Contender boats have a 30 year history in the waters of Florida with boats in both the Gulf and the Atlantic. Formulated from a concept that innovative solutions provide the best boats, the company has used the “performance through innovation” mindset to continuously push the envelope when it comes to boat building. Those seeking a fishing boat for sale should take a look at what Contender has to offer.
Built for families and fishermen alike
Although the Contender Brand has been used by professional fishermen, the boats are oriented to both families and to the fishermen alike. The size of the boats range from the 22’ to 39’ making them ideal for towing with a standard pull behind boat trailer. Contenders are center console boats with (for the most part) hard tops over the consoles. Though not technically considered a fish around, the boats do come equipped with ample rod holders, reel holders, and clearance space on the port and startboard to be considered as such.
The build
All of the boats which are 25’ or larger are built out of three pieces. These are the hull, liner, and cap. The pieces are fiberglass material and fitted together using Contender’s innovative methods. Hulls are Deep Vee in design. Beam and transom fiberglass coatings are part of the fitting process. And although there are three pieces, the seams and the craftsmanship make it look as one solid construction.
Models
Like many manufacturers, Contender identifies their boats by Fleets. Included in the Contender Fleet are the following:
As noted earlier, the majority of the boats are within the 20 foot range. As these boats are intended for fishing, they tend not to have high gunwales (if any). The bows of the Contender boats are elongated, converting over to casting decks on the larger boats. The smaller boats are already configurated to the casting deck with seating at the stern of the boat. Consoles are designed for standing navigation, but the captain’s chairs do allow for steering and navigation. Beams on the Contender are average, measuring on average 8’.
Needs for the Contender
Ample Consideration should be given to the smaller Contender boats. As the boats are intended for shallow waters, power polls and secondary anchors should be sought. Additionally, when looking at the smaller boats from Contender, note that they may or may not have a hardtop or a canvas top. It is not until the 25’ boats and above that the hardtops become somewhat standardized on these vessels.
Power needs for the contender can be a single outboard Yamaha motor in most instances or a dual motor configuration on the larger boats. As the vessels do not exceed the 40’ mark it is unlikely that you will find a Contender with a quad setup as this would be overkill on the power and greatly compromise the stability and safety of the craft.
If using the Contender boats for sale for fishing purposes, you may need to have a power pole added and other packaging. Look for pre-owned boats which have the boat already optimized for sports and leisure activities.
Where is a contender boat best used?
While the company claims that the boats are capable of offshore fishing, it is highly recommended that these boats be used for freshwater fishing and for inshore adventures. The reasons are that the boats are lower to the water, that they are smaller and thereby more prone to waves and adverse weather, and there is really not a set-up for overnight excursions. Gulf and Atlantic day trips are fine, but prolonged offshoring is not advised.
Where can I find a Contender brand boat for sale?
Contender boats are available on Vessel Vendor. To find a specific model please search our listing pages, or you can find out more information about a specific model through our model review pages. Can’t find what you are looking for? Use the ‘Contact Us’ bar to send us a message. Our yacht brokers have access to exclusive and global listings and can find the exact boat within the price range you are looking for.
Looking to sell your Contender boat on Vessel Vendor? We would love to help you with your listing. Our articles on how to get your boat ready for sale are an excellent place to start. Once you are ready, you will find that our easy to use platform makes listing quick and simple.
Should you have any questions regarding the Contender Brand Boat Review, Purchasing or selling a Contender boat, or if you have any general inquires about any of the boats or services of Vessel Vendor, please fill out the appropriate form on our website and we will get back in touch with you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you, and welcome to the vessel vendor family.
