Matching a modified vee Contender 31 Cuddy 2007 against a deep vee Contender 39 Tournament 2012 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 39 Tournament 2012 measures 39,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Contender 31 Cuddy 2007 at 32,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 31 Cuddy 2007 tips the scales at 1 065 lbs — 911 lbs more than the Contender 39 Tournament 2012 at 154 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 1 400 hp, the Contender 39 Tournament 2012 has a 800-hp advantage over the Contender 31 Cuddy 2007's 600-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 31 Cuddy 2007 carries 24 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Contender 39 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 39 Tournament 2012 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Contender 31 Cuddy 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 39 Tournament 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 39 Tournament 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 39,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 31 Cuddy 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.