open CC- 21' Contender vs Whaler vs who else

[CC Rider]

I've already owned "value" CC, gonna go all the way this time. What other brands are considered top-of-the-foodchain for cc 21-23'?

Edited January 29, 2011 by CC Rider

[Jassman]

many nice boats in this size. My experience has been with a 23 Contender, 23 Regulator and my favorite..23 Albury Brothers. Softest ride between 20-35mph in 2-3's. The keel is extremely sharp which lets her cut through the waves like a hot knife through butter. Then the water is pushed further down do to the built in spray rails, and then towards the rounded bilge...you will be able to see this in some of the pics. Boat is built for a lifetime.. Another nice boat is the Onslow Bay..This boat is the ska champ for the last few years. Its made to go fast, has a 24' degree deadrise, and will take anything you give her. Its close to 27' in size. Best thing to do is go to Miami and catch as many rides and talk with the builders.. Here is a few pics of my Albury. Good Luck Jeff.

[CC Rider]

She's a beauty alright! Thanks or reply.

[Ludicrous]

Jassman hit them all. The Albury is a battleship. Add a 21 Paramount if you want a fast boat.

[Sunbury]

If you look at the 21 Contender get the optional bait well. The standard bait well in the floor about a foot forward of the transom. A pain to get bait out of and keeps the floor wet under certain conditions. The 23 is the same unless you go with the tourney which is really a 25.

Edgewater, Onslow and Seacraft would be on my short list.

[randysharp]

Edgewater, Everglades, Jupiter, Pursuit, & Regulator - These companies will make sure you are a happy boater.

[edsmith03]

It's difficult to make a recommendation based on your question, because there's a LOT of differences between boats in the size range... Are you looking for a fishing boat? A family boat? A true offshore boat? Or a compromise-style boat?

I grew up on Whalers, and the first boat that I bought as an adult was a brand new 17' Montauk. I sold the Montauk, bought a 26' Panga. Loved the Panga, but I fish a lot with my wife and the kids, so it was a PITA to trailer, launch, retrieve, wash, maintain, etc. by myself... Decided to sell the boat and look for something in the 20 - 22' range. I wanted to find a smaller, easily trailered boat that was still offshore capable (about 90% of my fishing is offshore) and that would get us home if the conditions worsened...

I looked at a bunch of boats in the size range. In my opinion, the 21' Whaler Outrage is RIDICULOUSLY over priced. While I didn't haggle or get into exact details, I was quoted over $80k for the boat with a 250 Verado and trailer. I rode on the boat, and was not impressed with its performance in even slightly rough conditions. At rest, it was excellent. I wasn't a fan of the layout of the boat, at all, either. It was very well appointed, and for a family boat, it might have been ok, but again, the price was huge....

I looked at a LOT of other boats in the size range from 20-22'. From lower priced boats (Dusky, Key West, etc.) to higher priced boats (Everglades, Edgewater, Bluewater, etc.) and I eventually wound up with a 2011 Contender 21 with a Yamaha F250B (with the Contender 23T console option). Out the door, I was over $30k less than the 21' BW Outrage, and in the general range (actually a little under in most cases) of the price of other comparable boats (Bluewater, etc.). I am very happy with my choice, but the Contender is certainly not a family cruiser.... It's a very simply laid-out fishing boat. For that purpose, it suits my needs absolutely perfectly....

I didn't really look at them, but I also really like the Albury Brother's boats, as well. Very simple, beautiful, well-built boats, for sure...

Bottom line is, I don't think there's really any bad apples out there in the top-tier category of boats in this size range... If I were you, I'd go to the boat show and crawl all over every boat and see which ones you like and don't like... That's the only way you're really going to know..

[JOEKEN]

All the boats you mentioned are nice. I had to choose last summer and had it narrowed down to the Bluewater 2150 or the Contender 21. I chose the Bluewater. Here is a couple of pics of mine.

[Lprizman]

that blue water package is sweet!!!

[JOEKEN]

that blue water package is sweet!!!

Thanks! It is sitting at the Bluewater section at the Miami Show if you want to check it out.