Sylvan 1700 Adventurer

By Capt. Bob Smith

Sylvan’s top selling performer is the gull-wing hulled 1700 Adventurer. This model was introduced for the 2006 model year and is a value-friendly family fishing rig. Serious anglers will appreciate the fishability and comfort aboard.

Starting at the Bow

This model is pre-wired for a Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor and has a main engine tilt switch next to the connector. In the bow is a locker for the ground tackle or other gear and the bow light is conveniently clipped to the bottom of the lid making it easy to find when the sun goes down. A large livewell is over on the port side in the front with a matching large dry locker on the starboard side. The bow area is spacious for a casting deck on a 17 footer, even with the casting chair in place.

Newly Designed Helm

Sylvan boosted the dash up for more legroom which also allows improved dash visibility. This pushed the fully framed windshield a bit higher offering more protection to the cockpit riders on the chilly morning run to the docks and fishing spots. The helm has easy to see large gauges arranged in a brow over the tilt wheel. There is plenty of room for an optional fishfinder, GPS or other gear to the right of the gauges.

Storage & Fishing Features

Between the helm and companion seat is a large in-floor locker for organizing five rods keeping them tangle-free and ready for action. The floor is vinyl coated for easy clean-up after an active day of hauling in the catch. Snap-in carpet adds a level of protection to bare feet. Seat bases add multiple arrangements for the pedestal seats and the bases are powder-coated for a corrosion-free life and are coated on the bottom and the top for equal protection. The companion station has a large glove box with simulated brushed aluminum lid. Trolling batteries are stored under the helm and companion stations behind a snap cover.

The wide gunwale tops offer a sturdy foot holds when climbing on board. The outboard side of the gunwale has an angled edge wide enough to mount snaps for the boat cover, which is a smart feature which encourages the water to shed off the boat rather than off the edge and under it.

Stern Features

The stern casting space is also generous and adding a casting chair makes it comfortable to work all three sides of the back of the boat. Another livewell is towards the front of the deck and a dry box is over to port.

Specifications

The 1700 Adventurer is 17’1” length overall with a beam width of 91”. She has a dry weight of 1220lbs without the engine on the stern and carries 5 people or a total weight of 1300 lbs people and gear. The 1700 has a fuel capacity of 24 gallons.

Performance

I tested the 1700 Adventurer in great conditions on an inland lake. She really was fun to drive and very responsive to wheel inputs. I found she was out of the hole in 3 seconds and up to 30mph in 6.6 seconds. She is cruising at 3500 rpm doing 26.6 mph delivering a range of 129 miles on a single tank of fuel. Top end performance was measured at 43.9 mph turning 5660 rpm.

The 1700 Adventurer offers solid performance, fishability and is budget friendly.

• Top speed for the Sylvan 1700 Adventurer (2007-) is 43.9 mph (70.7 kph), burning 10.6 gallons per hour (gph) or 40.12 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sylvan 1700 Adventurer (2007-) is 26.6 mph (42.8 kph), and the boat gets 5.98 miles per gallon (mpg) or 2.54 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 129 miles (207.61 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 115-hp Honda 4-stroke (outboard).