Matching a deep vee Contender 21 Open 2009 against a modified vee Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 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 36 Cuddy 2007 measures 36,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 14,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contender 21 Open 2009 at 21,3 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 020 lbs less than the Contender 21 Open 2009 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 900 hp, the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 has a 600-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 36 Cuddy 2007 carries 41 gallons versus 9 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 36 Cuddy 2007 is rated for 11 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 36 Cuddy 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 36,0 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.