Looking for some guidance - 35 Contender side console

17055 Views 34 Replies 14 Participants Last post by striper2278, Feb 17, 2010

Bird of Prey

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2010

Hey guys. I'm considering making an offer on a 2005 35 Contender side console with twin 250 yami 4s. Anyone have any experience with a 35SC that they would be willing to share? I'm looking for the good, the bad and the ugly on this model. I understand the basic fishing advantages and disadvantages of an express boat vs a big center console, so I'm looking more for model specific comments. One concern is whether the twin 250s have enough juice for sucha big boat and how fuel efficient will she be in real world situations (dealer told me 1.6mpg at 35 mph cruise, but that sounds way optimistic). Another concern is whether the fish boxes are sufficient. It's a low hour boat (under 100 hours), and I have been advised that too little use on the engines can be as bad as too much. The boat is located near western Lake Erie. Anyone have any recommendations for a surveyor and a certified yami mechanic in Ohio? Sorry for so many questions, but I have about 20 more. Just trying to cover all my bases before I pull the trigger. Thanks in advance. I value the various opinions from the Barn community.

1 - 20 of 35 Posts

deep defiance

· #2 · Feb 13, 2010

Bop.

Way underpowered! Decent boat though.Even if you dont need the speed when it becomes a little sporty out there you will wish you had gone with other motor options.I would guess 250's @ being a 30-32mph cruise at best.Probably burning about 1-1.2 NMG at best.

chicken of the sea

· #3 · Feb 13, 2010

I don't have specific experience with the 35 but I have a 31 fisharound with twin 250 Yam 4 strokes and can tell you the dealer is being very optimistic with his fuel numbers. I get close to 1.5 mpg at 32 knots with a tournament load when conditions are right - but my boat is considerably smaller. If it is snotty out you will be closer to 1 to 1. The fish boxes on my rig are completely inadequate and I have taken care of that with some big some fish bags. Overall I think you will be happy with the ride, performance and quality of the Contender/Yamaha package but would suggest a marine survey.

swab1985

· #4 · Feb 13, 2010

The days you can actually use the "cruise" speed will be limited up here in NE!

Figure on get your teeth re-done each time if you think you can run 30knots in a typical 3-5' sea we get up here... Then see whats more economical

Other than that, I wouldnt worry about how fast your boat will run!

Brian

Gladiator

· #5 · Feb 14, 2010

Contender = 2 thumbs up....except for...

the side console....big thumbs down....PM me and I will fill you in on details with friends' rigs....can't compare the cc or the fisharound to the side console....she slips, she slides, and she is WET.

Tight Lines,

Frank

swab1985

· #6 · Feb 14, 2010

Frank, only 6 weeks to April, when you coming up next? Cant wait to make a run off!

I may be coming down to Florida in April we have to do some fishing if I do!

My 1st mate is going down to Jensen beach in mid march, whats up down there at that time?

Brian

deep defiance

· #7 · Feb 14, 2010

Swaby.

swab1985 said:
The days you can actually use the "cruise" speed will be limited up here in NE!

Figure on get your teeth re-done each time if you think you can run 30knots in a typical 3-5' sea we get up here... Then see whats more economical

Other than that, I wouldnt worry about how fast your boat will run!

Brian

Just stay in the upper bay where you belong.You have no business in the ocean.

You just don't understand how many days you can run at cruise speed on the ocean.Hell I run close to my top most days on the ocean.:wave:

swab1985

· #8 · Feb 14, 2010

Yeah yer' right

Bird of Prey

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 14, 2010

Gladiator said:
Contender = 2 thumbs up....except for...

the side console....big thumbs down....PM me and I will fill you in on details with friends' rigs....can't compare the cc or the fisharound to the side console....she slips, she slides, and she is WET.

Tight Lines,

Frank

PM sent. The wet part doesn't surprise me, but the slipping and sliding does. What power is on your friend's rig? I know the boat will cruise at a reasonable clip (30 knots or so), but I also know I won't be happy if it can't get out of its own way when I punch it. I also wonder whether the helm sits too far back and this effects visibility - especially if bow rise is a problem.

swab1985

· #10 · Feb 14, 2010

Deep Ignorance

deep defiance said:
Just stay in the upper bay where you belong.You have no business in the ocean. You just don't understand how many days you can run at cruise speed on the ocean.Hell I run close to my top most days on the ocean.:wave:

Haha

:wave:

deep defiance

· #11 · Feb 14, 2010

Brian.

