The Bennington 2074GLi 2010 vs Bennington 2550 RL 2005 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 2550 RL 2005 measures 25,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 23,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 2074GLi 2010 at 2,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2074GLi 2010 tips the scales at 2 194 lbs — 2 172 lbs more than the Bennington 2550 RL 2005 at 22 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 135 hp, the Bennington 2550 RL 2005 has a 112-hp advantage over the Bennington 2074GLi 2010'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 26 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 2074GLi 2010 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington 2550 RL 2005 caps at 17. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2074GLi 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2074GLi 2010 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 2550 RL 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 17 that costs less to run day-to-day.