Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 vs Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 vs Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2009 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 — 125 hp for the Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 and 135 hp for the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2009. 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 — 31 gal and 31 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2009 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan 1700 Explorer SC 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2009 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 Explorer SC
ModelExplorer 1700 SC
Model Year2004
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.16
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Inches85
Beam - Inches91
Depth - Detail27 in
Depth - Detail23 in
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Inches27
Depth - Inches23
Weight - Detail1240 lbs
Weight - Detail1,130 lbs
Weight - kg562.45
Weight - kg512.56
Weight - lbs.124
Weight - lbs.113
Width [transom] - Detail83 in
Width [transom] - Detail90 in
Height - Detail39 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.99
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches39
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]LS
Height [transom]LS
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Meters5.21
Length overall - Inches21
Length overall - Inches205
Length - Feetnot available
Length - Feet17
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 Side: 0.086 Rib: 0.1
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 Side: 0.086 Rib: 0.08
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Engine max125 hp
Engine max135 hp
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines1
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1560 lbs
Maximum capacity1,350 lbs
Maximum people7
Maximum people5