The Bennington 2275FSi 2010 vs Bennington 2550 RL 2004 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 2275FSi 2010 at 24,2 ft versus Bennington 2550 RL 2004 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Bennington 2275FSi 2010 tips the scales at 2 799 lbs — 2 777 lbs more than the Bennington 2550 RL 2004 at 22 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 135 hp, the Bennington 2550 RL 2004 has a 110-hp advantage over the Bennington 2275FSi 2010's 25-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 2275FSi 2010 carries 31 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Bennington 2550 RL 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 2275FSi 2010 is rated for 25 passengers, while the Bennington 2550 RL 2004 caps at 17. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2275FSi 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bennington 2275FSi 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 25 passengers and at 24,2 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 2550 RL 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 17 that costs less to run day-to-day.