[QUOTE]Originally posted by Trayder:
[QB]Threegills-
Contender cores above the waterline, not below. Just confirmed with Contender. If you look at the process you mention on the site they are adding the coring to the hull sides ABOVE not below the waterline. (I am not sure you realize the boat in the picture is on its side)
Original SeaCrafts used Foam cored stringers, do you feel as though this is a bad thing?
I strongly disagree with your opinion that a heavy boat is a better boat, having looked at and test ridden Regulator 26's and Jupiter 27's and an older Intrepid 26 (the lightest of all 4) in my boat search I still fell I made the best choice with my 25, ride wise. It is unquestionable the fit and finish on a Regulator, Intrepid and a Jupiter is superior to that of a Contender. As for your friend's Contender coming apart I do not know how he drives or what he has run into but unlike most boats Contender glasses the Deck cap to the hull and inner liner:
Dave Pascoe, The surveyor,
( Dave Pascoe's Contender 25 review ) did a review on a Contender 25 years back. He even states the hull bottom is solid glass, the resin used is Vinylester. In reading his unbiased review or taking a look at mine or the 12+ Contenders I know of up here and have run on I feel it would take a wave yeilding a chainsaw to break the deck cap joint on a Contender. Your friend must have met that wave or have one really messed up boat
