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Random Quote: The short way is often the long way!
Contender offers a 25 Sport that has very nice forward seating as an option on it. As a matter of fact, they can and will put forward seating on any and all of there center consoles. I know of 3 or 4 25 S Contenders in the New York area with twin 250 hp four strokes and forward seating for sale. I am not sure what dealer you have been in contact with but you may want to call the NY dealer to get some experience
??? when did they bring that out? i checked the site couple months ago and never noticed that... its a niice.
i'm looking at a used 25 though, would have to be aftermarket job so any input still welcome. thanks tho
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22 Mako BF225 Honda - For Sale
28 Whitewater T-F225 Yamahas
2005 Model year is when the 25 Sport (forward seating & side entry console) Contender was introduced. This is also when the hull on the 25 was redone to allow F250s. The boat runs GREAT with 200 HPDIs and you will see some with twin 150 4 strokes after the 2005 model year. Try contacting Birdsall Marine Design (they have a vendor forum on here) to see what ideas they have to add forward seating to a 25 Open Contender.
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FreeByrd running on Lake Erie 2003 25 CONTENDER
Two words....bean bags. I have no forward seating and went with bean bags. You cant get more versatile or comfortable. Move them to the back for running hard on rough days, leave them home on nice days, up front for cruising....you get the idea.
Two words....bean bags. I have no forward seating and went with bean bags. You cant get more versatile or comfortable. Move them to the back for running hard on rough days, leave them home on nice days, up front for cruising....you get the idea.
What he said
I almost went for the 25S but ended up getting the 27T. Bean bags will do just fine.
Contender does make a 25 forward seating. I tested one two years ago before buying my current boat. Nice boat if Contenders are your taste.
I fish 50% and cruise 50% as well. Actually prob cruise more than that and forward seating is a must. I know some people say bean bags in the front make up for forward seating, but I don't agree with that. If you are sitting in a bean bag up front, you will not be able to see over the bow which isn't much fun for cruising. I have always thought the forward seating boats run a little better b/c of the extra weight up front. Bean bags are a given, but I put mine at the transom for fishing and occasionally cruising.
The problem with bean bags as it is very hard to see over the side of any boat with much freeboard and I feel like I am sitting in the bottom of the boat. They work great for long fishing runs but are not very good for cruising with the family in my opinion. The 25 Contender is a nice setup. You might also look at the Sailfish as all their boats are setup with front seating and they ride pretty well to... Good Luck
__________________ "Good peopledonotneedlawsto tellthem to actresponsibly, whilebad people will find a way aroundthelaws." Plato
The Jupiters do a great job with the forward seating and run well also. That may be a line that you might take a look at. The Contenders have had the forward seating for a while now. However, there website and advertising leaves a lot to be desired.
FWD seating for 25 contender
