The Bennington 1650 GLi 2006 vs Bennington 2550 QCL 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 2550 QCL 2012 measures 27,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 11,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 1650 GLi 2006 at 16,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 1650 GLi 2006 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 073 lbs more than the Bennington 2550 QCL 2012 at 302 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 50 hp, the Bennington 1650 GLi 2006 has a 25-hp advantage over the Bennington 2550 QCL 2012's 25-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 1650 GLi 2006 carries 15 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Bennington 2550 QCL 2012. 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 2550 QCL 2012 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 1650 GLi 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 2550 QCL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 2550 QCL 2012 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 28 lbs per hp for the Bennington 1650 GLi 2006. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Bennington 1650 GLi 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 2550 QCL 2012 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 2550 QCL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 25 passengers and at 27,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 1650 GLi 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.