The Bennington 17 SLi 2011 vs Bennington 205 Si 2004 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 17 SLi 2011 at 17,4 ft versus Bennington 205 Si 2004 at 19,0 ft. At 1 491 lbs and 1 550 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.
The Bennington 205 Si 2004 tops out at 75 hp. Engine specs for the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bennington 205 Si 2004 carries 26 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Bennington 17 SLi 2011. 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 205 Si 2004 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 205 Si 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 205 Si 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 13 passengers and at 19,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 17 SLi 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.