The Bennington 1650 FSi 2006 vs Bennington 24 RTSB 2022 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bennington 24 RTSB 2022 has a 250-hp advantage over the Bennington 1650 FSi 2006's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 24 RTSB 2022 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bennington 1650 FSi 2006 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 RTSB 2022 could be the deciding factor.
The Bennington 1650 FSi 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 24 RTSB 2022 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 24 RTSB 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 1650 FSi 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.