Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2008 vs Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2008 vs Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006 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 135 hp, the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2008 has a 133-hp advantage over the Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2008 carries 31 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2008 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 Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006 could be the deciding factor.
The Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2008 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2008 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
ModelExplorer 1700 DC
ModelMirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT
Model Year2008
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.31
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches91
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail23 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters58.42
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches23
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail1,100 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg498.95
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.11
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail90 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail35 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches35
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]LS
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches3
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.21
Length overall - Meters7.39
Length overall - Inches205
Length overall - Inches291
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.100 Side: 0.086 Rib: 0.08
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines1
Max no of enginesnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Gal31
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max135 hp
Engine max2 Tubes: 150 hp 3 Tubes: 200 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,350 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people5
Maximum peoplenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter25 in
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge.080 in
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2