Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 vs Bennington RL 262 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 or the Bennington RL 262 2005?

The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 is the longer of the two at 31,1 feet overall. The Bennington RL 262 2005 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 6,1 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bennington RL 262 2005 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 16 passengers, while the Bennington RL 262 2005 is certified for 16. 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.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 and Bennington RL 262 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 or the Bennington RL 262 2005?

The Bennington RL 262 2005 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 and Bennington RL 262 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 and the Bennington RL 262 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.

Boat Comparison

Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 vs Bennington RL 262 2005

Bennington

Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012

2012

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Bennington

Bennington RL 262 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 vs Bennington RL 262 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 vs Bennington RL 262 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 has a 125-hp advantage over the Bennington RL 262 2005's 300-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 RL 262 2005 carries 66 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 16 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 at 31,1 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Bennington RL 262 2005 at 25,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking - a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeBennington

Model2874 RCW I/O

ModelRL 262

Model Year2012

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Weight - Detail4,262 lbs.

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1933.21

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.4262

Weight - lbs.not available

Length [at waterline]25 ft. 6 in. pontoon length

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [deck]28 ft. 6 in.

Length [deck]not available

Length - Feet31.08

Length - Feet25

Length overall - Detail31 ft. 1 in.

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters9.47

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Inches373

Length overall - Inches306

Deadrisenot available

Deadrise18℃

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]15?

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull materialnot available

Hull typePontoon

Hull typenot available

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter25 in. outside, 32 in. center

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge0.090 in. outside, 0.100 in. center

Tube gaugenot available

Number of tubes3

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail66 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters249.84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal66

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeOutboard

Engine max425 hp

Engine max300 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people16

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity3,100 lbs.

Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 vs Bennington RL 262 2005 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 or the Bennington RL 262 2005?

The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 is the longer of the two at 31,1 feet overall. The Bennington RL 262 2005 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 6,1 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Bennington RL 262 2005 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that - matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 16 passengers, while the Bennington RL 262 2005 is certified for 16. 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 2874 RCW I/O 2012 and Bennington RL 262 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 or the Bennington RL 262 2005?

The Bennington RL 262 2005 has the bigger tank at 66 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012. That 4-gallon difference translates to roughly 12–20 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 and Bennington RL 262 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 and the Bennington RL 262 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.

← Bennington 2874 RCW I/O 2012 full specs ← Bennington RL 262 2005 full specs