Matching a modified vee Contender 23 Tournament 2007 against a deep vee Contender 36 Fish 2013 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 Fish 2013 measures 36,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 11,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contender 23 Tournament 2007 at 25,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 23 Tournament 2007 tips the scales at 625 lbs — 480 lbs more than the Contender 36 Fish 2013 at 145 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 36 Fish 2013 has a 650-hp advantage over the Contender 23 Tournament 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 Tournament 2007 carries 175 gallons versus 42 gallons in the Contender 36 Fish 2013. 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 Fish 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Contender 23 Tournament 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 36 Fish 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 36 Fish 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 36,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 23 Tournament 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.