Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 vs Sylvan 818 Mirage Fish SD 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 vs Sylvan 818 Mirage Fish SD 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 125 hp, the Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 has a 75-hp advantage over the Sylvan 818 Mirage Fish SD 2005's 50-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 818 Mirage Fish SD 2005 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan 818 Mirage Fish SD 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan 818 Mirage Fish SD 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model1700 Explorer SC
Model818 Mirage Fish SD
Model Year2004
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches85
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail27 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches27
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1240 lbs
Weight - Detail1,340 lbs
Weight - kg562.45
Weight - kg607.81
Weight - lbs.124
Weight - lbs.134
Width [transom] - Detail83 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail39 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.99
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches39
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]LS
Height [transom]not available
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Meters5.56
Length overall - Inches21
Length overall - Inches219
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet18
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 - DetailOPT
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Engine max125 hp
Engine max50 hp
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1560 lbs
Maximum capacity1,750 lbs
Maximum people7
Maximum people9
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter23 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge.080 in