The Contender 40 Express 2012 vs Contender Center Console 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 100 hp, the Contender 40 Express 2012 has a 800-hp advantage over the Contender Center Console 2006's 300-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 40 Express 2012 carries 48 gallons versus 4 gallons in the Contender Center Console 2006. 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 40 Express 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Contender Center Console 2006 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Contender 40 Express 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Contender 40 Express 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 39,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Contender Center Console 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.