When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Contender 35 LS 2013 and the Contender 35 Side 2011 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 35 LS 2013 at 34,8 ft versus Contender 35 Side 2011 at 35,2 ft. At 135 lbs and 75 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 1 050 hp, the Contender 35 LS 2013 has a 300-hp advantage over the Contender 35 Side 2011's 750-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 31 gal and 34 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 10 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 35 LS 2013 and its 1 050-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Contender 35 Side 2011 with its 750-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.