When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 and the Bennington 22 SSL 2013 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 22 SSL 2013 measures 21,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 at 17,4 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 22 SSL 2013 tips the scales at 2 553 lbs — 1 062 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 22 SSL 2013 tops out at 115 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 22 SSL 2013 carries 21 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 22 SSL 2013 is rated for 25 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 22 SSL 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 22 SSL 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 25 passengers and at 21,8 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.