Yachts for sale / Contender 38 Express

2008 Contender 38 Express

Coral Gables, FL, US 39.8 ft · 11.67 ft' beam 2 cabins 46.92 kn kn top
Asking
$310,000
Our Thoughts

Maripal is a 2008 Contender 38 Express Cuddy Cabin—a 39-foot-9-inch offshore-capable express cruiser powered by triple 350-horsepower 2019 Yamaha four-stroke outboards delivering 1,050 total horsepower. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, this vessel has been meticulously maintained and substantially upgraded over the past five years, making it an exceptionally well-equipped platform for serious anglers and cruising-minded owners alike.

The Contender 38 hull design combines a narrow 11-foot-8-inch beam with a 2-foot draft, engineered for the speed and efficiency demanded by offshore fishing and long-range coastal cruising. With a 529-gallon fuel capacity distributed across four tanks (port, starboard, and center), Maripal achieves a maximum speed of 46.92 knots and carries the range needed for extended time on the water. The 100-gallon freshwater capacity supports comfortable multi-day voyages.

Mechanical & Systems Backbone

The triple Yamaha 350FS outboards were installed in 2020 with approximately 425 hours of operation, paired with new SDS Yamaha propellers and three additional spare props. A 2020 generator replacement (approximately 400 hours) provides shore-independent 110-volt and 12-volt power. Recent critical updates include a 2022 Vetus bow thruster retrofit, 2021 windlass replacement, 2022 Simrad AP26 autopilot with remote, and fresh hydraulic dual-control steering with independent start/stop capability at both helm and secondary station. Fuel management has been prioritized with new internal fuel lines, primary bulbs, and four stainless-steel fuel filter holders installed in 2023. Six new batteries were fitted in 2023, and the sump pump was replaced in 2022.

Navigation & Electronics

Electronics reflect a modern, integrated approach. The 2023 upgrade includes a Garmin 8216 GPS/sounder/radar system (screens replaced in 2025) paired with a 2018 tower-mounted GPS. Two Icom GX5005 VHF radios provide redundancy, with new digital VHF antennas added in 2019 and a 2018 tower VHF with RAM microphone. The 2022 Simrad AP26 autopilot operates with remote control, while a Sinto compass and 2015 Bennett trim tabs with Yamaha controls round out the helm. A 2021 FLIR thermal imaging camera and Rigid Industries LED light bar enhance night operations and situational awareness.

Accommodations & Comfort

Belowdecks, the 38 Express offers genuine cruising comfort with a forward double berth and full-size aft sleeping berth, private head with shower, sink, vanity mirror, and Vacu-Flush toilet with thru-hull fitting (replaced 2018). The galley features a Conteauex two-burner stove, Whirlpool microwave (replaced 2019), Isotherm refrigeration, and a designer-faucet sink recessed into counter storage. A dinette table retracts to bed height. Teak and holly cabin sole, overhead recessed lighting, and full-height storage cabinetry define the interior. Dual reverse-cycle air-conditioning units (replaced 2020 with thru-hull fittings) maintain climate control

