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Contender 35 ST

35ft center console, built 2014–present. Primary use: saltwater.

Typical used values

Model yearUsed asking rangeMedianConfidence
2014 $212,000 – $266,000 $239,000 low
2020 $350,000 – $430,000 $390,000 med
2026 $503,500 – $614,000 $559,000 low

Ranges interpolate 3 hand-anchored years at 5%/yr depreciation off-curve. Hours and saltwater service further adjust; a full Deal Report scores those for a specific listing.

Known issues to check (2)

  • High Hard offshore use is the norm — compression-test every engine, don't trust hours alone.
  • Medium Foam-cored stringers are robust, but check for transom flex on neglected high-hour boats.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

  1. Compression + leak-down test on every outboard, independent of stated hours.
  2. Flex-check the transom under engine weight at rest and at WOT.

Typical engines (3)

  • Yamaha 425 XTO Offshore outboard · gas · base score 84/100 · high-use ≥ 175 hrs/yr

    Yamaha's flagship 5.6L V8. Strong and well-supported, but a maintenance-cost premium over the 300-class and a 100-hour service interval that owners skip at their peril. Common on triples/quads where total service cost multiplies.

    100-hour service is mandatory; the electric steering and integrated rigging are dealer-serviced. Verify warranty status (typically 5 yr) and what transfers.

  • Mercury Verado / V8 FourStroke (250–400) outboard · gas · base score 85/100 · high-use ≥ 150 hrs/yr

    Modern Mercury V8/V10 FourStroke and supercharged Verado are strong, smooth, and well-supported, a clear step up from the OptiMax era. Slightly behind Yamaha on resale trust but closing fast, and often better integrated (joystick, digital throttle).

    100-hour service; supercharged Verado adds the supercharger oil interval. Check for corroded battery cables and the SmartCraft harness on saltwater boats.

  • Mercury Racing 450R outboard · gas · base score 80/100 · high-use ≥ 150 hrs/yr

    4.6L supercharged 450 hp performance outboard. Excellent power-to-weight and increasingly common on high-end center consoles. Run hard by nature; the supercharger and higher state of tune mean service discipline matters more than on a standard FourStroke.

    Supercharged — follow the accelerated service schedule. On multi-engine rigs confirm all units share hours and service history.

Resale liquidity (80/100)

Tournament-pedigree hull; strong in FL/Gulf. Buyer pool is narrower than Yellowfin but loyal.

Contender 35 ST FAQ

What is a fair price for a used Contender 35 ST?
Typical asking range for a 2020 Contender 35 ST is roughly $350,000–$430,000 in average condition with average hours. Older year-models depreciate at about 5% per year off the curve. Specific listings vary; paste a URL on the home page for a full Deal Report.
What should I inspect on a used Contender 35 ST?
  • Compression + leak-down test on every outboard, independent of stated hours.
  • Flex-check the transom under engine weight at rest and at WOT.
Is the Contender 35 ST a good boat?
Tournament-pedigree hull; strong in FL/Gulf. Buyer pool is narrower than Yellowfin but loyal. Resale-liquidity score (our model, 0–100): 80.

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