When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Contender 32 Fish Around 2012 and the Contender 32 LS 2012 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Contender 32 Fish Around 2012 at 32,5 ft versus Contender 32 LS 2012 at 32,7 ft. At 1 145 lbs and 1 156 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 700 hp, the Contender 32 LS 2012 has a 100-hp advantage over the Contender 32 Fish Around 2012's 600-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 245 gal and 242 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
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 32 LS 2012 and its 700-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Contender 32 Fish Around 2012 with its 600-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.