The Bennington 205 E 2007 vs Bennington 22 SLi 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 22 SLi 2011 measures 21,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 19,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 205 E 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 205 E 2007 tips the scales at 2 194 lbs — 2 018 lbs more than the Bennington 22 SLi 2011 at 176 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 115 hp, the Bennington 22 SLi 2011 has a 92-hp advantage over the Bennington 205 E 2007's 23-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 26 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 205 E 2007 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington 22 SLi 2011 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 205 E 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 22 SLi 2011 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 95 lbs per hp for the Bennington 205 E 2007. 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 205 E 2007 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 22 SLi 2011 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 205 E 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 23 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 22 SLi 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.