Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 vs Sylvan Mirage Sport 8522 RE 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005 vs Sylvan Mirage Sport 8522 RE 2007 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 Sport 8522 RE 2007 measures 22,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 7,0 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 Sport 8522 RE 2007 tips the scales at 215 lbs — 161 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 125 hp, the Sylvan Mirage Sport 8522 RE 2007 has a 85-hp advantage over the Sylvan 1500 Explorer SC 2005's 40-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 Sport 8522 RE 2007 is rated for 14 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 Sport 8522 RE 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage Sport 8522 RE 2007 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 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 Sport 8522 RE
Model Year2005
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters1.83
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches72
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail540 lbs
Weight - Detail2,150 lbs
Weight - kg244.94
Weight - kg975.22
Weight - lbs.54
Weight - lbs.215
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 - Feet22
Length - Inches5
Length - Inches3
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters4.7
Length overall - Meters6.78
Length overall - Inches185
Length overall - Inches267
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 max125 hp Tri Toon (Max): 150 hp
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines1
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,000 lbs
Maximum capacity2,200 lbs
Maximum people4
Maximum people14
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2