Matching a modified vee Contender 21 Open 2007 against a deep vee Contender 25 Tournament 2012 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Contender 25 Tournament 2012 measures 25,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contender 21 Open 2007 at 21,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 25 Tournament 2012 tips the scales at 625 lbs — 270 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 25 Tournament 2012 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Contender 25 Tournament 2012 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 25 Tournament 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 25 Tournament 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 25,3 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.