Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan 1600 Explorer DC 2004 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan 1600 Explorer DC 2004 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 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 115 hp, the Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 has a 40-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 Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 is rated for 12 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 Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 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
ModelMirage Fish 8520 4-Point
Model Year2004
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.08
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches82
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail785 lbs
Weight - Detail1,875 lbs
Weight - kg356.07
Weight - kg850.49
Weight - lbs.785
Weight - lbs.1875
Width [transom] - Detail77 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
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 - Detail20 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters4.93
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Inches194
Length overall - Inches243
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.080 Side: 0.070 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 max75 hp
Engine max115 hp
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines1
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1275 lbs
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs
Maximum people5
Maximum people12
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2