Skip to main content

Contender 44CB Review

Let's take a closer look at the Contender 44CB in this boat review from Florida Sportsman

Contender 44CB Review

The Contender 44CB hull design pushes the envelope in terms of speed, comfort, and rough weather performance.

The boom in popularity of larger center consoles has not been lost on Contender Boats by a long shot. The introduction of the 44ST was met with immediate admiration and soon after the 44FA followed. While the former caters to the hardcore fisherman, the latter adds comfort features and amenities geared toward anglers who like to travel abroad and spend nights on the boat. Both have been extremely popular models for this brand.

Contender fans who lie somewhere in the middle between these two camps asked for a model that allows space to go below deck and rest on distant overnight and canyon excursions, yet one that doesn’t sacrifice quite as much workspace as the 44FA layout does. Never one to disappoint, Contender answered the call with their all new 44CB (Canyon Berth) model.

By bringing back the forward seating arrangement of the ST and replacing the full sized sun lounge of the FA with a more compact seat design, the 360-degree efficiency forward is returned to a more work friendly design on the CB. The cabin design offers comfort similar to that found on the FA simply tightened up a bit down below to trade for fishing room on deck.

The tried and true cockpit design of each previous 44 remains in the 44CB including matching 55-gallon transom live wells with the ability to add more well space below deck. A pair of 100-gallon fish boxes to port and starboard flank a roomy access compartment to your pump room and all bilge mechanical systems for maintenance below deck.

Two rows of seating for six passengers behind the Contender Captain’s Helm offers a comfortable spot for each of your crew to relax during a long range run to distant offshore canyon grounds. The rear facing retractable mezzanine style seats double as a large cooler and tackle center below and in the seat back.

The 44CB is the result of some very specific fine tuning on the part of Contender to satisfy the demands of anglers competing at the very highest levels in the sport of offshore fishing. Adding enough comfort to allow your crew to rest intermittently during a multi-day hardcore canyon session enables serious crews to level up their game.

Contender 44CB Specifications:

  • Length: 43' 10”
  • Beam: 12’
  • Draft: 27”
  • Deadrise: 22.7 degrees
  • Weight: 19,600 pounds (fish ready)
  • Max HP: 1700
  • Fuel: 600 gallons
  • MSRP: $835,921 with Quad Yamaha 425s

contenderboats.com

Contender 44CB Specifications
The maximum rated horsepower of 1700 is represented here via Quad- XTO 425 Yamahas.
Contender 44CB Specifications
Across the transom the 44CB features matching 55-gallon Sea Chest supplied live wells.
Contender 44CB seating
Seating for six behind the Contender Captain’s Helm offers a comfortable resting place for long rides to distant water.
Contender 44CB Specs
The walk-up room to this forward bulkhead provides convenient access to your anchor windlass.
Contender 44CB deck
Contender forward seating smartly integrates into the gunwales creating much needed work room on deck.
Contender 44CB helm
The helm face on this 44CB allows space for a pair of large MFD electronics units while still providing an entry point into the cabin below.
Contender 44CB price
At the aft facing point of the helm seating you’ll find a large retractable fiberglass ice box along with a convenient tackle center.
Contender 44CB seating
Three across deluxe Llebroc helm seats are independently adjustable and feature thick, comfortable upholstery.
Contender 44CB features
A Nitetrack night vision unit offers added safety for those long pre-dawn offshore runs.
Contender 44CB cooler storage
The space within each forward seating module offers lots of dry storage.
Contender 44CB review
Another cavernous storage compartment is located in the foredeck to dry secure the largest of your tackle and equipment.
Contender 44CB cabin
The cabin space below on the 44CB might be the perfect balance of accommodations below and above deck fishability.
Contender 44CB review
A comfortable berth for resting and an electric head and sink make overnight trips more comfortable for your crew.
Contender 44CB review
Like any serious fishing machine, the 44CB offers someplace to stow a rod within arm’s reach no matter where you’re standing.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

How to Buy and Rig a River Fishing Kayak

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Power or Paddle? Bonafide PWR129

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

It's a Skiff, It's a Kayak: Bonafide SKF117

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Hobie Mirage Lynx to the Next Level

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Hobie Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight Packed with Features

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Extend Your Range in the Salt Marsh

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Florida's Capital Fishing

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 FULLY RIGGED Fishing Machine

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Mounting Forward-Facing Sonar on A Kayak: Mounts, Scanning Applications and More!

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

On The Water with Old Town: Bass Fishing at PRIVATE GEORGIA LAKE

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

DECKED-OUT Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 Complete WALK-THROUGH

Kayak Fishing Fun Senior Editor Thomas Allen is joined by Old Town's Brand Evangelist Ryan Lilly to work some magic in b...
Videos

Dreambuild: Old Town ePDL Gets Rigged to the Hilt

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use