The Bennington 1850 LX 2004 vs Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2011 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 2874 RCW I/O 2011 measures 31,1 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 14,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 1850 LX 2004 at 17,0 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2011 tips the scales at 4 262 lbs — 4 118 lbs less than the Bennington 1850 LX 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 320 hp, the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2011 has a 245-hp advantage over the Bennington 1850 LX 2004's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2011 carries 62 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Bennington 1850 LX 2004. 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 2874 RCW I/O 2011 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Bennington 1850 LX 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 2874 RCW I/O 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 31,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 1850 LX 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.