Matching a modified vee Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 against a pontoon Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 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 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 at 2,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 tips the scales at 1 875 lbs — 1 762 lbs less than the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 at 113 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 135 hp for the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 and 115 hp for the Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 carries 31 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010. 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 8520 4-Point 2010 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 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 8520 4-Point 2010 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sylvan Explorer 1700 SC 2007 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 16 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Mirage Fish 8520 4-Point 2010. 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 Fish 8520 4-Point 2010 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 SC 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.