The Bennington 2250 GS 2006 vs Bennington RL 211 I/O 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Bennington 2250 GS 2006 at 20,0 ft versus Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 at 22,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 tips the scales at 3 900 lbs - 1 720 lbs less than the Bennington 2250 GS 2006 at 2 180 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 320 hp, the Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 has a 297-hp advantage over the Bennington 2250 GS 2006's 23-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 carries 50 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Bennington 2250 GS 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 2250 GS 2006 is rated for 23 passengers, while the Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2250 GS 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 comes in at 12 lbs per hp versus 95 lbs per hp for the Bennington 2250 GS 2006. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
The Bennington 2250 GS 2006 is an inflatable design - lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2250 GS 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 23 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington RL 211 I/O 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.