Matching a deep vee Contender 28 Sport 2012 against a modified vee Contender 31 Cuddy 2007 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 31 Cuddy 2007 measures 32,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contender 28 Sport 2012 at 28,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 31 Cuddy 2007 tips the scales at 1 065 lbs — 1 018 lbs less than the Contender 28 Sport 2012 at 47 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 600 hp for the Contender 28 Sport 2012 and 600 hp for the Contender 31 Cuddy 2007. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Contender 28 Sport 2012 carries 185 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Contender 31 Cuddy 2007. 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 31 Cuddy 2007 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Contender 28 Sport 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 31 Cuddy 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 31 Cuddy 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 28 Sport 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.