The Bennington 2250 RSi 2004 vs Bennington 24 SSL 2012 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 RSi 2004 at 21,0 ft versus Bennington 24 SSL 2012 at 23,8 ft. At 203 lbs and 224 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 24 SSL 2012 has a 60-hp advantage over the Bennington 2250 RSi 2004's 90-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 24 SSL 2012 carries 21 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Bennington 2250 RSi 2004. 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 24 SSL 2012 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 2250 RSi 2004 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 24 SSL 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 24 SSL 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 25 passengers and at 23,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 2250 RSi 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.