The Bennington 180 EL 2004 vs Bennington 24 SSL 2013 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 24 SSL 2013 measures 23,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 180 EL 2004 at 17,0 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 24 SSL 2013 tips the scales at 2 724 lbs — 2 580 lbs less than the Bennington 180 EL 2004 at 144 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 150 hp, the Bennington 24 SSL 2013 has a 100-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 24 SSL 2013 is rated for 25 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 24 SSL 2013 could be the deciding factor.