2008 Contender 23 Open for sale in Hampton, Virginia

This 2008 Contender 23 Open is a serious fishing platform upgraded for the modern angler. The standout feature is the custom fold-down tower with full upper-station controls, providing a superior vantage point for sight fishing while allowing you to trailer the boat with ease. Powered by a 2022 Mercury Verado 300XL, this vessel cruises at 35 knots and handles the roughest chop with its legendary 24.5-degree deep-V hull. Fully equipped with a 50-gallon livewell, recessed bow rails, and a 2015 Venture dual-axle aluminum trailer, she is ready for the tournament trail or a day of diving.

Storage & Fishability

The Contender 23 is famous for its "clean deck" layout, hiding massive storage underneath the floorboards. The forward fish box provides 140-gallon insulated in-deck storage, large enough for offshore species like Tuna or Wahoo. The livewell is a 50-gallon in-deck unit with high-volume plumbing typical of the 23 Open model. Two additional forward lockers provide dry storage for gear, safety equipment, and tackle. Rod storage includes 4 to 6 heavy-duty gunwale-mounted holders, 4 rocket launchers on the T-top, and multiple vertical rod racks flanking the center console.

Hull & Construction

The hull design features a 24.5-degree deadrise at the transom. This "Deep-V" design is aggressive, allowing the boat to maintain speed in 3-to-4-foot seas where other 23-footers would have to throttle back. Construction uses hand-laid biaxial and triaxial fiberglass with a high-density foam-cored transom in a "two-piece" hull construction, which maximizes cockpit space.