When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 and the Bennington 2050SFS 2009 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bennington 17 SLi 2011 measures 17,4 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 15,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 2050SFS 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2050SFS 2009 tips the scales at 2 067 lbs — 576 lbs less than the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 at 1 491 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 Bennington 2050SFS 2009 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 17 SLi 2011 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Bennington 2050SFS 2009 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Both are 2-tube and 23-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 5 passengers and at 17,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 2050SFS 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.