Boat Review - Contender 25T

This entry level boat in the Contender Tournament Series lineup is modeled after the original 25-foot classic that put Contender on the map and for good reason, it was then and still is a boat that anglers love. The wave parting 24.5-degree deadrise bottom design has been a tried and true formula for delivering the soft dry ride we've all come to expect from this brand. For the boater looking to build a serious fishing platform with all of the features necessary to be competitive in the offshore arena, who also need a boat that will trailer easily and isn't loaded down with unnecessary gadgets- the Contender 25T is a smart design.

The 25T is built using all of the same construction methods you'll find on her larger sisters and a look below the deck reveals the same stringer grid you'll find on the 39-footer. She is built to withstand some less than favorable sea conditions to keep you in the game more days than on the dock. This deck layout is pure function from a fishing standpoint thanks to the clean uncluttered space available 360-degrees around the entire boat. A perfect design for kite drifting in the trough utilizing a larger footprint- both upwind and downwind of the boat. In the bow, below deck she features a very roomy insulated fish box large enough to handle limit catches of pelagics or bottom fish. Two additional boxes are located below the cockpit deck for more fish or gear storage. A large hatch in the center cockpit provides an easy access point to service bilge systems such as through-hull fittings and pumps. A tournament sized live well is located across the transom for easy access to your live baits. Contender rigged our test boat with the old school original Rocket Launcher/Leaning Post which really adds to the classic look of this model. Cooler storage beneath, rod holders across the backrest, and a tackle tray under the seat cushion worked back in the day and it continues to get the job done. A noteworthy upgrade to the original 25T is the newly improved console design. Contender reworked the entire look of their console on this model for 2017 building a beautifully styled, more streamlined shape with a curvy aerodynamic helm face that really dresses the boat up. The newer look adds room to walk around as well. A forward console seat is now built into the front as well with an insulated box below it. A side entry to the console provides access to an additional area for dry storage and helm systems/electronics are serviceable through this space as well. The 25T is a boat well worth considering if you want to get your start in serious blue water angling but aren't ready to push all of your chips into the center of the table quite yet.

Contender 25T Specifications:

Length: 25 feet 3 inches

Beam: 8 feet 6 inches

Draft: 18 inches

Deadrise: 24.5-Degrees

Weight: 4200 pounds 6250 pounds (Loaded)

Max HP: 400

Fuel: 178-Gallons

MSRP: $122,877.00