The Bennington 165SLi 2009 vs Bennington 168 L 2005 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bennington 165SLi 2009 at 16,0 ft versus Bennington 168 L 2005 at 16,0 ft. At 1 491 lbs and 1 405 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 50 hp for the Bennington 165SLi 2009 and 60 hp for the Bennington 168 L 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 168 L 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Bennington 165SLi 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 168 L 2005 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 168 L 2005 comes in at 23 lbs per hp versus 30 lbs per hp for the Bennington 165SLi 2009. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 168 L 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 165SLi 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.