Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 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 Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 tops out at 50 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 Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 and Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 share an 96 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Are the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 and Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 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 Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012

Sylvan

Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008

2008

View full specs →

Sylvan

Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 — A Close Look at Two Pontoons

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 and the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 90 hp, the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 has a 40-hp advantage over the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008's 50-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 818 F-SD 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 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 818 F-SD 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 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

MakeSylvan

ModelMirage 818 F-SD

ModelMirage Fish 820 4-PT

Model Year2008

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Weight - Detail1,325 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg601.01

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.1325

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches25

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull typePontoon

Pontoon and Inflatable Specific

Tube diameter23 in

Tube diameternot available

Tube gauge0.080 in

Tube gaugenot available

Number of tubes2

Number of tubesnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Max no of engines1

Max no of enginesnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max50 hp

Engine max90 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model40 ELPT EFI

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 capacity1,750 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum peoplenot available

Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 vs Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 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 Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 2,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 tops out at 50 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 Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 and Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 share an 96 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Are the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 and Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sylvan Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 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 Mirage 818 F-SD 2008 full specs ← Sylvan Mirage Fish 820 4-PT 2012 full specs