Improved Handling with Sylvan's New Tube Design

By Capt. Bob Smith

Sylvan’s 8522 Mirage Signature Pontoon brings a radical new design to the sport of family entertainment on a pontoon boat. Additions

In addition to a new tube design, the Mirage Signature offers five new panel colors. Powder-coated rails give a nice look and feel to what often is an overlooked feature. Seat bases, tubes, deck and transom all carry a limited Lifetime Warranty and the plush marine grade upholstery also has a generous warranty. This model is offered with or without a handy changing room at the stern for the family.

Perfect Place to Relax

With plenty of seating and standing room, the front lounge is where family and friends will hangout for snacks and meals underway. Entry to the 8522 is through large walk-through gates at the bow and side. The plush benches are mounted on roto-cast seat bases and have exceptional storage below for boat covers, life jackets, and water toys. Portable drinkholders make it easy to set down your drink.

Helm Features

The fiberglass helm is ergonomic design for comfort and usability. On the left side is a courtesy light to cast soft light onto the deck for safer movement at night. The raised dash design provides more leg room and also set the gauges higher and above the wheel. Faria instruments are set in a simulated brushed aluminum panel. The optional tilt hydraulic steering on our test model really made the drive effortless. The stereo is concealed under a smoke-colored protective plexiglass which is also located to the left of the wheel.

More Features

The aft bench seat offers plenty of room for the crew to join you at the helm. More storage is under these plush seats and the standard bimini cover overhead protects you from the elements or provides a shady place to relax when the sun gets a little to warm. Behind the aft bench is a small sun platform with a section that can be outfitted with the changing room. Off the stern is another entry gate and access to the swim ladder.

Specifications

The 8522 Mirage Signature measures 22’3” length overall and has with a beam of 8’6”. She weighs 1890 lbs dry and carries 24 gallons of fuel for a long relaxing day on the water.

Performance

The waters were great for testing the Mirage and the new tube design really did seem to deliver a catamaran style handling and ride. This design doesn’t feel anything like a pontoon from behind the wheel. Our test model was outfitted with a Honda 150-hp four-stroke outboard. This model was on plane in 4.7 seconds and up to 30 mph in 9.3 seconds. The 8522 Mirage cruised at 3000 rpm doing 14.6 mph and topped out at 37.2 mph. At cruise, the Mirage Signature can travel 124 miles on a full tank of fuel.

If you are looking for a family pontoon boat with good speed and handling, the 8522 Mirage Signature delivers room for the family and handling for fun.

• Top speed for the Sylvan 8522 Mirage Signature (2007-) is 37.2 mph (59.9 kph), burning 14.3 gallons per hour (gph) or 54.13 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sylvan 8522 Mirage Signature (2007-) is 14.6 mph (23.5 kph), and the boat gets 5.73 miles per gallon (mpg) or 2.44 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 124 miles (199.56 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 150-hp Honda 4-stroke (outboard).