The Bennington 180 ES 2004 vs Bennington 22 SF 2012 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 22 SF 2012 measures 21,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 180 ES 2004 at 15,0 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 22 SF 2012 tips the scales at 2 100 lbs - 725 lbs less than the Bennington 180 ES 2004 at 1 375 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 115 hp, the Bennington 22 SF 2012 has a 65-hp advantage over the Bennington 180 ES 2004'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 - 20 gal and 21 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 22 SF 2012 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 180 ES 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 22 SF 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 22 SF 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 25 passengers and at 21,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 180 ES 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.