Matching a pontoon Sylvan Mirage Signature 8520 RE 2008 against a modified vee Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008 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 Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008 measures 17,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan Mirage Signature 8520 RE 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008 tips the scales at 122 lbs — 103 lbs less than the Sylvan Mirage Signature 8520 RE 2008 at 19 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 Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008 has a 45-hp advantage over the Sylvan Mirage Signature 8520 RE 2008'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 Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008 carries 31 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Sylvan Mirage Signature 8520 RE 2008. 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 Signature 8520 RE 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008 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 Signature 8520 RE 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sylvan Mirage Signature 8520 RE 2008 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008. 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 Signature 8520 RE 2008 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 Pro Sport 1700 DC 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.