Matching a modified vee Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 against a deep vee Contender 38 Express 2008 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 36 Cuddy 2007 at 36,0 ft versus Contender 38 Express 2008 at 39,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 38 Express 2008 tips the scales at 16 422 lbs — 15 047 lbs less than the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 at 1 375 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 1 100 hp, the Contender 38 Express 2008 has a 200-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 38 Express 2008 carries 48 gallons versus 41 gallons in the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007. 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 38 Express 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 38 Express 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 38 Express 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 39,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender 36 Cuddy 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.