Matching a modified vee Contender 23 Open 2007 against a deep vee Contender 38 Express 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Contender 38 Express 2009 measures 39,9 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 16,9 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 38 Express 2009 tips the scales at 16 422 lbs — 16 398 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 1 100 hp, the Contender 38 Express 2009 has a 700-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 38 Express 2009 carries 48 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Contender 23 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 38 Express 2009 is rated for 12 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 38 Express 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 38 Express 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 39,9 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.