When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Bennington 2074GLi 2009 and the Bennington 2250 GL Classic 2012 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 2250 GL Classic 2012 measures 23,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 21,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 2074GLi 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). At 2 553 lbs and 2 505 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 2250 GL Classic 2012 has a 127-hp advantage over the Bennington 2074GLi 2009'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 2250 GL Classic 2012 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 2074GLi 2009 caps at 23. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2250 GL Classic 2012 could be the deciding factor.