The Ultimate Fishing Boat: 2000 Contender Review

A 2000 Contender is a semi-custom, offshore fishing boat. It is mostly a center console with an outboard motor. The 2000 Contender comes in a 21', 25' or 27' length. The 25' model has a beam of 8' and a dry weight of 3200 pounds. The 27' model has a beam of 102. The company that makes Contender boats, Contender Boats, has been in business since 1984 and is based in Florida. Contender boats are known for their performance and reliability and are a popular choice for fishermen.

Contender boats are built for speed and functionality

Contender Boats is a brand of offshore fishing boats that are built for speed and functionality. With over 40 years of experience, the company has a solid reputation for building the world's finest semi-custom sportfishing boats. Contender boats are designed and crafted with attention to detail, high levels of quality control, and a focus on exceeding the expectations of their owners.

The company was founded in 1984 by Joe Neber, and the first model produced was the Classic 25, which quickly gained popularity for its biaxial and triaxial fiberglass construction and solid build quality. Since then, Contender has continued to innovate and improve its designs, introducing a stepped hull design with the Step 35 model, which offered a smooth ride and improved fuel economy.

Contender boats are known for their performance and reliability, making them a top choice for hardcore fishermen. The boats are designed with fishing as their core purpose, featuring an open, clean design that provides ample room for casting and manoeuvring. The boats also include numerous rod holders, large livewells, and recessed lockers for storage.

In terms of construction, Contender boats are built with high-quality materials and attention to detail. The fiberglass construction of the boats is known for its outstanding durability, and the company uses ample foam in the core of the composite layers, contributing to the brand's unsinkable reputation. While some wood is used in certain areas, such as the transom and anchor locker, it is high-grade marine plywood sandwiched between layers of vinylester resin.

Overall, Contender boats are designed and built to function well and last, making them a reliable choice for offshore fishing and recreation. The company's commitment to quality and performance has earned Contender a solid reputation in the boating community.

Contender is an upper-tier brand

Contender boats are designed and built to function well and last. They are crafted with attention to detail and high levels of quality control. The company uses the highest quality fiberglass construction, with ample amounts of foam in the core of the composite layers, leading to an "unsinkable" reputation. The boats are open and clean, with plenty of room for casting and fishing. There are many rod-holders, large and well-supported livewells, and ample storage in several recessed lockers.

Contender boats are also known for their durability. While the company has used wood in some areas, such as the transom and anchor locker, it is high-grade marine plywood sandwiched between layers of vinylester resin. Stringers are made of fiberglass composite. The boats have a reputation for being solidly built and are said to be some of the most durable on the market.

Contender offers a range of boat sizes, from 21 feet to 44 feet in length, with various models such as the 32 ST, 39 ST, 23 Open, 25 Tournament, and 25 Bay. They are mostly center consoles, but also include deep vee, modified vee, planing, and monohull designs. Contender boats are powered by outboard, outboard-4S, inboard/outboard, and other propulsion systems, and can reach speeds of up to 1,800 horsepower.

While Contender boats are expensive, they are built to last and hold their value well. The company's focus on quality materials and construction ensures that even older models remain durable and reliable.

Contender boats are mostly center consoles

The Contender Boats brand is known for its range of semi-custom sportfishing boats, carefully engineered and meticulously handcrafted over 40 years. The boats are designed for fishing, but they also perform well in a variety of on-the-water adventures. Contender Boats are mostly center consoles, with a focus on performance and reliability.

The Classic 25 was the first model produced by Contender Boats, featuring biaxial and triaxial fiberglass construction. This model was followed by the 35 Express and the Classic 31, which marked a shift in the company's direction towards inboards. However, with the introduction of Yamahas' reliable outboards in the late 1980s, the company switched to outboard brackets and never looked back.

Today, Contender Boats offers a range of models, including the newer stepped hull designs and deep-V hulls in various lengths, as well as smaller bay boats. The company builds its boats for speed and functionality, with several options available for each model, making them semi-custom. As an upper-tier brand, Contender places less emphasis on amenities, focusing instead on the design and construction of the boat.

