The Bennington 185 S 2005 vs Bennington 205 GL 2006 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 185 S 2005 measures 18,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 205 GL 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 205 GL 2006 tips the scales at 1 965 lbs — 1 801 lbs less than the Bennington 185 S 2005 at 164 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 185 S 2005 has a 52-hp advantage over the Bennington 205 GL 2006's 23-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 205 GL 2006 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington 185 S 2005 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 205 GL 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 185 S 2005 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 85 lbs per hp for the Bennington 205 GL 2006. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Bennington 205 GL 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 185 S 2005 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 205 GL 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 23 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 185 S 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.