Build Your Contender Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Semi-Custom Sportfishing Boat

Build Your Contender Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Your Semi-Custom Sportfishing Boat

Blog Article

For those who love the thrill of the chase on the open waters, owning a sportfishing boat that’s tailored to their needs can make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a recreational fisherman, the right boat can elevate your experience and provide countless memories. Contender Boats, a renowned name in the sportfishing industry, offers a semi-custom approach to boat building, allowing you to design a vessel that suits your specific preferences.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps of designing your dream Contender sportfishing boat, ensuring you create a craft that’s as unique as your fishing adventures.

1. Define Your Purpose and Usage

The first step in building your semi-custom sportfishing boat is determining its primary purpose. Are you targeting big-game fish offshore or fishing in more coastal and shallow waters? Your boat’s design, size, and features will vary depending on these needs.

- Offshore Fishing: If you plan to fish in deep waters far from shore, you’ll need a boat that’s built for handling rough seas, with an emphasis on stability, speed, and long-range capability.
- Inshore/Coastal Fishing: For inshore anglers, a smaller, more maneuverable boat with a shallower draft is ideal. This design offers easier access to bays, flats, and estuaries.

Knowing the type of fishing you’ll be doing—and how often—will help you prioritize the boat’s features accordingly.

2. Choose the Right Size

Contender Boats offer a wide range of models from smaller center consoles to larger, more luxurious sportfishing vessels. The size of your boat will significantly impact its performance, comfort, and storage capabilities.

- Smaller Boats (22-30 feet): These are perfect for inshore fishing or shorter offshore trips. They are easier to handle, quicker to launch, and provide excellent fuel efficiency.
- Mid-Size Boats (30-40 feet): Ideal for serious offshore anglers who need more space, better comfort, and improved handling in rough waters. These boats also offer more room for additional features like extra storage, entertainment systems, and even sleeping quarters.
- Large Boats (40+ feet): These are designed for experienced anglers who want top-tier performance and luxury. Larger boats provide superior stability and ample space for a full crew, tackle storage, and onboard amenities.

Consider how many people you’ll typically have aboard and how much space you'll need for equipment, gear, and any comforts.

3. Select Your Hull and Material

Contender Boats are known for their high-performance hulls. The material and construction process you choose will play a major role in the boat’s overall durability, ride quality, and fuel efficiency.

- Fiberglass Hulls: Contender’s boats are constructed using high-quality fiberglass, offering a balance between durability, weight, and fuel efficiency. Fiberglass is also low-maintenance and resistant to corrosion from saltwater.
- Reinforced Hulls: For enhanced strength, especially in rough waters, Contender boats are built with reinforced fiberglass layers and foam cores. These materials improve the hull's integrity without adding unnecessary weight.

The hull design, such as the vee-shape or catamaran-style hulls, will also affect how the boat performs in different water conditions. A deeper V-hull, for instance, provides a smoother ride in choppy waters.

4. Customize Your Layout

One of the advantages of choosing a semi-custom Contender is the ability to tailor the boat’s layout to your needs. Consider how you’ll use the space and what amenities are essential.

- Center Console vs. Dual Console: The center console design offers 360-degree access around the boat, which is ideal for fishing. A dual console provides more shelter from the elements and additional seating but can reduce deck space.
- Seating Options: Think about how many passengers you'll typically have and the type of seating they’ll need. Contender boats offer a variety of seating configurations, including leaning posts, captain’s chairs, and aft-facing seats.
- Tackle Storage: Having ample tackle storage is crucial for organized fishing trips. Customizing your tackle lockers, rod holders, and bait stations ensures easy access to everything you need while keeping your boat neat.
- Fishboxes and Livewells: These are vital for storing catch and bait. Depending on the type of fishing you do, you may need larger or multiple fishboxes and livewells.
- Cockpit Space: Depending on your fishing style, the cockpit can be tailored with additional deck space for fighting fish or extra storage compartments for gear.

5. Select Your Power

Choosing the right power option is essential for performance, speed, and efficiency. Contender Boats are typically powered by outboard motors, with a wide variety of horsepower options to suit different boat sizes and intended uses.

- Single vs. Twin Outboards: A larger boat (over 30 feet) may require twin engines for better power, control, and redundancy. Twin engines are particularly helpful for offshore fishing, providing reliability in case of engine failure.
- Engine Power: Match the horsepower with your boat's weight and intended use. A boat built for offshore fishing will require more powerful motors (350+ hp) compared to one intended for inshore use (250 hp or lower).

Be sure to consult with your Contender dealer or manufacturer about the ideal engine specifications based on your boat's layout, size, and your typical fishing conditions.

6. Advanced Electronics and Technology

Modern sportfishing is all about technology, and a Contender boat can be equipped with cutting-edge electronics that improve both navigation and your fishing experience.

- Fish Finders and Sonar: For serious anglers, investing in high-quality sonar and fish finders is a must. Brands like Garmin, Simrad, and Raymarine offer top-tier fish-finding technology that helps you locate your catch quickly.
- Navigation Systems: GPS systems, chartplotters, and radar are essential for offshore navigation. Integrated systems that combine GPS, radar, and sonar offer real-time information that can be critical for both safety and catching fish.
- Entertainment Systems: For leisurely cruises or entertaining guests, adding an onboard stereo, satellite radio, or Wi-Fi system can make the experience more enjoyable.

7. Consider Comfort and Amenities

While fishing may be the main focus, comfort and convenience are also important, especially for long trips. Consider adding some luxurious touches to make your boat an oasis on the water.

- Bow Seating and Sun Pads: For a more relaxing experience, opt for bow seating or cushioned sun pads where you can lounge between catches.
- Cabins and Restrooms: Larger Contender models can be equipped with small cabins or even marine toilets. These features are perfect for longer offshore trips, ensuring you and your crew stay comfortable.
- Shade and Weather Protection: T-tops and hardtops offer shade and weather protection, keeping you and your gear safe from the elements.

8. Final Touches and Aesthetics

Once you’ve finalized the technical aspects of your boat, it's time to think about aesthetics. Contender offers a range of color options for the hull, deck, and upholstery. Customizing these elements allows you to create a boat that’s visually appealing and unique.

- Custom Paint Jobs: Choose from a variety of colors or go for a custom design to make your boat stand out.
- Upholstery: Select materials that are both stylish and durable, Build your contender such as UV-resistant fabrics or marine-grade leather.
- Branding and Logos: Add personalized logos or decals to your boat to give it a unique identity.

9. Test Your Design

Before finalizing your build, it’s crucial to review your design with your Contender dealer and, if possible, test out a model with similar features. Some dealers may offer a sea trial to help you gauge how your semi-custom boat will perform in real-world conditions.

10. Enjoy Your Boat

Once your Contender boat is built and ready, it’s time to take it on the water and enjoy everything you’ve created. From memorable fishing trips to peaceful days on the water, your semi-custom sportfishing boat will be a source of pride and enjoyment for years to come.

Conclusion

Building your own sportfishing boat with Contender’s semi-custom options is an exciting journey that involves thoughtful consideration of your needs, preferences, and the type of fishing you do. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be well on your way to designing a vessel that’s perfectly suited for your fishing adventures, ensuring you have the ultimate fishing experience every time you set out to sea.