The Bennington 180 EL 2004 vs Bennington 2250 RFS 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 2250 RFS 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 180 EL 2004 at 17,0 feet (2004). At 144 lbs and 189 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Bennington 2250 RFS 2005 has a 65-hp advantage over the Bennington 180 EL 2004'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 2250 RFS 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Bennington 180 EL 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2250 RFS 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2250 RFS 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 180 EL 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.