Both the Contender 35 Side 2011 and the Contender 35 Side Console 2009 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 Side 2011 at 35,2 ft versus Contender 35 Side Console 2009 at 35,2 ft. At 7 500 lbs and 7 500 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 750 hp for the Contender 35 Side 2011 and 750 hp for the Contender 35 Side Console 2009. 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 340 gal and 340 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.