*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: If people concentrated on the important things in life, there would be a severe shortage of fishing poles!!!!!
Well this may be a stupid question but I do not have them in front of me to compare. The dealer is a ways away. The question is the 31 open Contender and the 27 open are only 2 and a half feet differance by their specs and also the 31 is only 6 inches wider than the 27. Can anyone tell me if they ride close to the same or is it worth the money to go ahead and buy the 31 compared to the 27? Also is there that much more room in the 31 compared to the 27? Like I said it may be a silly question to some but I just have never been on either and would like some feed back.
I think the ride is close , but there is a difference. I would still look at resale down the line there is a demand for 31 opens , people usually settle on a 27 open unless they have a length restriction for boat lift or storage. the 31 open should only be approx. 10k more when configured with same equipment and engines. good luck !!
__________________ Yes, I know my username is gay. The mods will not let me change it.......
No question is silly when you are about to plunk 80-120K on a boat. I might be wrong but there may be more 31's available used if you plan on going that route. I have been on the 31 and it was sweet. Cant comment on the 27.
Two and a half feet in length and six inches in beam is a lot on a boat of this size. It's not only the size difference but the weight, the heavier boat will ride nicer. I don't own a Contender but I have seen them up close a lot of times and to the eye the 31 looks much bigger than the 27.
I would lean towards the 31 if 4-stroke power is preferred. The ride and handling of the 31 is reportedly better than the 27 with the heavier engines. While I'm sure that there are some happy 27 owners with 4-stroke power, many claim that the 27 handles better with lighter 2-stroke engines.
I sea trialed both back-to-back at a dealer a few years back, in 3-4' windchop. At first I was amazed at the 31' - it just ate it up. Then we took out the 27 a half hour later and I was having trouble telling the difference. That being said, I'm sure in some seas (e.g. longer period waves), the 2'6" extra of the 31 could make a difference. I have heard that the 27 does have issues with prop venting in a following sea, but I've also heard that wedge plates on the transom will solve this issue.
At any rate, I found out at Ft. Lauderdale that the redesigned 27 and 31 will both be out next summer, and those two are on my short list while I ponder some of your same points...
I have fished on both and the 31 would be my choice of the two if I was leaving it in the water. If I was trailering my boat everywhere I would opt for the 27open or the 25open because of the narrower beam....Mark
I sea trialed both back-to-back at a dealer a few years back, in 3-4' windchop. At first I was amazed at the 31' - it just ate it up. Then we took out the 27 a half hour later and I was having trouble telling the difference. That being said, I'm sure in some seas (e.g. longer period waves), the 2'6" extra of the 31 could make a difference. I have heard that the 27 does have issues with prop venting in a following sea, but I've also heard that wedge plates on the transom will solve this issue.
At any rate, I found out at Ft. Lauderdale that the redesigned 27 and 31 will both be out next summer, and those two are on my short list while I ponder some of your same points...
people fly in from all over. i took a cab in from the airport with a couple from new england who make it a vacation every year. south beach and you're not far from the keys. if you are looking at spending that sort of money why not go to a place where you can see and ride contenders, seavee's, hs's, reg's, etc?
Sea trialed both last year- they where real close in ride on the day I went out- the 27 is over 30 ft- I don't know loa on the 31 but side by side it was not much bigger- I chose the 27 because the size difference did not warrant the extra 20k the dealer wanted - It stands to reason that the 31 will be better when it kicks up, but my 27 has treated me well and I often fish alone so I do not need that much boat... I can't find a bad thing about my boat and the yam f250s are awsome- The 33t is a whole different story- that is a monster- had my 27 side by side with it- makes my boat look like a hydrosport- whoops thats another thread- just my contender ego comming out- -- good luck !
I think that the ride on both boats will be about the same until you get in rough water and then the extra length and wieght of the 31' will help. It seems to me that everyone always moves up in boats so I would go for the larger boat. I also think that you will have better resale value on the 31' due to gas prices and the fact that a lot of guys with "bigger" boats are moving to 30-36' CC.
I love mine.
__________________ Hit That! 35 Cabo Express t/ 450 3208TA CATS
Don't understand the above post, about going with the 31 over the 27 due to gas prices. I've fished both, and recently sold our 27 after 5 great years. I haven't seen a 31 approach 2 mpg at cruise, whereas the 27 can easily be setup for a 2mpg cruise, as our's did with the twin F225's. We chose not to upgrade to the 31 when two foot itis set in, since in our opinion, there just wasn't enough difference in performance. The boat we ended up with, the Venture 34, has very similar fuel burn numbers to the 31 Contender, with far superior construction and comfort level.
My vote would be for the 27 for some of the reasons above, but definitely for the superior economy of operation.
Sea trialed both last year- they where real close in ride on the day I went out- the 27 is over 30 ft- I don't know loa on the 31 but side by side it was not much bigger- I chose the 27 because the size difference did not warrant the extra 20k the dealer wanted - It stands to reason that the 31 will be better when it kicks up, but my 27 has treated me well and I often fish alone so I do not need that much boat... I can't find a bad thing about my boat and the yam f250s are awsome- The 33t is a whole different story- that is a monster- had my 27 side by side with it- makes my boat look like a hydrosport- whoops thats another thread- just my contender ego comming out- -- good luck !
The 27 will be fine with twin 200's the 31 wants 250's or bigger Contenders run better fast than slow feeding 200's at 4200-4500 is alot less than feeding 250's or bigger at the same rpm You can run them at 3k or 3500 but these just flat out want to run right around 40mph I don't own one maybe someday
Abaco, I had a 27 with F225's and never got near 2mpg, don't know why but I was quite dissapointed in the performance. My current 31 with same engine package will get very close to 2 mpg lightly loaded and actually gets better economy than my 27.
Ed
__________________ See my 2002 185 Edgewater for sale here on THT
Contender Question. 
THT sponsor
-- good luck ! 
