Sylvan Pontoons for Sale

Sylvan and Smoker Craft

Sylvan began building boats in 1948. Harold Schrock acquired it in 1969, and it became part of Smoker Craft, the family-owned company in New Paris, Indiana that also builds aluminum fishing boats. Sylvan's pontoons are built there, in the heart of northern Indiana's boat and RV country.

The Mirage series

The Mirage is Sylvan's value line. Sylvan lists Mirage boats from 19 feet to 24'10", with 96 to 102-inch beams and power ratings up to 250 or 300 hp depending on the model. Layouts include the LZ and CLZ lounge models, the CRS cruise model and Fish models with livewells and fishing seats.

Older Mirage spec sheets show 23-inch tubes on boats with a 96-inch beam and 25-inch tubes on the 102-inch beam boats. Bigger tubes carry more weight and ride better in chop, so check tube size when comparing two used boats of the same length.

Picking a used Sylvan

Think about how you will use it. A Fish layout gives up lounge seating for rod holders and a livewell. A cruise layout seats more people. A boat rigged with a 25 to 90 hp motor will be fine for slow cruising, but if you want to pull a tube or skier, look for a larger engine and a performance package with a third tube or lifting strakes.

What to check on a used Sylvan

Tube size. On a Mirage, see whether you are getting the 23-inch tubes and 96-inch beam or the 25-inch tubes and 102-inch beam. The bigger tubes carry more load and ride drier, and the 102-inch boats need a wider trailer.

Older recall. A Coast Guard recall opened in 1995 covered 313 Sylvan boats from 1995 and 1996 with the SYL code at the start of the HIN, for cracked fuel fill fittings. If you are looking at one that old, check the fill fitting and hose for cracks whether or not the fix was done.

Fish models. On Fish layouts, run the livewell pump and check the fishing seat bases and pedestals for cracks around the deck.

Engine. Smaller Mirages are often sold with modest outboards. If you want to tow tubes or skiers, check the max rating on the capacity plate before planning a repower.