Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 boat specs
Sylvan
Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004
2004
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VS
Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 boat specs
Sylvan
Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011
2011
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Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 vs Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 vs Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 and 90 hp for the Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 24 gal and 24 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 20,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeSylvan
MakeSylvan
Model1600 Expedition DC
ModelMirage 820 C
Model Year2004
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90 in
Beam96 in
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail25 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches25
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail750 lbs
Weight - Detail1,850 lbs
Weight - kg340.19
Weight - kg839.15
Weight - lbs.75
Weight - lbs.185
Width [transom] - Detail87 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail34 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.86
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches34
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]LS
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters4.9
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Inches193
Length overall - Inches243
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet20.25
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.080 Side: 0.076 Rib: 0.08
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Engine max90 hp
Engine max90 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1300 lbs
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum people12
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in

Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 vs Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 or the Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011?
For trailering, the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 has the edge at 75 lbs dry weight versus 185 lbs for the Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 is certified for 12. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 measures 96" wide, compared to 9" for the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 and Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 24 gallons and 24 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 and Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sylvan 1600 Expedition DC 2004 and the Sylvan Mirage 820 C 2011 are built by Sylvan. 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.