The Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 vs Bennington 24 SL3 2013 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 24 SL3 2013 at 23,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 24 SL3 2013 tips the scales at 2 724 lbs - 374 lbs less than the Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 at 2 350 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 150 hp, the Bennington 24 SL3 2013 has a 148-hp advantage over the Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004's 2-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 2275 RL I/O 2004 carries 52 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Bennington 24 SL3 2013. 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 SL3 2013 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 24 SL3 2013 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Bennington 24 SL3 2013 comes in at 18 lbs per hp versus 1175 lbs per hp for the Bennington 2275 RL I/O 2004. 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 2275 RL I/O 2004 is an inflatable design - lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 24 SL3 2013 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 24 SL3 2013 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 2275 RL I/O 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.