The Bennington 2050 LX 2004 vs Bennington 2050GS 2008 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 2050 LX 2004 measures 19,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 17,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 2050GS 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2050GS 2008 tips the scales at 2 553 lbs — 2 381 lbs less than the Bennington 2050 LX 2004 at 172 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 90 hp, the Bennington 2050 LX 2004 has a 67-hp advantage over the Bennington 2050GS 2008's 23-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 2050GS 2008 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington 2050 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 2050GS 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2050GS 2008 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 2050 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.