*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: Never raise your hand to your kids....it leaves your groin unprotected
A buddy of mine is looking at these two boats. The Contender was repowered in '01 with a pair of Yam 200 HPDI's ( the owner supposedly wanted the upgraded performance over the 150's that he ordered the boat with, and are still under warranty till mid '06). The Outrage has a pair of '02 225 Optimax's and 3 years warranty left. Both boats are close in price, the Contender has Radar, GPS/plotter, FF, Vhf, remote spotlight, top gun riggers full curtains etc., and the outrage has a Gps, plotter/ff in B&w, vhf, a windlass and riggers.
He wants to occassionally run off to the canyon and the outrage only holds 200 gallons, whereas the contender holds 185 with smaller engines. The opti's had problems in the past (are the '02 opti's fixed ?)
He feeels the resale of the Outrage would be easier, but thinks that the contender would be a better offshore ride.
My opinion ( not having ever ridden in either ) is the contender would be a better choice _ better ride, better range, more suited to fishing What do you guys ( gals) think. Any input would be appreaciated.
He feeels the resale of the Outrage would be easier, but thinks that the contender would be a better offshore ride.
While resale is usually a factor in the equation, I wouldn't purchase a boat based solely on resale assumptions. I would buy the boat that best suits my intended use.
While plenty of fish are caught from BW's, I don't think anyone would disagree that the Contender is better suited to fishing.
Check out the size. The Contender is huge compared to the 270 outrage. The 27ft includes the little bow roller anchor holder. The 25 Contender including all that stuff is 28ft long. The livewell setup on the 25 is much better also.
It depends on the prices. I would not be afraid of the Opti's. I have twin 225 2001's on my 25 Contender and Mercury has stood behind the issues they had during that year. The warranty is key. However, the 200 HPDI is often referred to as one of the best engines Yamaha has ever made. I considered the Whaler also when I bought my Contender because I had owned a Whaler and loved it but it was much smaller. I determined that the Contender was a better fit for me in moving up to do many of the same things you said you buddy wants to do. My Contender is sold pendig financing because I am now moving into a cuddy, but if you want details on my boat, send me an email in case the perspective buyer cannot get his financing. My selling price is $57,000.
If the 27 OR is anything like the 26, those boats aren't even close in the ocean, really. Unless your friend plans to saw the boat in half or putt around the bay with the family in the bow seating, he should not consider the BW, relative to the Contender.
I owned a 25 Contender and when my wife and I went out on a friend's Outrage 26 (which cost more than our boat) she was appalled at the ride....and this was in Biscayne Bay, less than a 2' chop.
Boston Whaler: - military proven strength
- you could probably run up onto a jetty, and still get back to the dock safe and sound
- not the smoothest riding boats around
- though great for fishing, probably not as well laid out as others
Contender: - I don't have any experience with them, but from what I've heard on this forum, they're probably better laid out for fishing
- probably smoother riding
The whaler can't compete. Compare the storage b/t the two boats, ride, true usable space and engines.
Even the whaler guy above says the ride is not great. I used to have a whaler and then bought a 25' Contender. After I fished the Contender, my body felt like it was 21 again. The whaler made me want to see a chiropractor.
A buddy of mine is looking at these two boats. The Contender was repowered in '01 with a pair of Yam 200 HPDI's ( the owner supposedly wanted the upgraded performance over the 150's that he ordered the boat with, and are still under warranty till mid '06). The Outrage has a pair of '02 225 Optimax's and 3 years warranty left. Both boats are close in price, the Contender has Radar, GPS/plotter, FF, Vhf, remote spotlight, top gun riggers full curtains etc., and the outrage has a Gps, plotter/ff in B&w, vhf, a windlass and riggers.
He wants to occassionally run off to the canyon and the outrage only holds 200 gallons, whereas the contender holds 185 with smaller engines. The opti's had problems in the past (are the '02 opti's fixed ?)
He feeels the resale of the Outrage would be easier, but thinks that the contender would be a better offshore ride.
My opinion ( not having ever ridden in either ) is the contender would be a better choice _ better ride, better range, more suited to fishing What do you guys ( gals) think. Any input would be appreaciated.
IMHO this is not even close.
The 270 outrage is tiny if they are pretending it is a 27' boat, it is not much bigger than my 24 Albemarle and no way it rides well compared to the Contender. These boats are built with two different purposes in mind.
If you are serious about long runs in rough water and fishing then Contender is your boat.
If you plan to chop it in half, putter around the bay or get shot at...then Whaler is your boat.
You should be able to set these two apart based purely on purpose and intended use.
You will not have too much problem selling either of these boats but those Optimaxs..well...they don't carry the best reputation. I know someone will come along here and tell me I'm wrong, but tell your friend to do a search here or at Florida sportsman and see for himself.
Sorry Whaler and Mercury fans, nothing personal, but I could not let this one slide.
Well as a professional fiberglasser I know that although Boston Whaler may be known as a "tough boat" to some, only the commercial division is military tough, hence that is why the military uses the commercial whalers not recreational product so no, the 270 is not military tough. Also anyone who says that boat is 27 feet long is pushing it. The fiberglass on whalers is probably the thinest of most boats around where as contenders is close to an inch thich if not more. The ride and layout on Contender is also much better and proven, I also like Yamaha power and the HPDI 200s are very reliable. Im not whaler bashing, I own a 16 Nauset but I would rather be on my Contender anyday.
can't help jump in here. I did hurricane francis last summer on sunday in august in Nantucket Harbor...18 miles across...10 of those miles in my 240 BW Outrage in 10-14 waves...it was hell, but the whaler was outstanding. I took a few over the bow, etc. the boat is amazing in big stuff. especially the newer designs....Contender is a great boat too, although it was absurd to be out there, I probably wouldn't be writing this if I was in the Contender...but hey...there are plus' and minus' with both.
My new boat is the 05 3100 Pursuit...named..."Category V"....for good reason
Not that you should do what I did with your new boat, but many times it picked up on Tillies Bank, I was glad I was in the Whaler.
If the 27 OR is anything like the 26, those boats aren't even close in the ocean, really. Unless your friend plans to saw the boat in half or putt around the bay with the family in the bow seating, he should not consider the BW, relative to the Contender.
I owned a 25 Contender and when my wife and I went out on a friend's Outrage 26 (which cost more than our boat) she was appalled at the ride....and this was in Biscayne Bay, less than a 2' chop.
I was wondering where this thread would go.
"Contender vs Whaler"...might be the most bizzare comparison I have ever seen here.
can't help jump in here. I did hurricane francis last summer on sunday in august in Nantucket Harbor...18 miles across...10 of those miles in my 240 BW Outrage in 10-14 waves...it was hell, but......
My new boat is the 05 3100 Pursuit...named..."Category V".
You really need a bigger boat if you will go out in those conditions. The 3100 pursuit can be your' liferaft.
Oh yea, I'd go with the Contender. A better all around boat.
contenders are completly filled with foam don't know the density4#-8# I would guess. The clown that thinks he might not be here in a contender please! It's idiots like him that put our coastie's in the places they shouldn't be in
I know that 10 to 14ft sea have taken down much bigger boats that have captains with much more experience. No way in he!! would I be in one of those "unsinkable" boats in those conditions. All it takes is one uncalculated mistake and there you go! I agree, people that run in gale type conditions just put others at risk.
2000 Contender 25 vs 2002 270 Outrage 
) is the contender would be a better choice _ better ride, better range, more suited to fishing 
What do you guys ( gals) think. Any input would be appreaciated. 
. An instant classic that can be used for any Whaler post from now on, and.....I'll give all the credit to you. 
