Matching a modified vee Contender 27 Open 2007 against a deep vee Contender 35 Tournament 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 35 Tournament 2013 measures 34,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 31,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contender 27 Open 2007 at 3,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 35 Tournament 2013 tips the scales at 135 lbs — 102 lbs less than the Contender 27 Open 2007 at 33 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 35 Tournament 2013 has a 550-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 21 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Contender 35 Tournament 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 35 Tournament 2013 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Contender 27 Open 2007 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 35 Tournament 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 35 Tournament 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 34,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 27 Open 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.