Bennington 2280 RL 2006 boat specs
Bennington
Bennington 2280 RL 2006
2006
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VS
Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 boat specs
Bennington
Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005
2005
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Bennington 2280 RL 2006 vs Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bennington 2280 RL 2006 vs Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 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.

The Bennington 2280 RL 2006 carries a rated maximum of 175 hp. Engine data for the Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bennington 2280 RL 2006 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bennington 2280 RL 2006 could be the deciding factor.

The Bennington 2280 RL 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Bennington 2875 RL I/O 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 2280 RL 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBennington
MakeBennington
Model2280 RL
Model2875 RL I/O
Model Year2006
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail2,335 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1059.14
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2335
Weight - lbs.not available
Length [deck]21 ft. 11 in
Length [deck]27 ft. 11 in
Length - Feet22
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches264
Length overall - Inches336
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Tube gauge.080 in
Tube gauge.090 in
Number of tubes2 or 3
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. w/remote fill
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max175 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people14
Maximum peoplenot available

Bennington 2280 RL 2006 vs Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Bennington 2280 RL 2006 or the Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005?
The Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Bennington 2280 RL 2006 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Bennington 2280 RL 2006 has a documented max rating of 175 hp. Engine specifications for the Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Bennington 2280 RL 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Bennington 2280 RL 2006 and Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Are the Bennington 2280 RL 2006 and Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Bennington 2280 RL 2006 and the Bennington 2875 RL I/O 2005 are built by Bennington. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.