Provided listing description Click to read the original broker text

Excellent Opportunity"Maripal" is a 2008 38 Contender Express Cuddy Cabin brought to market by a very caring and knowledgeable ownerUpdated and well equipped ready to take her new owners on their memory making adventuresmost recent updates include Rear cockpit bolsters re upholsteredAll three engines and Generator 100 hour service  completed 8/25Cabin sump new bilge pumpStidd helm chairs backrest re varnishedBoth A/c and 2 Coolers and icemaker yearly service Fuel polished to remove and condensation  Maripal will not disappoint the decrementing buyerFeaturing two large staterooms, a spacious galley and enclosed head and shower, this powerful yet luxurious vessel satisfies the most demanding anglers and the most discriminating cruisers alike. Boasting an 11-foot-7inch beam, a 24-inch draft and 39-foot-11-inch LOA, the Contender 38 comes standard with 460-gallon fuel capacity along with an option to add an additional 110 gallons. Standard air-conditioning and generator power are also standard features. Engineered to accommodate triple engines up to 1100 hp, Contender builds this boat to get there and back with speed and comfort.40 FT 2008 Contender Cuddy ExpressEngines replaced 2019 New generation 350 Yamahas Approximately 425 hours Additional Specs, Equipment and Information:DimensionsLOA: 39 ft 9 inBeam: 11 ft 8 inMinimum Draft: 2 ft 0 inEnginesTotal Power: 1050 HPEngine 1:Engine Brand: Yamaha Year 2019 installed in 2020Engine Type: Outboard 4SEngine/Fuel Type: Gas/PetrolEngine Hours: 425Engine Power: 350 HPEngine 2:Engine Brand: YamahaEngine Type: Outboard 4SEngine/Fuel Type: Gas/PetrolEngine Hours: 425Engine Power: 350 HPEngine 3:Engine Brand: YamahaEngine Type: Outboard 4SEngine/Fuel Type: Gas/PetrolEngine Hours: 425Engine Power: 350 HPTanksFuel Tanks :total four Port , Starboard, center  additional:  total (529 Gallons)AccommodationsNumber of single berths: 2Number of heads: 1Helm         Major refit in 2020  including 3  2019 new engines 350FS Yamahas w/new gauges controls Throttles replaced both stations. Replaced Generator 2020  3 New SDS Yamaha Props.  3 new spare Props 2 new Edson steering wheels 2023 New 2015 8212 Garmin GPS/Sounder/Radar Tower GPS 2018 Tower VHF Ram Mic. 2020 New cooktop 2021 Rewired internal and external fuse panel 2023 Added Macerator pump and thru hull pump out for holding tank 2021 Aft Bilge blower 2023 New (4) SS Fuel Filter holders 2023 All new internal fuel lines and primary bulbs  new ACR spotlight with remote 2022 New Auto Pilot w/remote  2022 Windlass replaced 2021 Tower wires new 2023 6 new batteries 2023 Additional 12vor 110v ref/freezer inside under table All cushion internal foam replaced (2) GX5005 Icom VHF Radio ACR Spotlight 2022 Simrad AP26 Autopilot w/ remote 2022 Vetus Bow Thruster refit  2022 including rocker switches  Fresh water pump replaced 2021 Sump pump replaced 2022 windlass replaced 2021 New toilet the thru hull 2018 2 freezer motors replaced 2020 2 A/c/ units replaced w/ Thru hull fittings 2020 New SS Ultra Anchor with rode 2022 New Fireboy Fire Extinguishers 2021 Rear Sun Shade Awning and post 2022 Rear Folding bench seat 2022 UBF Phone outlets in cockpit and inside 2023 New baitwell pumps 2023 2 New Digital VHF antennas 2019 Interior lights refit 2021 Navigation Lights refit 2020  2 TV's w/ External Antennas 2021 Full covers for tower helm/console and FLIR camera, also rear bench seat Ice maker refit  2019 Marine grade rug 2021 Both tables refinished 2021 Microwave oven replaced 2019 A/C Helm Deck Sinto Compass (2) Multi colored underwater LED lights new 2015 Bennett Trim Tabs Yamaha Controls w/Third engine on dual binnacle controls JL Stereo new amp & speakers 2015 Rigid Industries LED light bar Second Station  Steering - Hydraulic Dual Control Start/Stop switch control pad Birdsall Marie Aluminum Teasers Flir Camera Seadek Cockpit sole 2015Cabin & Amenities 3-Sided Enclosure 3 Ladder back helm & companion chairs Coaming pads new 2015 All Deck seating & cushions new 2015 Rupp Marine Outriggers Westerbeake  Generator   (approx.400 hours) Double berth forward Flatscreen TV Stereo speakers Full size berth aft Private head w/shower, sink & Vacu-Flush head, vanity mirror & cabinet storageGalley-port side of cabin Whirlpool Microwave oven Isotherm refrigeration Overhead recessed lighting Conteauex two burner stove Sink with designer faucet recessed in counter tops Dinette table retracts to bed height Teak & Holly Cabin sole Digital control- Reverse cycle A/C heat 110V receptacle Storage cabinetry Garmin 8216 Screens replaced 2025Engines 2019 Triple 350hp 4-stroke Yamaha outboards updated in 2020   

