The Bennington 207 L 2005 vs Bennington 24 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 24 SLi 2011 measures 23,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 21,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 207 L 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). At 172 lbs and 186 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Bennington 24 SLi 2011 has a 55-hp advantage over the Bennington 207 L 2005's 95-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 24 SLi 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Bennington 207 L 2005 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 24 SLi 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 24 SLi 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 207 L 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.