Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Contender 32ST 2017 vs Contender 40 Express 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Contender 32ST 2017 vs Contender 40 Express 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The Contender 40 Express 2012 tops out at 1 100 hp. Engine specs for the Contender 32ST 2017 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Contender 40 Express 2012 carries 48 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Contender 32ST 2017. 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 40 Express 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Contender 32ST 2017 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 40 Express 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 40 Express 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 39,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 32ST 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail32.00 ft
Length overall - Detail39 ft. 11 in
Length - Feet32
Length - Feet39.92
Length overall - Meters9.75
Length overall - Meters12.17
Length overall - Inches384
Length overall - Inches479
Beamnot available
Beam11 ft. 8 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters3.56
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches14
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise22°
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail2 ft
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches24
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail12,700 lbs. 16,422 lbs. ready to fish
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg7448.89
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.16422
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1324.89
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1817
Engine makeYamaha
Engine makenot available
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Triple
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail480 gal
Engine maxnot available
Engine max1,100 hp
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeContender
Modelnot available
Model40 Express
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2012
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee