When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bennington 185E 2009 and the Bennington 2280RL 2009 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Bennington 2280RL 2009 measures 22,6 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 185E 2009 at 18,6 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2280RL 2009 tips the scales at 2 244 lbs — 335 lbs less than the Bennington 185E 2009 at 1 909 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 — 2 hp for the Bennington 185E 2009 and 2 hp for the Bennington 2280RL 2009. 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.
Both boats are rated for 2 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both are 2-tube and 2-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.
Bottom line: The Bennington 2280RL 2009 at 22,6 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Bennington 185E 2009 at 18,6 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.