Ride Compareson ?
 

I came across a post about a 21' Contender on THT and someone said he had a Seacraft (21), a Mako (22B) and Hydrsport 24' and claimed none came even close to Contender's ride.
So what are some of the best riding boats in the 21' to 23' range and how would they compare to our beloved Seacraft ? I was under the impression that Seacrafts were the ultimate ride !

21' Contender rides great . It's very, very "tippy" or tender, is a 2 piece design, has zero storage, and with baitwell in deck you're always bending for bait. Ride them all. We're back to the four boat theory as there is no perfect one.

I don't think the THT poster was talking about the Moesley Seacraft 21. I think Seacraft made a 21 much later which was basicly a stretched 20, much smaller boat. I'd readily believe that the 21 Contender has a better head sea ride than the later Seacraft 21, but might be very different in other types of seas or especially in a drift.

I always wanted a 21 Contender but just couldn't bring myself to pay so much for a 21. I ended up having a Paramount 21 built to spec and was very happy with it. Not a whole lot of freeboard but made a great little dive boat that I would regularly take offshore 40+ miles without a worry.

I have heard the 21 Contender is real squirrely in a following sea..best ride in a 21-23??? I think a lot on this topic is just opinion based, what one guy loves another guy hates soooo...

The newer 21 is more of a short 23 than a stretched 20

ride is relative...

example:
the only boat you've been in is a 17 whaler - someone takes you for a ride in a 20 grady white - you're gonna believe that grady rides the best until you get on a 23 sea craft,then,you get a ride on a 31 contender...it continues....


boat owners NEVER tell the truth concerning 2 things:

ride and speed - both are exaggerated drastically.example,my boat will run 25kts through 5' seas,that's a commonly made claim - reality is,the "seas" are a gentle swell of less than 3' and the speed is 20mph...

from my experience,the contenders are a well made,solid,soft riding hull - I am not a fan of the in deck livewells...

again,my opinion may not match another's -doesn't mean one's right and one's wrong...it's more of a "taste" - like color on a hull...

To paraphrase Carl (Moesly) "A boat is a lot like a woman...You like the one your with"

Now that may not be exact, but I think you get the drift...;)

You sure that wasn't Stephan Stills?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH3ruuml-R4

I have been on a 20ft Seacraft (non potter) so its not comparable to my 23 Contender.
My boat rides well but like everyone else says its an opinion.

There are issues with every boat but the size of mine is a great compromise to go offshore and do inshore fishing.
The build quality is excellent (1996 hull) and it has ample storage.