Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 vs Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 vs Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 2013 measures 20,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 at 15,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 2013 tips the scales at 185 lbs — 131 lbs less than the Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 at 54 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 40 hp, the Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 has a 31-hp advantage over the Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 2013's 9-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage Cruise 820 CR 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 20,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model1500 Explorer SC
ModelMirage Cruise 820 CR
Model Year2005
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.83
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches72
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail540 lbs
Weight - Detail1,850 lbs
Weight - kg244.94
Weight - kg839.15
Weight - lbs.54
Weight - lbs.185
Width [transom] - Detail61 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail32 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.81
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches32
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]LS
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet20.83
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters4.7
Length overall - Meters6.35
Length overall - Inches185
Length overall - Inches25
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.070 Side: 0.060 Rib: 0.07
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max40 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model40ELPT
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Horsepowernot available
HorsepowerMaximum: 9
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,000 lbs
Maximum capacity1,710 lbs
Maximum people4
Maximum people9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in