Matching a modified vee Contender 23 Open 2007 against a deep vee Contender 35 Tournament 2011 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 35 Tournament 2011 measures 34,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 11,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contender 23 Open 2007 at 23,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 35 Tournament 2011 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 111 lbs less than the Contender 23 Open 2007 at 24 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 1 050 hp, the Contender 35 Tournament 2011 has a 650-hp advantage over the Contender 23 Open 2007's 400-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 15 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Contender 35 Tournament 2011. 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 35 Tournament 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Contender 23 Open 2007 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 35 Tournament 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 35 Tournament 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 34,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 23 Open 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.