Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sylvan Freedom 160 TL 2012 vs Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sylvan Freedom 160 TL 2012 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 75 hp, the Sylvan Freedom 160 TL 2012 has a 73-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.
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 Freedom 160 TL 2012 caps at 6. 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 Freedom 160 TL 2012 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 Freedom 160 TL 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelFreedom 160 TL
ModelMirage Cruise 8524 RE-HT
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.26
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches89
Beam - Inches102
Depth - Detail22 in
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches22
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail875 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg396.89
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.875
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail85 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Length - Feet16.92
Length - Feet24
Length overall - Detail16 ft. 11 in
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Meters5.16
Length overall - Meters7.39
Length overall - Inches203
Length overall - Inches291
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.1 in. Side: 0.06 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max75 hp
Engine max2 Tubes: 150 hp 3 Tubes: 200 hp
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail24 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters90.85
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal24
Operational Info
Maximum capacity900 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people6
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