The Contender 27 Open 2007 is a modified-V design and the Contender 30 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 30 Tournament 2012 at 29,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 30 Tournament 2012 tips the scales at 9 250 lbs - 5 950 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 30 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 30 Tournament 2012 carries 265 gallons versus 210 gallons in the Contender 27 Open 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 9 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Contender 30 Tournament 2012 and its 600-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Contender 27 Open 2007 with its 500-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.