The Contender 27 Open 2007 is a modified-V design and the Contender 28 Tournament 2012 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Contender 27 Open 2007 at 30,0 ft versus Contender 28 Tournament 2012 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 28 Tournament 2012 tips the scales at 4 700 lbs - 1 400 lbs less than the Contender 27 Open 2007 at 3 300 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 600 hp, the Contender 28 Tournament 2012 has a 100-hp advantage over the Contender 27 Open 2007's 500-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 27 Open 2007 carries 210 gallons versus 185 gallons in the Contender 28 Tournament 2012. 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 27 Open 2007 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Contender 28 Tournament 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 27 Open 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 27 Open 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 30,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 28 Tournament 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.