2013 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 SSLX 2013 could be the deciding factor.