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Disregarding fuel economy, what would make you choose the 31 over the 27 if they were close in initial purchase price. I have ridden in the 27 and I like the layout, but I have not ridden in a 31. Specifically, did anybody go with the 31 for the 2 & 1/2 ft and/or other features ( ie; bigger fishbox ) in the 31 or did you stay with the 27 because you did not see the value in the 31. Typically, two to four guys will be in the boat and we will be trolling or chunking anywhere from 30 to 90 miles out in the Gulf. Thanks in advance.
I personally chose the 27 over the 31, having ridden in both extensively. Trailerabilty was a big concern, as was power vs speed and fuel consumption.
I wanted a rig that could cruise at 40-45, and get better than 1.2-1.3 mpg on 2 stroke technology. The 31's with 4 stroke are seeing anywhere from 1.2-1.4 at an easy cruise. Hard cruise they are getting about 1.1-1.2 so. I also like the ride better, but that is just me
I've been looking to get the 27 for a while now, and have decided not to go for the 31.
Typically fishing out 25-60 miles off NE Florida, I think the 27 suits me better. The 31's biggest difference isn't the 2' of length, it's the beam. It is a good 8" wider, and I've never seen one without a triple-axle trailer. There is extra weight, and it will do a better job of holding the big 4-strokes than the 27, but the 31 is just more boat than I want. I don't know when I'd "have" to use a second livewell, or the second large forward fish box.
If you do look at the 27, don't get four strokes - they are too much weight on the transom of the boat and they throw the power to weight ratio out of wack and cause porpoising issues. It is commonly said that the 200 HPDIs on the 27 are the best power to weight ratio of any other engine possibility. That being said, there are many rigged with the 250 and 300 HPDIs, and so long as they have the upgrades, they are solid engines. The difference in weight can be easily overcome from the bigger block HPDIs by getting the Keikhaffer pumps and rams - they give a lot more throw in the trim tab.
A 27 with 200's can cruise at real world 2.0mpg and runs about ~50mph top end, and with 300's will run ~65mph and cruise at 45 mph at ~1.4mpg.
If any of my information is off and someone knows better, feel free to correct me. I am just going by a couple rides and looking at every 27 on the market, I don't actually have one - yet!
I personally chose the 27 over the 31, having ridden in both extensively. Trailerabilty was a big concern, as was power vs speed and fuel consumption.
I wanted a rig that could cruise at 40-45, and get better than 1.2-1.3 mpg on 2 stroke technology. The 31's with 4 stroke are seeing anywhere from 1.2-1.4 at an easy cruise. Hard cruise they are getting about 1.1-1.2 so. I also like the ride better, but that is just me
Which engines did you get then? And what about the fuel burn?
If you want to buy new wait for the 27T to come out and get a pair of F250 yammies or suzzies if possible. I doubt that yamaha would put the F350's on the back since they are way too heavy for that boat. One thing that I will mention is that the 31 is a heck of a boat to fish on and I would chose it over a 27 any day. I have fished both boats and prefer the 31 especially if you are fishing up to 90 miles out!
Here's some real world numbers for you. Twin 200 HPDI's, 27' Contender
I like to cruise between 40mph and 45mph seas permitting.
Full fuel 210 gallions, 4 overweight fisherman (200 plus pounds), 11 rods/reels, 200 pounds ice/bait/food,drinks.
40mph/4300rpm: 1.7gpm
45mph/4800rpm: 1.5gpm
WOT: 52mph: 1.3gpm calm seas
Just 3 of us and 3/4 fuel 45mph, I will get 1.7gpm
I would have to cruse in the mid 30's to get 2.0gpm, too slow for me.
I have 300 hrs on a 2006 27 w/ f250s- cuddy- the 250s are not too heavy. The boat does need alot of tab depending on conditions. I do not have the "porpoise" problem talked about, maybe the extra weight of the cuddy... GET THE F 250S and never look back. This is 1st hand info, not from a sea trial or "riding my friends boat". My 300 hrs is mixed- 90 miles offshore runs and backbay stuff... I chose the 27 over the 31 because the beam was not a concern to me and the extra 2 ft did not make sense w/ the price difference. The 27 worked for how I use the boat.
Lordo- Yes on the front boxes- there is 3 of them- I put 150# bigeye in the aft box- Had to stand on it to get it in and took 3 of us to get out-IT worked- plenty of storage on the boat...
