2022 Miami Boat Show 25’ Center Console Offerings from Contender, Dusky and Blackfin (123k to 192k) 

Wow the Blackfin rep was so excited to present his boat, guys at the show said he had liquor on his breath. Great job sir

All this boat talk got me so excited to get ours back in the water and start fishing again.

Blackfin all day long and not even close. Dusky was impressive for a price point boat and loved that coffin box.

Thanks for taking us with you, from Long Island in the windy not too cold 😎.

Thanks for the tour John-having your Pal Sweeney with you definitely adds some comedic value here.He is a good sport jumping down in that fish box.I have to agree with you about the indoor venue-the”in water” show last time is definitely nicer.

I love the videos you do and watched a lot of your videos before I bought my boat last year. Im so glad I went with Cobia seeing the prices for what you get now. Cobia has SO much value. I know prices have sky rocketed but thanks for always giving cobia props.

For me I would go the Contender. Just for fishing with all the Boxes. As for family and fishing definitely the Blackfin

That contender 25T is a great boat for its size class. When I was looking to upgrade, I was originally looking at the cobia 256, but then fell in love with the 25T (23T for the years I was looking at) the only thing that kept me from going with that boat was what I could get for the price. Ended up buying a 2012 25 competition with a 2019 300 Yamaha that someone I knew was selling. For the same price I paid for that boat, a 23T contender for that price would have been 6-8 years older, original engines with 1k+ hours. The 25 competition is the same hull as the 25 classic contender from the 90s, just has a different layout. If money wasn’t a problem and I had to pick from those 3 boats I would go with the 25T contender too.

Remember the Dusky is build to order - my 278 had (ftom the factory) 160 gal capacity and the lower console. Its semi custom and your Dusky can be built around your preferences - and you can include as many or as little of the 100 different options. I showed my 278 no love and I couldn’t imagine fishing a boat any harder - yet every spring it would clean up like new and be ready for another intense fishing season. Since they are factory direct only, the savings of not having a dealer are passed along to the consumer - thats why their pricing is so good.

Wish the Contender had friction hinges and a divided forward kill box. Sick boat, love seeing them come in the inlet.

I like the contender. My wife and I looked at the blackfin about a year ago - 150k then, but no electronics. She really liked the blackfin.

Excellent channel! Would love to see a 25-28 bay hybrid comparison if you have a chance. That seems to be the "do it all" boat style of choice these day. Thanks in advance!

Thank you for all the time you put in bringing us great content. Setting aside the dead rise and the Contender’s finish inside the console and hatches, how does Sweeney’s 21 Pair stack up? With the bracket, the 21 Pair is probably around 2 feet shorter than the Contender overall but the Pair’s layout makes it look like it has about as much fishing room inside.

I’m 5’7” on a good day, Dusky automatically eliminates me as a buyer with that design 😆

Contender all the way with twin 150 mercury.

Thanks for the tour John but on a side note I'm just wondering what brand of braid do you recommend for fluke fishing? Anything new to the market or just the tried and true?

Thanks for the tours

No perfect boats. Always something. Little improvement goes a long way..... Thanks. J J....

All these 25 footers need a small collapsible fresh water sink. I would put it somewhere in the back.

Did you stop by Ft. Pierce while on your journey?

Please remember that Dusky is a semi custom boat. They will help the customers with the layout of the boat. They sell factory direct.

Does Sweeney know what 25T means? It is a Tournament style meant for serious fishing thus the monster fish box up front that would be loaded with ice for the catch that day. Additionally, most guys with just throw blocks or ice or bags whole in there until the box starts filling with fish.

blackfin all the way

Good stuff. Wish the video was a little longer to cover some great valued boats at the 2:15 mark. :).

Seems 25' are all now rigged with twin 150s or twin 200s. What are your thoughts on this considering your 25' Cobia had the single 300

You can add more fuel capacity on the dusky as an option

Sea Hunt Gamefish 25 would have been a good comparator in this size class

Not impressed when the manufacturer can’t build a T Top that is inter grated into the console. They look like a complete after thought.

That’s some head on Sweeney

Excellent video. Please try and get the 340Z from Seavee if you can.

25 bluewater

As I watched, I think the Dusky didn't have a windshield.

I like your videos but the boats you are suggesting are top of the line and way overpriced for a family boat, kinda seem like a boat snob, Robalo, key west,seapro are all great family boats and cost way less than a snooty Blackfin, just being realistic,most families don't want to spend more on a boat than their home is worth

Dusky only had a 100 gallons of fuel. What the hell? That's a no go for me.

Did you make it over to the Cobia booth

For the price dusky imo.

You're terrible, Sweeny get in the box and he does. I know you've been friends a long time, but....