The Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 vs Bennington 2275 RLIO 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 2275 RL I/O 2004 at 21,0 ft versus Bennington 2275 RLIO 2006 at 22,0 ft. At 235 lbs and 328 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 Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 carries a rated maximum of 2 hp. Engine data for the Bennington 2275 RLIO 2006 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 carries 52 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Bennington 2275 RLIO 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 2275 RL I/O 2004 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Bennington 2275 RLIO 2006 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Both are inflatable designs, which means they pack down for compact storage, can be carried in a bag, and are dramatically lighter than equivalent rigid hulls. The trade-off is setup time and the need to monitor tube pressure regularly.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 2275 RLIO 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.