When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bennington 1875FSi 2009 and the Bennington 20SLi 2010 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Bennington 1875FSi 2009 at 18,0 ft versus Bennington 20SLi 2010 at 19,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 1875FSi 2009 tips the scales at 1 909 lbs — 298 lbs more than the Bennington 20SLi 2010 at 1 611 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 60 hp, the Bennington 1875FSi 2009 has a 37-hp advantage over the Bennington 20SLi 2010's 23-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
Both boats are rated for 23 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.
One place where both boats are genuinely identical is tube construction: both run 2 aluminum tubes at 23" diameter. That shared spec means stability and buoyancy characteristics are closely matched — the ride difference you'll feel between them comes primarily from deck length, weight distribution, and motor choice.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Bennington 1875FSi 2009 and its 60-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Bennington 20SLi 2010 with its 23-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.