Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 boat specs
Sylvan
Sylvan Signature 8520 2009
2009
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VS
Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 boat specs
Sylvan
Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007
2007
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Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 vs Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a pontoon Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 against a modified vee Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 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 Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 measures 14,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 12,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 at 2,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 tips the scales at 395 lbs — 376 lbs less than the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 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 115 hp, the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 has a 80-hp advantage over the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007's 35-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 Signature 8520 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 11 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 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 Signature 8520 2009 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 Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeSylvan
MakeSylvan
ModelSignature 852
ModelSuper Snapper 1400 TL
Model Year2009
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in
Beam68 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters1.73
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches68
Weight - Detail1,900 lbs
Weight - Detail395 lbs
Weight - kg861.82
Weight - kg179.17
Weight - lbs.19
Weight - lbs.395
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet14
Length - Inches3
Length - Inches2
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 3 in
Length overall - Detail14 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Meters6.17
Length overall - Meters4.32
Length overall - Inches243
Length overall - Inches17
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Detail22 in
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches22
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail60 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Detail30 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.76
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches3
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]LS / SS
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessBottom: 0.064 in. Side: 0.060 in. Rib: 0.064 in
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 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 engines1
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max115 hp Tri Toon (Max): 150 hp
Engine max35 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,000 lbs
Maximum capacity1,000 lbs
Maximum people12
Maximum people4

Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 vs Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 or the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007?
The Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 is the longer of the two at 14,0 feet overall. The Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 12,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 or the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007?
For trailering, the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 has the edge at 19 lbs dry weight versus 395 lbs for the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 is rated to a maximum of 115 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 tops out at 35 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 Signature 8520 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 is certified for 4. 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.
Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 0 lbs per hp compared to 11 lbs per hp for the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 68" for the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 and Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sylvan Signature 8520 2009 and the Sylvan Super Snapper 1400 TL 2007 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.