Bennington 1850SF 2009 vs Bennington RL 262 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Bennington 1850SF 2009 or the Bennington RL 262 2005?

The Bennington RL 262 2005 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Bennington 1850SF 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bennington RL 262 2005 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bennington 1850SF 2009 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bennington 1850SF 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington RL 262 2005 is certified for 16. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bennington 1850SF 2009 and Bennington RL 262 2005 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Bennington 1850SF 2009 and Bennington RL 262 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bennington 1850SF 2009 and the Bennington RL 262 2005 are built by Bennington. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Bennington 1850SF 2009 vs Bennington RL 262 2005

Bennington

Bennington 1850SF 2009

2009

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Bennington

Bennington RL 262 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bennington 1850SF 2009 vs Bennington RL 262 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bennington 1850SF 2009 vs Bennington RL 262 2005 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Bennington RL 262 2005 has a 240-hp advantage over the Bennington 1850SF 2009's 60-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 1850SF 2009 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington RL 262 2005 caps at 16. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 1850SF 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 1850SF 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 23 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington RL 262 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 16 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeBennington

Model1850SF

ModelRL 262

Model Year2009

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - DetailWith 23 in. Tubes: 1,536 lbs. With 25 in. Tubes: 1,611 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg730.74

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.1611

Weight - lbs.not available

Length [deck]17 ft. 11 in

Length [deck]not available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet25

Length - Inches6

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters5.64

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Inches222

Length overall - Inches306

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise18℃

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]15?

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter23 or 25 in

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge0.08 in

Tube gaugenot available

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max60 hp

Engine max300 hp

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail66 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Operational Info

Maximum capacityWith 23 in. Tubes: 1,095 lbs. With 25 in. Tubes: 1,365 lbs

Maximum capacity3,100 lbs

Maximum peopleWith 23 in. Tubes: 8 With 25 in. Tubes: 1

Maximum people16

Bennington 1850SF 2009 vs Bennington RL 262 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bennington 1850SF 2009 or the Bennington RL 262 2005?

The Bennington RL 262 2005 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Bennington 1850SF 2009 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bennington RL 262 2005 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bennington 1850SF 2009 tops out at 60 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Bennington 1850SF 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington RL 262 2005 is certified for 16. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bennington 1850SF 2009 and Bennington RL 262 2005 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Bennington 1850SF 2009 and Bennington RL 262 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Bennington 1850SF 2009 and the Bennington RL 262 2005 are built by Bennington. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Bennington 1850SF 2009 full specs ← Bennington RL 262 2005 full specs