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I am considering these two boats, both used. Let's say everything is equal except the engines. The 21 has a 2005 4 Stroke Suzuki, 130 hours and 4 years of warranty. The 23 has a 1997 Yahama OX66 with a 2 year old factory power head with 25 hours, no warranty. Which one would you buy?
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
Depends on how tight on money I was. If money is tight, pick the 21. Better fuel consumption and 4 year warranty on the motor, which is unlikely to give any trouble anyway. If money is less tight, go with the 23. Better offshore, and you can more easily feed the greater thirst of the OX66. If you get unlucky and that no-warranty motor goes bad, you might be facing some big bills. So long as you can survive that financially, the bigger boat is going to be better in the long run.
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
Isn't the cockpit of the 21 just as large as the 23? I would go with the 21 with the 4S Suzuki under warranty assuming the Suzuki is big enough to power the boat comfortably. What HP is the Suzuki?
RE: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
You asked the question based upon everything else being equal(which it is not), so the answer is very easy......21' with engine under warranty. However, I would take the 21' regardless because it is of a size and seaworthy enough to take you just about anywhere you need to go. From my limited observations, most boats in the 23-24' range, although not all, need twin engines for optimal performance. That takes you into a totally different cost profile. Good luck!!
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
The 21 and the 23 are same hull running surface, except that the 23 has the integrated bracket. I have a friend with a 21 and it is a good running boat but will absolutely rock and roll something fierce. Onwers say that with the integrated bracket on the 23 helps to subdue the roll quite bit. But with the 24 degree deadrise, she will roll no matter what.
Both boats run great and like the speed. The 21 has the better engine. The 23 has the better ride. Run both and see if the roll doesnt seem that different. If that is the case, the 21 with the 250 Zuke is the way to go.
__________________ ALB
1985 BW Montauk
1996 Evinrude 90
Give me oysters and beer for dinner everyday of the year and I'll feel fine - Jimmy Buffett
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
If you are talking a 23 open v. the 21 for the money I'd buy the 21. If you are talking 23T then I'd buy that if you want twins and a bigger boat. The 23 open has the exact same cockpit space. The console is slighter forward in the 23 but that's it. Yes the 23 has more in floor boxes, the full transom and rod racks up in the bow area but the price difference the dealers want don't justify all of that. I faced this decision 9 years ago when I bought one and I could have gotten the 23open with a single for 5k more than the 21, which was not bad. Try to do that today. Anway, I took them both out in nasty seas. I did not see where the 23 rode any better. In fact two different long time contender dealers told me they thought the 21 was a better riding and more responsive hull. I agreed so I bought the 21. The boat was awesome and I was stepping down from a 31 Fountain and a 24 Albemarle prior to that. I liked it so much I kept it 9 years and just sold it this winter for the exact same thing I paid for it 9 years ago. Try to do that with a 23.
You can't go wrong with either but lately it just seems the dealers are trying to get nearly retail on these boats and they want way more than 5k difference between a 21 and 23 (both with single power).
I have to disagree with the 21 rocking and rolling. Mine did not and I can tell you all about rock and roll after owning a 24 Alby.
I see no difference in the stability between a 21 and a 23. They are both fine.
Both are very economical with singles. If you can get a 23 for not much more than go for it.
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
I would always go bigger if I could swing it. I guess it depends what your doing with it. Bought my 2352 3 years ago love it but my next one will be a 28 ft.
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
What Tailwalker said.
Only thing I will add with respect to the 21 is the performance of the hull with the fourstroke hung off the back. I asked a similar question a few weeks ago comparing the 21 and the 23 and one poster stated he had a friend that repowered a 21 with a 250 fourstroke and was not happy with the ocean performance.
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
I do agree with LT on the 4 stroke thing on the 21. I had a 200 Yamaha carbed 2 stroke and lightly loaded she would hit 52 with ttop and curtains. Loaded for bear with 3 guys 47mph. Still got 2.5-2.7mpg. The boat is bow light as it is with a 2 stroke so I could only imagine what the weight of the 4 stroke does to it. I have oversized tabs on mine and could literally drive the bow down into the water at any speed which made it eat up the nasty seas at high speeds.
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
Get the 21 with the 250/4. I just see the 23 open as the same boat with a bracket, 60 gallons more fuel and two boxes in the floor. The most fuel I have ever burnt in a day was 45 gallons on a 120 mile round trip. Don't know about you but after 120 miles in a 21 footer' your done for the day. I can't imagine running the other 45 gallons out of my tank in one day. I average 2.7 with a 300. My guess is you will get at least 2.7+ with that 21 and the 23 probably at/or below 2.0mpg. (but on the plus side....you can continue to try to empty that 150 gallon tank into the wee hours of the night...)
Depends on the condition of both boats too...which one has been taken care of the best? That warranty is attractive too though. Very similar boats...good luck with your decision.
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
Service is a biggie. Can you get the yamaha serviced nearby? Quickly? What about the Suzuki?
A 20 year warranty does you no good if the closest service shop is 4 hours away and on a 3 week back-log.
I'd rather pay $200 and have my boat than have it in the shop for the whole month of July.
Location: Los Angeles, FL.or Georgia, depends. In Fl now.
Posts: 5,979
RE: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
Quote:
striper97 - 8/16/2007 3:36 AM
I am considering these two boats, both used. Let's say everything is equal except the engines. The 21 has a 2005 4 Stroke Suzuki, 130 hours and 4 years of warranty. The 23 has a 1997 Yahama OX66 with a 2 year old factory power head with 25 hours, no warranty. Which one would you buy?
Would it not depend on what you intend to do with da boat, how many passengers and how much offshore fishin you plan to do?
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
I would get the 23', in the future there will be some great deals on F225 and F250s motors due to folks wanting to upgrade to the new F350. You could update your power on the 23 then with a local dealer for service close to home.
Re: decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open
Personally I like new(er) boats... why not look at something like this: http://www.boats.com/listing/boat_de...ityid=17084801
Might be underpowered, but she is brand new and you'll "know" what you're gettin. Yes she clearly doesn't have all the options.. T-top, but you could add those as you get the $$$. Just a thought.
decision time: 21 contender vs 23 contender open 
