Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 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 1700 DC 2010 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 3,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 tops out at 90 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 5 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 measures 96" wide, compared to 91" for the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 or the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012?

The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 has the bigger tank at 31 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 and Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 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.

Boat Comparison

Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012

Sylvan

Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010

2010

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Sylvan

Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 against a pontoon Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 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.

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 Fish 820 4-PT 2012'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 Fish 820 4-PT 2012. 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 Fish 820 4-PT 2012 is rated for 6 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 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 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.

General Boat Info

MakeSylvan

ModelExplorer 1700 DC

ModelMirage Fish 820 4-PT

Model Year201

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam91 in

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.31

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches91

Beam - Inches96

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 [transom]LS

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet17

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail17 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters5.21

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches205

Length overall - Inches25

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thickness0.086 in

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typePontoon

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

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max135 hp

Engine max90 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model40 ELPT EFI

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,350 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people5

Maximum peoplenot available

Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 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 1700 DC 2010 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 3,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 is rated to a maximum of 135 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 tops out at 90 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 1700 DC 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 5 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 91" for the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010. 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 or the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012?

The Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 has the bigger tank at 31 gallons, versus 24 gallons on the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 and Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 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.

← Sylvan Explorer 1700 DC 2010 full specs ← Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 full specs