Matching a modified vee Contender 36 Fish Around 2007 against a deep vee Contender 36 Open 2010 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 Fish Around 2007 at 36,0 ft versus Contender 36 Open 2010 at 36,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Contender 36 Fish Around 2007 tips the scales at 145 lbs — 139 lbs more than the Contender 36 Open 2010 at 6 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 36 Open 2010 has a 150-hp advantage over the Contender 36 Fish Around 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 Fish Around 2007 carries 42 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Contender 36 Open 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 11 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.