Pauln, do I understand correctly that you were able to stuff a 150#er into on of those aft boxes? If so, then that answers the storage question for me. Thanks.
Yes sir - actully the fish was 71 inches long/ 46 inches girth- had to turn the fish to get him in- The fish was over 150 #- there is a pic somewhere on this forum...
Here's some real world numbers for you. Twin 200 HPDI's, 27' Contender
I like to cruise between 40mph and 45mph seas permitting.
Full fuel 210 gallions, 4 overweight fisherman (200 plus pounds), 11 rods/reels, 200 pounds ice/bait/food,drinks.
40mph/4300rpm: 1.7gpm
45mph/4800rpm: 1.5gpm
WOT: 52mph: 1.3gpm calm seas
Just 3 of us and 3/4 fuel 45mph, I will get 1.7gpm
I would have to cruse in the mid 30's to get 2.0gpm, too slow for me.
Thanks!
I know that I've heard it can do somewhere in the mid 30's at 2.0 mpg. At the 40 and 45 mph range I still think that those are pretty impressive numbers.
you said to disregard fuel economy in the decision. in that case its a no brainer, bigger always = better. as far as rigging the boats are pretty similar.
I have owned both the 27 and the 31....sorry guys...my new 31 gets the nod on this one. It rides SOOOOO much better in all seas. I have been out 2 or 3 times this year in nasty stuff in my new 31 and thought to myself...damn I am glad I am not in the 27. Don't get me wrong, the 27 is an awesome boat, and we ran that baby through some snotty seas and fished 100 plus miles out in it and she held her ground, but the extra length on the 31 really makes a big difference! I had always read how the 31 rode so much better and I thought to myself, 3 ft can't make that much of a difference...WRONG! It just rides with more authority...the bow is not as sporty and doesn't bounce around like the 27. In true 3-4 ft seas, the 27 was always launching and coming down hard (but solid) which made for somewhat of an uncomfortable ride with the bow bouncing...and yes, I do know how to load and run a contender. My 27 was rigged with 250 hpdis...it went 39 mph at 4000 rmps with a fishing load...usually getting about 1.4 in moderate seas. My new 31 is rigged with 300 hpdis and cruises the exact same speed as the 27...with a heavy load in moderate seas I get 1.2-1.3. I see as much as 1.6 at cruise with a light load. The 31 tops out 3 or 4 mph faster than the 27 did. Further more, there is a lot more deck space, an additional 400 qt ice chest in the front,wider, holds more fuel, and has an additional livewell in the transom which is really nice for seperating baits. I really like the new ice chest situation on the 31. The old 27 could probably only hold about 10 yellowfin iced properly...you could fit another 5 in the additional 400 qt on the 31...but if I had the 27s ice chests slammed, I wansn't complaining because it was an awesome trip! Having 2 400 qt icechests in the front is nice because you can load them both with ice and it gives the bow more weight. Having the extra ice chest space, you can use one of the rear 225 qt chests for drinks and food so you don't have an additional chest on the deck to put that stuff in. Mine has a coffin box with a hydraulic lift on it to get to the fish box. It is awesome...I can fit all my gear in just that box! It also adds more weight to the front of the boat which I think is one of the reasons I like the ride of my boat so much. Trailerability...it is definetely a little tougher to trailer than the 27...but you get used to it. I pull with an f250 with no problems...but the 27 is definetely lighter and narrower...so it is easier to trailer. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Both are excellent,solid boats, but I give the nod to the 31
I would say it depends on your fishing habits as to which boat to get. I have the exact same boat as PaulN (27 cuddy) but with 200HPDI's. I live on Cape Cod in MA and fish East of Chatham and South of the Islands. As PaulN mentioned the boat has the range for NE Canyon fishing. A comfortable cruise for me with the 200 HPDI's is around 30-32 knots with 2-3 crew and 200# of ice. At that speed I get right around 1.9-2.0 MPG. Up here the days are few and far between when you want to go faster. Also with the HPDI's I don't have to use as much tab as PaulN does. A lot of guys who run the opens also put transom wedges on the hull to help with keeping the bow down. As for storage the 27 has more then enough. Besides the fish boxes I also have a Canyon fish bag that I keep stowed until I need it.
If you go with the 27 will you want to step up to the 31 later? Take both for a ride and then decide. I don't think you will be disapointed with either.
27 Open vs. 31 Open Contender Owners 
