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I thought I read here that the 27cc was coming out with some forward seating options. Live in Northeast, 4 small kids. Fishability, family, etc. Any info?
Brad - they make the FS in the 25 - and the 25 is all of 27 feet. I would either get the 25, or I would get the 31 if you wanted something larger. 27 is a tweener boat in my opinion....
Allow me to add this though- With the new console and the new leaning post, there is seating for 6 already. Add a folding rear bench seat and you have seating for 8. Forward seating is a waste of one the best things about a contender if you ask me.
the other thing that you can add on any of the contenders (or any center console for that matter) is a folding rear bench seat type design that is installed up in the bow. one on each side. I beleive that Birdsall Marine produces them. I am sure that any aluminum fabricator can make up something similar. this way they are removable when fishing. I would think that a permenant fiberglass install would be more comfortable for sitting but this could be an option, especially if you found a great deal on a used boat.
__________________ REMEMBER SOME PEOPLE ARE ALIVE SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL TO SHOOT THEM.
beanbags are much more comfortable than any seat a manufacturer will produce.
Yup!!! We use bean bags. I also park a tote in front of the console that I use to store tackle, rain gear first aid---you name it. I have the factory folding seat that attaches to the front on the console, but NEVER use it. Instead, I use a bungee to tie my "tote" down and it's plenty sturdy enough to sit 2 people on. If we're riding around in the lakes and rivers people will ride up there. Offshore, everyone wants to be behind the CC. Sometimes when it's really calm, people will ride up front on the tote.
We had 6 men on the boat this past Sunday for a trip 85 miles out. Had 2 bean bags, the leaning post, and the factory, fold down rear seat and nobody was looking for a place to ride. 210 miles round trip and I never got a complaint. As usual, nobody rode up front.
As someone else said, killing all that open deck up front with seats that don't come out is a sin. We always land our fish up front simply because there is just more room and you never hit the T-top with the back of the gaff when lifting because it's so open up there. One of the beauties of the contender design is being able to do that. You can't do that in a boat with a monstrous flare and a high bow and a big rail. When we hook up with a large fish, I instruct the fisherman to slowly work his way up to the front of the boat ( if he's not already up there). That way, there's plenty of room to land the fish, no motors to worry about getting tangled up in, no T-top in the way, and most importantly, there's nothing to trip over. And don't think I'm talking about small fish being landed in the bow. We land the smalll ones in the stern--no big deal. When you get the fish in the boat, you can get a pic or 2 and just slide him right into the largest ice chest in the boat.
I think the coffin is kind of a waste too. If you run out of ice chest room in a contender 25 or bigger, you need to head for home because you will be cleaning fish for the foreseeable future. I've filled mine up before and wished I hadn't!
All of these fish were fought and landed in the bow.
Like I said, if you fill the in deck boxes on a Contender, you need to head in....Too much fish to clean!!
Thanks for the replies guys...and man, those pics..... BUT, it is not a sin when you have 4 kids under the age of 8, who like to sit up front and hold on to the rail....
Thanks for the replies guys...and man, those pics..... BUT, it is not a sin when you have 4 kids under the age of 8, who like to sit up front and hold on to the rail....
Awe, just a figure of speech. Are you sure you really want a Contender? Lots of boats out there that fish ok but are far more family friendly. You're lucky to have all those kids. Wish I could've had more but the wife had problems with the first.
Looking at Contender, Jupiter, and Venture. I have a 26cc right now that I am not happy with....that will go nameless. Had it for 4 years. Perfect size for me....want to go top tier and not worry if I am going to make any good runs without the little ones. I know you were kidding, and sorry to hear of your troubles.
Looking at Contender, Jupiter, and Venture. I have a 26cc right now that I am not happy with....that will go nameless. Had it for 4 years. Perfect size for me....want to go top tier and not worry if I am going to make any good runs without the little ones. I know you were kidding, and sorry to hear of your troubles.
Nothing to be sorry for. I have a great son and am very happy for that. Just every once in a while, I wish he could have had a brother or sister. I have 2 brothers and know what they mean to me.
If 26 is the right size, you may want to look at the 25 open, not the 27. I would think you know this by now, but the 25 is actually 28' LOA and the 27 is 30' LOA. And the 25 is very much available with forward seating. Maybe I'm just telling you something you already know.
Can't speak for the other 2 because I've never owned one, but the 'tender is top notch. Have had lttle to no problems with mine and I've had it for quite a while. Only reason I will eventually replace it is because I really want more range. And when I do replace it, it will almost certeinly be with another contender... probably w/ a 33T. That will have to wait though. I don't want to tow a boat that size as much as I tow the one I have now. Bought a lot on the coast this past summer, but not ready to build yet. Once I do build, I will have boat storage close to where I fish.
I have a small Contender (21 Open). All the Contender hulls are similar in design and performance. I have tried taking family out in this boat and I have come to the thinking that Contenders are sport fishing boats, not family boats. Wife and I will occasionally run the ICW, but fish big water with family, I think not. Little kids in a 50-60mph boat just ain't gonna work, no matter how much seating is there. Especially, seating in the front is the worst possible area. I love the boat, the ride, the speed, the fishing from it, but the grandkids (and wife) don't think much of it'
david
Contender, forward seating, 27 ?? 
