Matching a pontoon Sylvan Mirage Sport 8520 2008 against a modified vee Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2007 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 2007 measures 17,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan Mirage Sport 8520 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2007 tips the scales at 122 lbs — 103 lbs less than the Sylvan Mirage Sport 8520 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 150 hp for the Sylvan Mirage Sport 8520 2008 and 135 hp for the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2007. 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 Mirage Sport 8520 2008 carries 35 gallons versus 31 gallons in the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 2007. 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 Sport 8520 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 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 Sport 8520 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sylvan Mirage Sport 8520 2008 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Pro Sport 1700 DC 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Sylvan Mirage Sport 8520 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 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.