Matching a modified vee Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2011 against a pontoon Sylvan Mandalay 8523 RE 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sylvan Mandalay 8523 RE 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2011 at 17,1 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Mandalay 8523 RE 2008 tips the scales at 2 425 lbs — 1 100 lbs less than the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2011 at 1 325 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 140 hp for the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2011 and 150 hp for the Sylvan Mandalay 8523 RE 2008. 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 — 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 Mandalay 8523 RE 2008 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan Mandalay 8523 RE 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mandalay 8523 RE 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan Expedition Sport 1700 DC 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.