Matching a modified vee Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 against a flat Sylvan Jon 1032 2011 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 SC 2007 measures 17,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 16,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan Jon 1032 2011 at 1,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 tips the scales at 113 lbs — 112 lbs more than the Sylvan Jon 1032 2011 at 1 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 SC 2007 has a 132-hp advantage over the Sylvan Jon 1032 2011's 3-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 Explorer 1700 SC 2007 is rated for 5 passengers, while the Sylvan Jon 1032 2011 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sylvan Jon 1032 2011 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 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.