25' Contender?

[BA17]

Anyone on here ever refurbed a 25' Contender? Any advice, pro's, cons? I have been kicking the idea of moving up to one recently. I guess now the search for a 25 hull will commence?
Thanks,
BA

[dave s]

I have- a 91 25', older bracket style.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-...contender.html

[Terry England]

Dang, after looking at that, just go find a 23 Formula, hang a twin engine bracket on it, some K-planes, a single '06 Zuke 250 and let it eat.

[Old'sCool]

The older bracketed "low cap" models are my favorite

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Terry England

Dang, after looking at that, just go find a 23 Formula, hang a twin engine bracket on it, some K-planes, a single '06 Zuke 250 and let it eat.

You obviously are familiar with my last boat...

[BA17]

Dsve, that looks awesome. I really like that older model also. I may need to get serious about looking for one.

[dave s]

My buddy has an older ~88' flatcap 25' and after examining it docked alongside mine, it's the same, other than my raised cap.
Similar to the difference between a regular 20Sf and the MA.
I like the look of the flat cap but his has quite a bit less freeboard; after fishing both, I prefer the higher sides.
Also if you get an older model to rebuild, try to get the walk-in 3/4 console; I think it's more functional, without the front seat.
My boat runs fine with the F225, except when loaded, then a 250 or 300 would be nicer.
These hulls are bow light and I think run better with a big single or lots of power; when I had twins, I'd get up on top of the chop, doing 40+kts and it would run away from most other boats.
Trim tabs help.
Like the SeaCrafts with heavier motors, if you can move weight forward, it'll help.
Seems everyone else wants to go bigger, I'm going smaller, so I can afford to fish more!
I've fished on a 233 Formula also, and I think this hull runs flatter than the 25' Contender, but is definitely wetter and snap rolls at rest. With same power, the 233 is faster and more efficient.
Looks like a 23SeaCraft in your avatar.
Good luck with your search/build.

[hermco]

I like the shear line on the original Contender.

[BA17]

I bet you do Don! You started this BTW. After I talked to you over the winter it made me start contemplating the idea.