The Bennington 17SLi 2010 vs Bennington 1850 LX 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 17SLi 2010 at 17,3 ft versus Bennington 1850 LX 2005 at 18,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 17SLi 2010 tips the scales at 1 491 lbs — 1 327 lbs more than the Bennington 1850 LX 2005 at 164 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 75 hp, the Bennington 1850 LX 2005 has a 25-hp advantage over the Bennington 17SLi 2010's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 1850 LX 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Bennington 17SLi 2010 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 1850 LX 2005 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 1850 LX 2005 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 30 lbs per hp for the Bennington 17SLi 2010. 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 1850 LX 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 17SLi 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.