Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan 1600 Explorer DC 2004 vs Sylvan Adventurer 1700 DC 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan 1600 Explorer DC 2004 vs Sylvan Adventurer 1700 DC 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 140 hp, the Sylvan Adventurer 1700 DC 2011 has a 65-hp advantage over the Sylvan 1600 Explorer DC 2004's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. 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 Adventurer 1700 DC 2011 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Sylvan 1600 Explorer 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 Adventurer 1700 DC 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Adventurer 1700 DC 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 17,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan 1600 Explorer 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
Model1600 Explorer DC
ModelAdventurer 1700 DC
Model Year2004
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches91
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Detail25 in
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inches25
Weight - Detail785 lbs
Weight - Detail1,325 lbs
Weight - kg356.07
Weight - kg601.01
Weight - lbs.785
Weight - lbs.1325
Width [transom] - Detail77 in
Width [transom] - Detail90 in
Height - Detail35 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches35
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]LS
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters5.21
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches205
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17.08
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.080 Side: 0.070 Rib: 0.08
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
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 max75 hp
Engine max140 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardEvinrude E90DPLS
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1275 lbs
Maximum capacity1,425 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum people6
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gaugeBottom: 0.100 in. Side: 0.080 in. Rib: 0.100 in