Let’s take a closer look at the Contender 44FA in this boat review. Since the beginning of this company’s existence, Contender has been a dominant force in the competitive fishing world. The brand remains highly regarded for both exceptional big weather performance and fishability. The consumer demands to go further and faster in what are often less than hospitable sea conditions have been met head on with the new 44FA.
This design offers all of the performance traits of the original 44ST with some notable comfort upgrades added to accommodate anglers who spend the night offshore or weekends in the islands. A queen berth below along with galley sink, refrigerator/freezer, range top and fully enclosed head with a shower are available to take the edge off. Even if it’s just a break from the tropical heat in ice cold air- this cabin is comfortable without dominating valuable work space on deck.
At the helm, three-across custom Llebroc seating look across a pair of XL Garmin displays at the extremely wide and comfortable sun pad over the foredeck. Entry to the cabin below is via a rear-facing door to Port adjacent to the helm eliminating any obstruction around the console while underway. A second triple wide row of seating behind the Llebrocs is under the shade top and backs up to the cockpit tackle storage and rigging center. A wide Frigid Rigid cooler on a powered track offers rear facing seating when deployed and storage for lots of drinks and provisions.
The 44FA lacks nothing in the fishing department between matching 55-gallon livewells on the transom and a third Jacuzzi sized well in the cockpit deck- a 300-gallon insulated fish hold forward and another pair of 200-gallon boxes aft- she’s ready to compete at the highest level. Add your own personal touches to the deck layout and rigging and the possibilities are without limit.
Although the 44FA is rated for up to 2000 HP- our test model with triple 425 XTO power ran easily into the mid-sixties offering just under a mile per gallon at cruising speed. More importantly she was capable of delivering those numbers comfortably through some fresh winds and less than ideal conditions- another check in the plus column for a brand that always seems to turn up on the leaderboard.
Contender 44 FA
Length: 43'-10"
Beam: 12'-0"
Draft: 27”
Deadrise: 22.7 degree
Weight: 22,500 fish ready
Max HP: 2000
Fuel: 575
Base price: $633,103-
www.contenderboats.com
contenderboats.com/boats/44fa
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About the Show
What’s the Best Boat For You? Based on what you’re fishing for hosts, Rick Ryals, Lori Hargrave and George LaBonte will help you decide. During each season of FSBB Rick and George will review over 40 boats in several categories such as: center consoles, bay boats, flats boats, dual consoles, pontoon boats, catamarans, bass boats, aluminum boats and possibly kayaks. In addition to reviewing every type of boat imaginable the hosts will cover the latest in outboard technology and tips on how you can get the most out of your engine.
From early spring to late summer boat manufacturers will bring their boats to Stuart, Florida and the filming will be staged out of Pirates Cove Hotel and Marina. Deep See Visuals and their production team will shoot over 36-days on the water, in the water and from the sky, providing the viewer with unmatched insight to today’s newest and best boats on the market.
The premise of Best Boat isn’t to say which is the best boat, but to help you find the “best boat” for you. Based on what type of fishing you’ll be doing, where and with how many people the editors will cover key features in each boat helping you determine what’s important to you. Helping you determine what’s the best boat for me.
Florida Sportsman Best Boat is more than a TV show, each year the editors of Florida Sportsman magazine work with George to produce a 104 page magazine, Florida Sportsman Best Boat magazine, giving you an entire season of tests in a single publication. Plus, you get the most inclusive list of boats, including MSRP pricing, found anywhere. Anywhere, even online. The magazine is on-sale on newsstands each year from October thru December.
In addition to print and the Florida Sportsman Best Boat TV show there is an online feature every week called Boat Show Friday www.floridasportsman.com/boating where you get even more photos and detailed analysis from the editors on what they feel are the key features of each boat.