2006 Contender

[keydup]

Im looking for some strong opinions. Just sold my boat and going to move up. Found this one and want to know what the guru's think. It's a 2006 31' open contender with twin 2006 250 yamahas. The motors have 1100 hours with warranty til March 2012. Not sure if it was a tournament boat or not. I has a SKA sticker and the boat used to have a wrap on it. The boat is a repo from Florida. The company that is selling the boat will not do a sea trial. They check everything to make sure it works and that is it. I posted some pics for yall to look at. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thank you.

[rdhdfmn]

Im not a boat guru by any means but I have an observation. A buddy of mine had a boat almost exactly like that and one thing I noticed is that you will get wet. I mean wet. It had lots of room, the motors seemed to do a good job. Once we broke the jettys though the water was coming in. He has since bought a 23' whaler and I can tell you that we havent been wet once. I would have never thought that there would be that much difference. Them not wanting to do a sea trial would throw a red flag up if it was me. RD

[REELBEAST]

If you get to Aransas Pass I can give you a sea trial on the exact boat and power. I run a 2006 Contender with the F-250's. It is somewhat of a wet boat, but it is designed for hardcore fishing. Our boat has been very good.

Capt. Ross L. McElwee
R&R Coastal Adventures Inc.
www.REELBEAST.com

[Blue Water Breaux]

Originally Posted by rdhdfmn

Im not a boat guru by any means but I have an observation. A buddy of mine had a boat almost exactly like that and one thing I noticed is that you will get wet. I mean wet. It had lots of room, the motors seemed to do a good job. Once we broke the jettys though the water was coming in. He has since bought a 23' whaler and I can tell you that we havent been wet once. I would have never thought that there would be that much difference. Them not wanting to do a sea trial would throw a red flag up if it was me. RD

Here we go again....

Keydup- nice looking boat, actually, awesome looking boat. BUT, 1100hrs seems like a lot of time on engines...even with a warranty, are you going to want to spend all your time with them in the shop? They are great outboards but there are always certain instances where it doesnt matter how reputable they are...plus, 1100 hrs of trolling or running and gunning?

I won't ever buy a boat without sea-trialing it. There are just way too many issues on boats that can go wrong...esp if it had a wrap on it with those kind of hours. It comes down to about 333hrs a year...is the price low enough to consider it w/out a seatrial? Hope it works out for you, its a beauty.

[James Howell]

1100 hrs in 3 years, Florida boat that "used" to have a wrap, DEFINITELY a tourney boat. However, if the warranty is valid on the engines (make sure its the yamaha warranty, not an aftermarket one), they should give you at least 1500 more hours and more like 2500.

[CHA CHING]

I agree with James. Not many people wrap their boat unless they are tournament fishing. 333 hours a year in Florida is a lot compared to Texas. What's the asking price?

[jhbarc]

Originally Posted by rdhdfmn

A buddy of mine had a boat almost exactly like that and one thing I noticed is that you will get wet. I mean wet.RD

Im not sure what your buddy's boat was but my brother has a Contender 31 open pretty much exactly like the one in this thread and the key to staying dry is in the trim tabs. I am not saying you will never get wet but boat handling and knowledge of trim tab use can go a long way toward keeping you dry. As for the boat In my opinion I would not make the purchase without a sea trial and a very thorough SURVEY!!! Contender builds in my opinion one of the very best Center Consoles period.

[Slightly Dangerous]

I agree with James except that those engines should give you a whole lot more hours than 2500 if maintained properly. Being a tournament boat can be a very good thing as most tourny fishermen take much better care of their boats than your average weekender does. No sea trial....that's another story that would be a deal killer for me.

[keydup]

Blue water and James

Thanks for the info. I am kinda leary for the simple fact that the company will not do a sea trial. The main reason for showing interest in the boat was that it is an 06 and it is in Texas. My budget will not allow for a new boat so I am having to purchase a used one. I just dont want to get a boat that a has a lot of problems. Thanks again.

[keydup]

Originally Posted by CHA CHING

I agree with James. Not many people wrap their boat unless they are tournament fishing. 333 hours a year in Florida is a lot compared to Texas. What's the asking price?

89k but its a repo so I think I can get it for less.