New Sylvan 8520 cruise

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pontoon2017
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Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2017 5:58 am

New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#1 Post by pontoon2017 » Sun Feb 19, 2017 6:32 am

Went to the Boston boat show on Friday night and I'm looking at purchasing a Sylvan 8520 cruise. I have never owned a pontoon before, but the boat had everything that we were looking for.

Has anyone had bad experiences with the Sylvan line of Pontoon boats? There are so many out there it's hard to tell the good ones from the bad.

The boat comes with 25" pontoons and I'm getting a 90hp Yamaha engine.

ron nh
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Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2014 1:07 pm
Location: Litchfield New Hampshire

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#2 Post by ron nh » Sun Feb 19, 2017 8:26 am

There good boats, Where will you be boating and what will it be used for is the real question.
2015 Qwest LS 818XRE Tri-toon w/mercury 115.

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joe20toon
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Location: Central Florida

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#3 Post by joe20toon » Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:37 am

We have had no problems with our 2016, 8520 'fishing' model...
I got the maximum horsepower of 115HP on it. I recommend getting maximum horsepower unless you are limited on size of your waterways.

Sylvan offers V-shaped (RPT) pontoons as well as regular round pontoons.
In the past, there have been issues with the older "RPT" - V-shape pontoons. Sylvan redesigned - fixed the issue. . .

The V-bottom on the pontoons give lift and actually planes out, improving speed, rather than plowing through the water. The RPT pontoons cost slightly more but, no strakes are needed for lift when at speed.

My 8520 gets GPS speed of 35mph - 37mph.
2016 20 foot Sylvan RPT (V Pontoons)
Yamaha Vmax SHO 115HP
80 Pound Thrust RipTide Trolling Motor
Humminbird Helix 7 Side Imaging

Bamaman
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Location: NW Alabama--Tennessee River

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#4 Post by Bamaman » Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:19 pm

I was thinking their problems with the PRT's were behind them. If they're still selling them, they're probably okay.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

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joe20toon
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Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#5 Post by joe20toon » Sun Feb 19, 2017 12:59 pm

[quote="Bamaman"]I was thinking their problems with the PRT's were behind them. If they're still selling them, they're probably okay.[/quote]

Sylvan RPT version 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAiBW7aLj7Q

https://www.sylvanmarine.com/rpt-performance
2016 20 foot Sylvan RPT (V Pontoons)
Yamaha Vmax SHO 115HP
80 Pound Thrust RipTide Trolling Motor
Humminbird Helix 7 Side Imaging

pontoon2017
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Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2017 5:58 am

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#6 Post by pontoon2017 » Mon Feb 20, 2017 5:17 am

Thanks for the quick replies. I decided to get the 8520 with the 90hp Mec Command thrust motor. Looking at all the different pontoon boats we liked the feel of this boat. Seemed well built and well laid out.

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Kramfam
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Location: Castle Rock Lake, WI

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#7 Post by Kramfam » Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:23 am

Congrats Poontoon2017.

You will be happy with the Sylvan. Not one problem with mine to date.
2014 Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524
27" RPT tubes w/underskinning
2014 115hp Mercury 4 stroke
Previous: 2004 Four Winns 22' Horizon, 270hp

ontarioguy
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Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#8 Post by ontarioguy » Sun Mar 05, 2017 4:22 pm

Do you find the two toon RPT banks into a turn or does it bank out like other two toon boats? I was thinking about a Bennington twin elliptical but I don't like the idea of leaning out in turns.

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Kramfam
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Location: Castle Rock Lake, WI

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#9 Post by Kramfam » Mon Mar 06, 2017 7:21 am

I have a two tube Sylvan with the RPT tubes. It doesn't really lean to either side on the turns...just stays level. I really like the RPT tubes...you can really tell when they get up on plane and I'm happy with the turning radius.
2014 Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8524
27" RPT tubes w/underskinning
2014 115hp Mercury 4 stroke
Previous: 2004 Four Winns 22' Horizon, 270hp

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joe20toon
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Location: Central Florida

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#10 Post by joe20toon » Mon Mar 06, 2017 9:17 am

[quote="Kramfam"]I have a two tube Sylvan with the RPT tubes. It doesn't really lean to either side on the turns...just stays level. I really like the RPT tubes...you can really tell when they get up on plane and I'm happy with the turning radius.[/quote]

...

I agree. There's no 'leaning,' the V-hull design grips the water in tight turns. A friend joked it seemed like a Formula 1 car in turns - staying level. LOL...
2016 20 foot Sylvan RPT (V Pontoons)
Yamaha Vmax SHO 115HP
80 Pound Thrust RipTide Trolling Motor
Humminbird Helix 7 Side Imaging

Gonefishing
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Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#11 Post by Gonefishing » Mon Mar 06, 2017 11:22 am

The main thing is are you happy with it and does it fit your needs. Everyone has an opinion and most will always say the biggest motor is the best. Which I agree with also buy the best brand out there again I agree. But you have to work within your budget and means. Found many who buy the Buy best, the biggest then can't afford to use it cause nothing left in budget for fuel and fun. I have owned boats for many many years. Some cheaper some expensive one thing I found out they all float, they all work, you will enjoy them all and if you take care of them they last as long. Just make sure you flush the motor, clean the seats with a good cleaner and wash down the toons. Using it in salt water if not kept clean in no time will show wear.
Bob Jacksonville, Nc

2013 Excursion X23 RFC
2013 115 Yamaha
Pulled with a Ford King Ranch

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rob28
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Location: Dryden, Ontario. In the wilderness.

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#12 Post by rob28 » Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:57 pm

We've had our Sylvan from new in 2013 and love it.
The only issue so far has been a faulty fuel gauge which we got a replacement for and it's all good now.

We only have the Merc 50 Bigfoot motor but it's enough for us on our lake. Tops out about 18-19mph. For us it's all about taking things nice and slow, anchoring up and watching the world got by.....

You'll have a fun summer. :)
Used to be a 2013 Sylvan Mirage Cruise 8520 LE powered by a Merc 50 Bigfoot.
Now we have a 2019 Sylvan Mirage 8522 DLZ LE powered by a Yamaha VF150..
2010 F-150 4.6L to haul it around.
You'll find us enjoying life on the Wabigoon.

Vikingstaff
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Location: Houghton Lake, Michigan

Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#13 Post by Vikingstaff » Fri Apr 07, 2017 8:10 am

Congratulations on the new Sylvan! How exciting! Our dealer only sells Bennington and Sylvan these days. They have a lot of good things to say about the Sylvan's. They had one on the lot that we were tempted to nab when we were putting an order in on a Bennington back in December. I have also spoken to a few Sylvan owners, and they also love their boats. I'm sure you are in for years of enjoyment and fun with it.
Vikingstaff
Houghton Lake, Michigan
Bennington 24' SSBXP

ben12
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Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#14 Post by ben12 » Wed May 31, 2017 5:29 am

I purchased a Sylvan 8522 last year with a 225 hp Verado and the RPT PR25 tritoon package. Great boat.

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ROLAND
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Re: New Sylvan 8520 cruise

#15 Post by ROLAND » Wed May 31, 2017 9:52 pm

Congratulations on the new Sylvan.... and you';re going to really like that 90 hp yamaha... I've got a 75 yamaha on the back of my toon and that thing sips gas.. I would assume your 90 will be easy on gas as well... again, congrats on the new toon and don't forget to post some pics when you get a chance...
Roland & Jo
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana

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