Matching a deep vee Contender 35 ST 2013 against a modified vee Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Contender 35 ST 2013 at 34,8 ft versus Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 at 36,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 tips the scales at 1 375 lbs — 1 240 lbs less than the Contender 35 ST 2013 at 135 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 1 050 hp, the Contender 35 ST 2013 has a 150-hp advantage over the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007's 900-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 36 Cuddy 2007 carries 41 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Contender 35 ST 2013. 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 36 Cuddy 2007 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Contender 35 ST 2013 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 36,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 35 ST 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.