Contender 23 Open 2008 vs Contender Center Console 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Contender 23 Open 2008 or the Contender Center Console 2006?

The Contender Center Console 2006 is the longer of the two at 33,0 feet overall. The Contender 23 Open 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 10,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Contender 23 Open 2008 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Contender Center Console 2006 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Contender 23 Open 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Contender Center Console 2006 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Contender 23 Open 2008 or the Contender Center Console 2006?

The Contender 23 Open 2008 has the bigger tank at 15 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Contender Center Console 2006. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Contender 23 Open 2008 and Contender Center Console 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Contender 23 Open 2008 and the Contender Center Console 2006 are built by Contender. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Contender 23 Open 2008 vs Contender Center Console 2006

Contender

Contender 23 Open 2008

2008

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Contender

Contender Center Console 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Contender 23 Open 2008 vs Contender Center Console 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Contender 23 Open 2008 vs Contender Center Console 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 400 hp, the Contender 23 Open 2008 has a 100-hp advantage over the Contender Center Console 2006'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 2008 carries 15 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Contender Center Console 2006. 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 Center Console 2006 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Contender 23 Open 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender Center Console 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Contender Center Console 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 33,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 23 Open 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeContender

Makenot available

Model23 Open

Modelnot available

Model Year2008

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 3 in

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches99

Beam - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail18 in

Draft [max] - Detail2.00 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.46

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches18

Draft [max] - Inches24

Weight - Detail2,400 lbs. Ready to fish: 4,750 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2154.56

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.475

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet23

Length - Feet33

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in

Length overall - Detail33.00 ft

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Meters10.06

Length overall - Inches279

Length overall - Inches396

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1514.16

Fuel tank capacity - Gal15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeoutboard

Engine max400 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeYAMAHA

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

Operational Info

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity5

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Contender 23 Open 2008 vs Contender Center Console 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Contender 23 Open 2008 or the Contender Center Console 2006?

The Contender Center Console 2006 is the longer of the two at 33,0 feet overall. The Contender 23 Open 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 10,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Contender 23 Open 2008 is rated to a maximum of 400 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Contender Center Console 2006 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Contender 23 Open 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Contender Center Console 2006 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Contender 23 Open 2008 or the Contender Center Console 2006?

The Contender 23 Open 2008 has the bigger tank at 15 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Contender Center Console 2006. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 33–55 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Contender 23 Open 2008 and Contender Center Console 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Contender 23 Open 2008 and the Contender Center Console 2006 are built by Contender. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Contender 23 Open 2008 full specs ← Contender Center Console 2006 full specs