The Bennington 180 S 2004 vs Bennington 2050RL 2008 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Bennington 180 S 2004 at 17,0 ft versus Bennington 2050RL 2008 at 20,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2050RL 2008 tips the scales at 2 553 lbs - 1 213 lbs less than the Bennington 180 S 2004 at 1 340 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 75 hp, the Bennington 180 S 2004 has a 52-hp advantage over the Bennington 2050RL 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 2050RL 2008 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington 180 S 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 2050RL 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2050RL 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 23 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 180 S 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.