Matching a modified vee Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 against a pontoon Sylvan Mirage 8520 C 2007 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 Explorer 1700 DC 2010 measures 17,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan Mirage 8520 C 2007 at 2,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Mirage 8520 C 2007 tips the scales at 1 875 lbs — 1 864 lbs less than the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 at 11 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 Explorer 1700 DC 2010 has a 45-hp advantage over the Sylvan Mirage 8520 C 2007's 90-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 2010 carries 31 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Sylvan Mirage 8520 C 2007. 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 8520 C 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 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 8520 C 2007 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 21 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Mirage 8520 C 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage 8520 C 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.