The op comes on here and asks a serious question about a boat that he wants to buy and you insult all of us and him by saying that in the NE you cannot use the boat at cruise speed or you will need your teeth re-done on every outing???Do you have any experience with Contender? I think not. Thats what I call ignorant.Just because it's not a conv.sport fish doesnt mean it's worthless.:thumbsdown:

swab1985 said:
The days you can actually use the "cruise" speed will be limited up here in NE!

Figure on get your teeth re-done each time if you think you can run 30knots in a typical 3-5' sea we get up here... Then see whats more economical

Other than that, I wouldnt worry about how fast your boat will run!

Brian

swab1985

· #12 · Feb 14, 2010

Mike!

It's my opinion!!! I have spent many days up here in the NE fishing! I spent many days fishing elsewhere in the world! This is the Atlantic, not the the Pacific! We don't see weeks upon weeks of PERFECT weather up here!

If you look at 8 out of 10 boats on average fishing the NE canyons, can you tell me why 80% of the boats are large sportfisherman/ convertibles

????

Brian

deep defiance

· #13 · Feb 14, 2010

Brian.

Does this pertain to the original OP's question about a 35 Contender?????? I will start a seperate thread for you on why there are more CC's fishing the Canyons nowadays than Conv Sportys so you can argue with your self!!!:thumbsup:

swab1985

· #14 · Feb 14, 2010 (Edited)

Mike. I'm sorry, I dont wanna persuade certain buyers from buyin what they want! I was just stating what I believe is the most effecient up here in the NE...

Brian

Bird of Prey

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 14, 2010

No offense taken Brian. When I'm spending two nights back-to-back in the canyons, I want a big boat under my a$$. I simply have no interest in owning one. I can charter big diesel sportfisherman as often as I like. For me, at least at this time in my life, a 35 Contender is about as close to a sportfisherman as I'm interested in owning. I'm just not sure the 35 fits the bill.

So, back on track . . . Does anyone have any real world experience owning and/or fishing a 35 Contender? Any insights (about the boat in question) are welcome.

phillyfishing

· #16 · Feb 14, 2010

deep defiance said:
Just stay in the upper bay where you belong.You have no business in the ocean. You just don't understand how many days you can run at cruise speed on the ocean.Hell I run close to my top most days on the ocean.:wave:

i need to get on your rig even if its just for a ride.. sounds bad *** and i need to see how she is in 3-5's

aj bruno

· #17 · Feb 14, 2010

Sounds light on power.....

Bird of Prey

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 15, 2010

aj bruno said:
Sounds light on power.....

AJ- That's definitely one of my concerns. There are a few of them with trips, but most came from the factory with twins. New ones are generally rigged with twin 350s. My other big hang-up is whether the engines have gotten too little use. Sounds counter-intuitive, but I've been told this could result in some fuel system and injector problems if everything has been sitting too long. :huh:

1Bigtrouble

· #19 · Feb 15, 2010

Bird of Prey said:
No offense taken Brian. When I'm spending two nights back-to-back in the canyons, I want a big boat under my a$$. I simply have no interest in owning one. I can charter big diesel sportfisherman as often as I like. For me, at least at this time in my life, a 35 Contender is about as close to a sportfisherman as I'm interested in owning. I'm just not sure the 35 fits the bill.

So, back on track . . . Does anyone have any real world experience owning and/or fishing a 35 Contender? Any insights (about the boat in question) are welcome.

Hi, John.. glad to here your stepping up..

.. I have been on 31's and 32 Regs with 250s... the 31 contenders where border line respectable as far as power was concerned.. but the 32 Regulator was grossly under powered with the 250s.. I would think the 35 is a bigger boat then the 32 Reg.. so I would think that she would be way underpowered .. I could be wrong but thats my .02.. .. I would think the ideal power for the 35 contender would probably be pair of 350 yami's

. just like what the 32 Regs now have...best of luck with what ever you decide..:thumbsup:

Bird of Prey

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 16, 2010

1Bigtrouble said:
Hi, John.. glad to here your stepping up.... I have been on 31's and 32 Regs with 250s... the 31 contenders where border line respectable as far as power was concerned.. but the 32 Regulator was grossly under powered with the 250s.. I would think the 35 is a bigger boat then the 32 Reg.. so I would think that she would be way underpowered .. I could be wrong but thats my .02.. .. I would think the ideal power for the 35 contender would probably be pair of 350 yami's. just like what the 32 Regs now have...best of luck with what ever you decide..:thumbsup:

Harry- Whatever I get, I hope you come south and join me for a trip or two. Maybe early in the season before things heat-up up your way. :thumbsup:

1 - 20 of 35 Posts

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