A Versatile Layout for Family and Fish

By Capt. Bob Smith

The Expedition is one of Sylvan’s best selling models of family fun and fishing design with room for serious fishing and for serious family entertainment. The 1800 is the flagship of the line with more chrome and curb appeal than many of its cousins. Her one piece .125 gauge bottom has the five-keel design for better tracking and maneuverability and the gull-wing bottom design gets her on plane and delivers a smooth, dry ride.

Versatile Layout

Accommodations up front are comfortable. She is pre-rigged for a Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor and has a main engine tilt switch near the plug in the bow. Pop-up cleats on the bow keep the gunwales snag-free underway and convenient when approaching a dockage. In family fun mode, two cushions provide comfort for the bow riders. Dry storage is beneath the starboard cushion and a large livewell is below the port side. For fishing duty, there is a handy lift and flip filler with a port for the casting chair post to slip through.

At the Wheel

A fully-framed wraparound windshield with large walk-through protects the cockpit from the cool morning breezes. The dash is raised to provide exceptional legroom at the helm and the companion station. Instruments are easy to view and there is plenty of room to the right for adding a fish finder, chartplotter or other favorite electronic gear. Below the dash is a storage box with room for one of the trolling motor batteries. Another battery box is in the same location on the companion side. The glove box has a nice simulated brushed aluminum look and tons of room for paperwork and small stuff.

Cockpit Features

The cockpit of the 1800 offers great space with multiple seat bases to arrange seats in your most comfortable spot. Seat bases are powder-coated for long, corrosion-free life and the powder coating is even on the bottom side of the bases. Under gunwale storage is plentiful and even designed for access when the stern is set up for fishing. Toe-kick space is built into the side panel design. The floors are vinyl coated for easy care after a fishing trip and snap-in carpet is gentle on the feet.

The stern has a convertible seat system. In family mode, the a beam-width bench for enjoyment. In fish mode, you have a large casting deck with combined baitwell and livewell system on the port side.

Specifications

We tested the 1800 Expedition on Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana on a beautiful summer day. The 1800 measures 18’1” length overall and has with a beam width of a stable 91”. She weighs 1250lbs dry without engines and carries a maximum load capacity of 7 people or 1625 lbs (people and gear). Fuel capacity on this model is 31 gallons and can handle up to a 150-hp outboard on her stern. Interior depth on the 1800 is a kid-friendly 25”.

Test Results

The 1800 is underway and on plane in a blazing 2.9 seconds and up to 30mph in only 5.8 seconds, rivaling many bass boats I have tested. She is comfortably cruising at 3500 rpm and 27.4 mph and reaches a top speed of 46.9 mph at 6200 rpm with the Honda 135-hp four-stroke on her stern.

The 1800 Expedition offers just about everything you can think in for a family-friendly fishing machine. It has the power, the features, and the durability for many years of enjoyment.

• Top speed for the Sylvan 1800 Expedition Sport (2007-) is 46.9 mph (75.5 kph), burning 12.7 gallons per hour (gph) or 48.07 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sylvan 1800 Expedition Sport (2007-) is 27.4 mph (44.1 kph), and the boat gets 7.49 miles per gallon (mpg) or 3.18 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 209 miles (336.35 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 135-hp Honda 4-stroke (outboard).