The Contender 44CB hull design pushes the envelope in terms of speed, comfort, and rough weather performance.
February 04, 2022
By George LaBonte
The boom in popularity of larger center consoles has not been lost on Contender Boats by a long shot. The introduction of the 44ST was met with immediate admiration and soon after the 44FA followed. While the former caters to the hardcore fisherman, the latter adds comfort features and amenities geared toward anglers who like to travel abroad and spend nights on the boat. Both have been extremely popular models for this brand.
Contender fans who lie somewhere in the middle between these two camps asked for a model that allows space to go below deck and rest on distant overnight and canyon excursions, yet one that doesn’t sacrifice quite as much workspace as the 44FA layout does. Never one to disappoint, Contender answered the call with their all new 44CB (Canyon Berth) model.
By bringing back the forward seating arrangement of the ST and replacing the full sized sun lounge of the FA with a more compact seat design, the 360-degree efficiency forward is returned to a more work friendly design on the CB. The cabin design offers comfort similar to that found on the FA simply tightened up a bit down below to trade for fishing room on deck.
The tried and true cockpit design of each previous 44 remains in the 44CB including matching 55-gallon transom live wells with the ability to add more well space below deck. A pair of 100-gallon fish boxes to port and starboard flank a roomy access compartment to your pump room and all bilge mechanical systems for maintenance below deck.
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Two rows of seating for six passengers behind the Contender Captain’s Helm offers a comfortable spot for each of your crew to relax during a long range run to distant offshore canyon grounds. The rear facing retractable mezzanine style seats double as a large cooler and tackle center below and in the seat back.
The 44CB is the result of some very specific fine tuning on the part of Contender to satisfy the demands of anglers competing at the very highest levels in the sport of offshore fishing. Adding enough comfort to allow your crew to rest intermittently during a multi-day hardcore canyon session enables serious crews to level up their game.
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Contender 44CB Specifications: Length: 43' 10” Beam: 12’ Draft: 27” Deadrise: 22.7 degrees Weight: 19,600 pounds (fish ready) Max HP: 1700 Fuel: 600 gallons MSRP: $835,921 with Quad Yamaha 425s contenderboats.com
The maximum rated horsepower of 1700 is represented here via Quad- XTO 425 Yamahas. Across the transom the 44CB features matching 55-gallon Sea Chest supplied live wells. Seating for six behind the Contender Captain’s Helm offers a comfortable resting place for long rides to distant water. The walk-up room to this forward bulkhead provides convenient access to your anchor windlass. Contender forward seating smartly integrates into the gunwales creating much needed work room on deck. The helm face on this 44CB allows space for a pair of large MFD electronics units while still providing an entry point into the cabin below. At the aft facing point of the helm seating you’ll find a large retractable fiberglass ice box along with a convenient tackle center. Three across deluxe Llebroc helm seats are independently adjustable and feature thick, comfortable upholstery. A Nitetrack night vision unit offers added safety for those long pre-dawn offshore runs. The space within each forward seating module offers lots of dry storage. Another cavernous storage compartment is located in the foredeck to dry secure the largest of your tackle and equipment. The cabin space below on the 44CB might be the perfect balance of accommodations below and above deck fishability. A comfortable berth for resting and an electric head and sink make overnight trips more comfortable for your crew. Like any serious fishing machine, the 44CB offers someplace to stow a rod within arm’s reach no matter where you’re standing.
