Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 boat specs
Sylvan
Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006
2006
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VS
Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 boat specs
Sylvan
Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012
2012
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Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 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 90 hp, the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006's 40-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 Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 20,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeSylvan
MakeSylvan
ModelExplorer 1500 SC
ModelMirage Fish 820 4-PT
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam72 in
Beam96 in
Beam - Meters1.83
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches72
Beam - Inches96
Depth - Detail21 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters53.34
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches21
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail560 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg254.01
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.56
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail61 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail32 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.81
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches32
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet15
Length - Feet20.83
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail15 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in
Length overall - Meters4.7
Length overall - Meters6.35
Length overall - Inches185
Length overall - Inches25
Body / Hull
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.070 Side: 0.060 Rib: 0.07
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max40 hp
Engine max90 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model40 ELPT EFI
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,000 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people4
Maximum peoplenot available

Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 or the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012?
The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 is the longer of the two at 20,8 feet overall. The Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 comes in at 15,0 feet, making it roughly 5,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 tops out at 40 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 is certified for 6. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 measures 96" wide, compared to 72" for the Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 and Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sylvan Explorer 1500 SC 2006 and the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 are built by Sylvan. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.