The Bennington 1850 FS 2006 vs Bennington 2050 RL 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 2050 RL 2012 measures 22,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 1850 FS 2006 at 18,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2050 RL 2012 tips the scales at 2 553 lbs — 2 366 lbs less than the Bennington 1850 FS 2006 at 187 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 23 hp for the Bennington 1850 FS 2006 and 25 hp for the Bennington 2050 RL 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bennington 1850 FS 2006 carries 26 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Bennington 2050 RL 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 2050 RL 2012 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 1850 FS 2006 caps at 23. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2050 RL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 1850 FS 2006 comes in at 8 lbs per hp versus 102 lbs per hp for the Bennington 2050 RL 2012. 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 1850 FS 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 2050 RL 2012 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 2050 RL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 25 passengers and at 22,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 1850 FS 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 23 that costs less to run day-to-day.