The boats are designed with an open, clean layout, providing ample space for casting and fishing activities. They are equipped with numerous rod holders, large livewells, and a combination of pop-up and recessed cleats that do not interfere with fishing. Additionally, Contender Boats are known for their durability, thanks to the high-quality fiberglass construction and ample use of foam in the core of the composite layers, contributing to their unsinkable reputation.

Overall, Contender Boats, with their center console configuration and fishing-focused design, have established themselves as a top choice for hardcore fishermen and women who value performance and reliability in their offshore adventures.

Contender boats are semi-custom

Contender Boats is an upper-tier brand of semi-custom offshore fishing boats. The company was started in 1984 by Joe Neber, and has since gained a reputation for building the world's finest semi-custom sportfishing boats. Contender boats are carefully engineered and meticulously handcrafted, with a focus on performance, strength, durability, and comfort.

Being a semi-custom builder allows Contender to craft boats that excel in tournament fishing, family outings, commercial work, and everything in between. Each boat is designed to deliver the ultimate performance, strength, durability, and comfort expected from a Contender. With hundreds of options to choose from, each boat can be perfectly customised to the owner's preferences.

Contender boats are mostly center consoles, and they have fewer amenities than most comparable brands. They are, however, recognised as being a top choice for hardcore fishermen because of their performance and reliability. The company's first model, the Classic 25, featured biaxial and triaxial fiberglass construction and gained a reputation for being solidly built. This was followed by the 35 Express and the Classic 31, which were the boats that changed the company's direction towards outboard brackets.

Contender boats are built for speed and functionality for offshore fishing. They are open, clean, and spacious, making it easy to walk around and cast a line. There is also plenty of room for gutting fish, with large and well-supported livewells. The boats have ample storage in several recessed lockers, ensuring that everything you need for a successful fishing trip is always within reach.

The durability of Contender boats is also exceptional. The fiberglass construction of the Contender brand has always been of the highest quality, and the company puts an ample amount of foam in the core of the composite layers, leading to their unsinkable reputation. While Contender Boats still uses wood in a few areas, like the transom and the anchor locker, it is high-grade marine plywood sandwiched between layers of vinylester resin.

Contender boats are designed for offshore fishing and recreation

Contender Boats is a brand of offshore fishing boats that are also used for recreation. The company was started in 1984 by Joe Neber, and has been under his leadership ever since. The first model produced was the Classic 25, which was a 25-foot outboard center console and featured biaxial and triaxial fiberglass construction. This model quickly became popular and gained a reputation for being solidly built. Since then, Contender has continued to innovate and improve its designs, introducing a stepped hull design with Step 35 that proved to be a major success. Today, Contender Boats is known for its semi-custom sportfishing boats that are carefully engineered and handcrafted. The company has a reputation for building boats that outperform and outlast the competition, with a focus on speed, functionality, and durability.

Contender boats are designed with fishing as their core purpose. They are open and clean, with plenty of room for casting and fishing activities. There are multiple rod-holders and large, well-supported livewells. The cleats are strategically placed to not interfere with fishing, and there is ample storage in recessed lockers. The boats are also built for speed and functionality, with several options available for each model. As a result, Contender boats are a popular choice for hardcore fishermen who value performance and reliability.

In addition to their fishing capabilities, Contender boats are also well-suited for other on-the-water adventures and recreational activities. Their vessels are ideal for day cruising, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and overnight cruising. Contender offers a range of boat sizes, from 21 feet to 44 feet in length, and their models include center consoles, saltwater fishing boats, bay boats, and sport fishing boats. The company's attention to detail, high levels of quality control, and commitment to exceeding expectations have made them a trusted brand in the boating community.

The durability of Contender boats is another key factor in their design. The fiberglass construction of the Contender brand has always been of the highest quality, and the company has a reputation for outstanding durability. The composite layers of the boats are infused with ample foam, contributing to their unsinkable reputation. While some wood is used in certain areas, such as the transom and anchor locker, it is high-grade marine plywood sandwiched between layers of vinylester resin. This construction method ensures that Contender boats are built to last and can withstand the demands of offshore fishing and recreational activities.

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