When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2007 and the Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2012 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2007 at 17,0 ft versus Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2012 at 16,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2007 tips the scales at 122 lbs — 113 lbs more than the Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2012 at 9 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 135 hp, the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2007 has a 60-hp advantage over the Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2012'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.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2012 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2007. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.