Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan 1700 Avenger DC 2004 vs Sylvan 8520 Mirage Cruise 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan 1700 Avenger DC 2004 vs Sylvan 8520 Mirage Cruise 2005 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 135 hp, the Sylvan 1700 Avenger DC 2004 has a 60-hp advantage over the Sylvan 8520 Mirage Cruise 2005's 75-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sylvan 1700 Avenger DC 2004 carries 31 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Sylvan 8520 Mirage Cruise 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sylvan 8520 Mirage Cruise 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan 1700 Avenger 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 8520 Mirage Cruise 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan 8520 Mirage Cruise 2005 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 1700 Avenger 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
Model1700 Avenger DC
Model8520 Mirage Cruise
Model Year2004
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail23 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inchesnot available
Width [transom] - Detail90 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail31 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.79
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches31
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]LS
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail17 ft
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Inches204
Length overall - Inches243
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,620 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg734.82
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.162
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 Side: 0.086 Rib: 0.1
Hull thicknessnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Engine max135 hp
Engine max75 hp
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge.080 in
Operational Info
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people12