When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bennington 17 SLi 2011 and the Bennington 28743RCW I/O 2010 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 28743RCW I/O 2010 measures 30,2 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 12,8 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 28743RCW I/O 2010 tips the scales at 4 262 lbs — 2 771 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 28743RCW I/O 2010 tops out at 320 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 28743RCW I/O 2010 carries 62 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 28743RCW I/O 2010 is rated for 16 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 28743RCW I/O 2010 could be the deciding factor.

Both are 2-tube and 3-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.