21' Contender w/ 200 Yamaha

[CaptGorges]

Found the bigger boat (25' Ranger, 28'overall) I had wanted this spring when I pulled the trigger on this 21' Contender.

Overall length of the Contender is 23' 8", with tons of room in the bow, easily the biggest 21' I have ever been in. Starting at the bow and moving back there is a pop-up bow cleat and an anchor locker with a heavier-duty cleat in it. I tie the pop-up to dock lines and the big cleat to the anchor. Very large fish box up front, I think 225qts? I usually put about 100-150lbs of ice in it, could probably put 250lbs in, holds ice very well. If I have 2 back to back trips I do not have to add more than 10-20lbs. Cooler seat is attached to the console, holds enough food and beverages for a group of 5. Very nicely made t-top, cloth canvas top. The center console fits the boat well, a good amount of storage below it and when working on wiring things, I can fit myself inside, though I am fairly skinny (5'10", 160lbs). Very nice leanpost, storage under the cushion, folding footrest, 4 Lee's rod holders in it. 4 rod holders in the gunnels, 6 on the t-top, with two of them pointing straight out. Total of 14 rod holders, plus 6 more under the gunnels. Two batteries, spreader lights, new Garmin electronics. Fishfinder is a 300C and the GPS is a 330 or something, its color. Standard VHF, 8ft antenna, will be brand new. Brand new livewell/washdown pump, installing today. Boat has a removable transom, works very well. In floor livewell, I think 30 gallons. Nice removeable ladder, works good for diving. The area under the leanpost is also perfect for holding 3 tanks. Has a spreader light, and lights under the gunnels.

Motor is a 1996 Yamaha Salt Water Series Two, I think it just broke 1200 hours yesterday. Runs perfect, the most quiet 2-stroke I have ever heard. I bought it with 1050 hours on it in April this year. Hours are subject to change because until it sells, Im fishing. Usually fires right up on the first or second turn. Oil injected and I have put in about 4 gallons, so it is not bad on oil at all. When I got the boat before I ran it I installed a brand new oil resevoir (on the motor) and sensor, brand new water pump, had it tuned up. Not too bad on fuel, I calculate about 2.5-3mpg cruising. I can sprint to 23mi rocks, fish 9 hours, and sprint back on about 40-45 gallons. I have run this motor 40NM offshore and had no worries about getting back. My plan was to run this to 1500 hours and replace with a 200 or 300 HPDI, though I had considered putting a 150 four stroke on to save fuel. Cruise with 90 gallons of fuel, 150lb of ice, 900lbs of men, full livewell, 14 rods, and beer is 27kts @ 4200RPM. With my girl and me it is about 33kts. Flat out, best ever was 39.7kts @ 5200RPM. It has a 21p SS prop on it, I have a 19p I am going to put on today to see if I can get the extra 600 RPM it should turn.

I love this boat and had planned on keeping it another 2-3 years, but I had been planning on upgrading to a 25' CC with twins then and one happened to come available earlier. The ride is great, first day I took it out I was worried about the ride, but once I found the trim tabs, it was all good. As you will read from other Contender owners, usually in a chop you slow down, but with this boat in a 2-3 chop, put the tabs down and speed up, the ride improves. I still want to catch a billfish on it, so all July I will be fishing for sails in it.

It also has a custom made wakeboard post, easily removeable, about 5ft high. You can see the outline of it in the sunset photo.

SeawardAction/21 Contender - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Please contact me at mark.gorges@gmail.com because I sometimes do not receive PM's. $23,000