Contender 25 Bay
Since its founding year in 1982, Contender Boats has been crafting high-performance offshore center-consoles. Thirty years later, after receiving request after request from owners and admirers to extend its boatbuilding prowess to the bay, Contender created the 25 Bay.
The main goal behind the design of this boat was to provide anglers with a vessel that would allow them to effectively fish a variety of situations. So whether you are a redfish tournament angler, a hard-core tarpon seeker or a casual fisherman looking for a boat that works for family outings, make sure to take a hard look at Contender’s 25 Bay.
Design and Construction
The 25 Bay was a partnership between Contender’s in-house engineering team and John Cosker of Mystic Powerboats. The incorporation of Cosker’s twin-step-bottom design with a 15.5-degree-deadrise hull ensured that the boat would be able to run in only a foot of water but still be capable of tackling blue water with ease. The curved topsides of the hull were added as an aesthetic touch, but also to reduce hull slap, making it easier to sneak up on spooky
backcountry species.
The 25 Bay is constructed using carefully engineered laminate schedules to ensure the lightest and strongest craft possible. This includes the use of vinylester resin and balsa coring in the hull. The high-density foam transom is designed to hold up to 350 hp and includes recessed trim-tab pockets.
The backbone of the boat is a one-piece solid-glass structural grid, which provides lightweight high-strength support. The boat is put together using mechanical fasteners and Plexus structural adhesive, which is known for its superior bonding characteristics. The result is a rock-solid vessel with the weight, speed and draft you would expect from Contender’s first bay boat.
Running and Fishability
Because of the twin-step-hull configuration, Contender’s 25 Bay runs extremely flat and is quick to jump on plane. With the use of a jack plate, the boat can get on plane quickly in very shallow water too — a critical feature of any flats boat. However, the 25 Bay is no slouch when the going gets rough. The high-performance hull and 25-foot-6-inch overall length work together to deliver a very smooth and dry ride.
Among the boat’s most impressive characteristics, however, may be its speed and efficiency. Its top end is in the high 60s with the single Yamaha F300, with very little fuel burn, and the optional F350 will appeal to those who feel the need for speed but still want to be conscious about their fuel consumption.
In keeping with Contender’s tradition of building hard-core fishing boats, the 25 Bay offers all of the amenities you would expect in a bigger bay boat. The large casting platforms forward and aft provide ample room for several fishermen, without crowding. And the use of covering boards and bolster pads along the full length of the cockpit means that you will never beat up your knees while fighting a fish from inside the boat.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA……25’6″
BEAM……8’6″
DRAFT……12″
WEIGHT……3,200 lbs.
(ready to fish with F300)
MAX HP……350
MSRP……$78,358
Contender Boats / Homestead, Florida / 800-645-2906 / www.contenderoffshore.com
