When you handle the wheel of a boat like the Contender 30 ST, you get a rush. A rush from the raw power, a rush from the sporty handling, and mostly a rush from the 60-plus MPH wind-blast that rips at your hair. Want to experience it for yourself? Grab a hair-dryer set on "high," point it at your forehead, and then click on the photoĀ below.

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Boat Test Notes

Concept

Build a serious fishing boat that offers seriously impressive performance.

Construction

-The fiberglass is hand-laid, and both balsa and PVC coring are utilized.

-Fuel tanks are foamed and glassed in place.

-Hatch hinges are full-length, and all the hardware on the 30 ST is thoroughly beefy.

Performance

-With a pair of F300 Yamaha four-stroke outboards, we 66 MPH. Forget about holding onto your hatā€”hold onto your hair.

-Fuel efficiency isĀ also impressive, topping out at 2.2 MPG at almost 30 MPH, and still providing 1.9 MPG at speeds of over 40 MPH.

Handling

-Despite being aerated by twin steps, this hull maintains a firm grip through lock-to-lock turns at high speeds.

-The super-deep deep-V hull eats right through waves.

Unique Features

-Big aft fishboxes and a massive box in the bowdeck provide stowage for catches of all sizes, right up to hundred-pound-plus tuna.

-80 gallons of livewell capacity means there will be no shortage of live baits.

-Forward seats are designed so anglers can still work the bow gunwales; gaffing or netting from the bow is a piece of cake.

If youĀ want more information on the Contender 30 ST,Ā visit Contender.Ā Or, check out theseĀ Contender 30 ST listings.

Here are some other Contender reviews:

Contender 28 Sport: Video Boat Review
Contender 24 Sport: Get Your Game On
Contender 39 ST: Triple Threat
Contender 27: Used Boat Review

SPECIFICATIONS
Length29'8"
Beam9'6"
Draft (hull)1'7"
Deadrise24.5 degrees
Displacement5,450 lbs
Fuel capacity265 gal.

Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
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