27 Tournament

Introduced in 2008, the second-generation Contender 27 Tournament has more beam and storage than her predecessor, the Contender 27 Open, and her beefed up transom is designed to handle the extra weight of high-horsepower four-stroke outboards. In other respects, however, the two boats are very similar—both have the same clutter-free single-level deck layout, wide forward gunwales, and an aggressive deep-V hull with 24.5 degrees of transom deadrise. Several console designs were available and the list of optional features was extensive. (Note that Contenders are semicustom boats and no two are exactly alike.) Standard features include an integrated dive platform, insulated in-deck fish boxes (2 forward, 2 aft), forward in-floor rod storage, tilt steering, vertical console rod holders, twin 40-gallon transom livewells, console head compartment, anchor locker, raw-water washdown, recessed bow rails, cockpit bolsters, deluxe leaning post, front console seat, and K-Plane trim tabs. Fit and finish is second to none. The Contender 27 is a seriously fast ride—close to 55 knots wide open with twin Yamaha F250 outboards.