The Contender 21 Open 2009 is a deep-V design and the Contender 23 Open 2007 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 2009 at 21,3 ft versus Contender 23 Open 2007 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 21 Open 2009 tips the scales at 3 550 lbs - 1 150 lbs more than the Contender 23 Open 2007 at 2 400 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 2007 has a 100-hp advantage over the Contender 21 Open 2009'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 2007 carries 150 gallons versus 90 gallons in the Contender 21 Open 2009. 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 2007 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Contender 21 Open 2009 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 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 23 Open 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 21 Open 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.