When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bennington 17SLi 2010 and the Bennington 2054GL 2008 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 17SLi 2010 measures 17,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 15,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 2054GL 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2054GL 2008 tips the scales at 2 553 lbs — 1 062 lbs less than the Bennington 17SLi 2010 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 50 hp, the Bennington 17SLi 2010 has a 27-hp advantage over the Bennington 2054GL 2008's 23-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 2054GL 2008 is rated for 23 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 2054GL 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 17SLi 2010 comes in at 30 lbs per hp versus 111 lbs per hp for the Bennington 2054GL 2008. 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.

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.