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Contender 30ST: 2018 Boat Buyers Guide

Contender’s 30ST is a hardcore fishing boat.
Contender 30ST
LOA: 29’8″ | Beam: 9’6″ | Fuel Capacity: 265 gal. | Dry Weight: 5,450 lb. plus power | Max Horsepower: 600 | Certifications: NMMA Courtesy of Contender

Contender Boats’ tournament-focused goal across its 30 years is simple: to produce the world’s best fishing boat. Those with Contender experience say it hits the mark dead-on.

A Contender hull features the company’s deep-V 24.5-degree-deadrise design, with reverse radius chine for a dry ride in the surliest seas. Structural PVC core sandwich construction imparts lightness and superior strength. Good looks? Thank vinylester resins and specially formulated gelcoats.

The single-level Contender deck is clean and unobstructed, while within it are plenty of storage compartments. Polyurethane foam injected in cavities produces maximum flotation and minimal drumming in seas.

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Standard features include transom livewells, an anchor locker and a walk-through transom. Options (which survey respondents also called generous) include custom leaning posts, ­offshore fishing towers, teak, power-actuated hatches and coolers, and several seating packages.

In our survey’s four main categories — Fishability, Performance, Design/Construction and Value — Contender was consistently among leaders, and its four scores are within a two-point span on a 50-point scale.

Specifically, respondents placed it in the top half-dozen brands in cockpit space, speed and range, adding strong marks for the on-water values of safety, construction and ride, plus customer service and resale — that last likely, it seems, for another Contender.

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CONTENDER 30ST

Contender’s 30ST (Stepped Tournament) is a hardcore fishing boat: all-business console, abundant but unobtrusive storage, reliable livewells, cavernous fish boxes and generous fishing acreage. It’s ready for a scrap.

Order your 30ST rigged with custom outriggers, downriggers, rod holders, electric-reel outlets — whatever you need for the kind of fishing you want to do. Each Contender is a custom build.

The 30ST’s stepped hull is designed to get you to far-off fishing spots swiftly and ­economically, powered by twin four-stroke Yamahas, 250 or 300 hp. Recessed K-Plane trim tabs fine-tune the ride.

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The stage is set for successful fishing: wide gunwales for a moving battle, pull-up cleats and navigation lights out of the way until needed and a recessed handrail forward.

Awaiting the catch is an in-deck, fully lined 130-gallon fish box forward. Between it and the console is another insulated 70-gallon fish box you can have livewell-plumbed. Planning on bigger catches yet? Add an insulated coffin box.

Raise the seat forward of the console for walk-in access to the lined and finished head compartment. The console features lockable storage, vertical rod holders and an oversize, recessed and plex-shielded electronics panel.

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MORE INFO contenderboats.com

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