Matching a modified vee Contender 21 Open 2007 against a deep vee Contender 23 Open 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Contender 21 Open 2007 at 21,0 ft versus Contender 23 Open 2009 at 23,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 23 Open 2009 tips the scales at 475 lbs — 120 lbs less than the Contender 21 Open 2007 at 355 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 400 hp, the Contender 23 Open 2009 has a 100-hp advantage over the Contender 21 Open 2007's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Contender 23 Open 2009 carries 15 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Contender 21 Open 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Contender 23 Open 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Contender 21 Open 2007 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 23 Open 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 23 Open 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 21 Open 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.