Matching a modified vee Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2011 against a pontoon Sylvan Mirage Fish 818 2013 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2011 at 16,2 ft versus Sylvan Mirage Fish 818 2013 at 18,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Mirage Fish 818 2013 tips the scales at 155 lbs — 146 lbs less than the Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2011 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 75 hp, the Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2011 has a 70-hp advantage over the Sylvan Mirage Fish 818 2013's 5-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 818 2013 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan Mirage Fish 818 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage Fish 818 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 18,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan Explorer 1600 DC 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.