The Bennington 18 SFX 2013 vs Bennington 227 FSi 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bennington 227 FSi 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 18 SFX 2013 at 18,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 18 SFX 2013 tips the scales at 1 663 lbs — 1 460 lbs more than the Bennington 227 FSi 2005 at 203 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 90 hp, the Bennington 227 FSi 2005 has a 40-hp advantage over the Bennington 18 SFX 2013's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 26 gal and 26 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 227 FSi 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Bennington 18 SFX 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 227 FSi 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 227 FSi 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 18 SFX 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.