The Bennington 2075RLi 2009 vs Bennington 257 FS 2004 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 257 FS 2004 measures 24,0 feet overall (2004), giving it roughly 22,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Bennington 2075RLi 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2075RLi 2009 tips the scales at 2 553 lbs — 2 341 lbs more than the Bennington 257 FS 2004 at 212 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 125 hp, the Bennington 257 FS 2004 has a 102-hp advantage over the Bennington 2075RLi 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 2075RLi 2009 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington 257 FS 2004 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2075RLi 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2075RLi 2009 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 257 FS 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.