The Bennington 2250 RL 2005 vs Bennington 2575 RLTD 2006 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 RL 2005 at 22,0 ft versus Bennington 2575 RLTD 2006 at 25,0 ft. At 189 lbs and 262 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 115 hp, the Bennington 2250 RL 2005 has a 113-hp advantage over the Bennington 2575 RLTD 2006's 2-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 2575 RLTD 2006 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Bennington 2250 RL 2005 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2575 RLTD 2006 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 2250 RL 2005 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 131 lbs per hp for the Bennington 2575 RLTD 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 2575 RLTD 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 2250 RL 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 2575 RLTD 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 2250 RL 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.