2008 Contender 38 Express Cuddy Cabin: Triple Yamaha Performance and Comprehensive Refit Excellence
Overview
The 2008 Contender 38 Express Cuddy Cabin "Maripal" represents a comprehensively updated offshore express cruiser and fishing platform positioned at the intersection of serious angler capability and comfortable extended cruising. At 39 feet 9 inches in length with an 11-foot-8-inch beam and 2-foot draft, this vessel delivers the shallow-water accessibility and fuel efficiency expected of modern express designs while maintaining the seaworthiness required for Gulf Stream and offshore operations. The asking price of $310,000 reflects a boat that has undergone substantial mechanical and systems overhaul, with particular attention to propulsion, navigation electronics, and onboard infrastructure. The defining characteristic of this Contender is its triple-engine configuration: three 2019 Yamaha 350-horsepower four-stroke outboards, installed in 2020 and currently carrying approximately 425 operating hours. This 1,050-horsepower total represents the upper tier of the platform's design envelope and delivers a maximum speed of 46.92 knots. The triple outboard setup provides redundancy critical for offshore work, allows independent engine management across port, starboard, and center positions, and supports the kind of fuel-efficient cruising speeds that longer-distance operators depend on. With a total fuel capacity of 529 gallons distributed across four tanks—port, starboard, center, and additional—the vessel achieves the range profile necessary for extended Gulf Coast operations and weekend offshore runs.
Layout and Deck Design
The Contender 38 Express is engineered as a cuddy cabin platform, meaning it prioritizes open cockpit fishing and entertainment space while providing enclosed cabin accommodations for overnight passage and refuge. The deck arrangement reflects this philosophy: the cockpit occupies the majority of the working deck, configured with full coaming pads and all-new deck seating and cushioning installed in 2015. A 3-sided enclosure option provides weather protection during extended cruising without compromising the open-air functionality that sportfish and express operators require. The helm station occupies the forward-most position, equipped with dual Stidd helm chairs (backrest refinished in the recent service cycle) and comprehensive controls for all three engines through dual binnacle throttle and shift systems. A second helm station aft of the cabin provides duplicate steering and engine controls, allowing operation from either position—a feature particularly valuable during docking, maneuvering in tight anchorages, or when the primary helm operator requires a break during extended cruising. Hydraulic dual control steering at both stations ensures responsive, consistent handling regardless of position. Aft of the cabin, a folding bench seat installed in 2022 provides additional seating for crew or passengers while maintaining clear access to the transom fishing area. The cockpit sole features Seadek non-skid surfacing, applied in 2015, which provides superior grip and thermal comfort compared to traditional fiberglass in high-sun environments. Rupp Marine outriggers mounted to the hardtop structure support trolling operations and extend the vessel's capability for pelagic species work.
Helm and Electronics
The helm station underwent major refit in 2020, establishing a modern integrated electronics suite centered on Garmin navigation and sounder systems. A 2023 upgrade brought a Garmin 8212 chartplotter and sounder to the primary helm position, with screen replacement completed in 2025, ensuring current mapping, bathymetric data, and sonar imagery for both navigation and fish-finding. A 2015 Garmin 8216 unit provides redundancy and secondary display capability. This dual-screen architecture is standard practice on serious offshore vessels, allowing chart display on one screen while sounder and radar occupy the other, or providing independent navigation and sounder functions simultaneously. A 2018 tower-mounted GPS antenna extends positioning accuracy and provides high-vantage-point signal reception, while a 2015 tower-mounted VHF radio with RAM microphone supports long-range marine communications from the elevated tower position. Dual Icom GX5005 VHF radios with two new digital VHF antennas installed in 2023 ensure redundancy and coverage across primary and secondary helm stations. Navigation support systems include a Simrad AP26 autopilot with remote control, installed in 2022, which allows single-operator cruising at efficiency speeds and provides course-hold capability during longer passages. A Sinto compass provides magnetic reference independent of electronic systems. Bennett trim tabs with Yamaha controls, installed in 2015, allow dynamic adjustment of running attitude, improving fuel economy, reducing bow rise at planing speeds, and enhancing ride quality in varying sea states. The third engine is integrated into the trim tab system, allowing synchronized control across all three powerplants. A 2022 Vetus bow thruster retrofit with rocker switch controls provides low-speed maneuvering authority, particularly valuable in tight marina approaches and when docking without crew assistance. A 2022-replaced windlass with new tower wiring in 2023 handles anchor deployment and retrieval, critical infrastructure for overnight anchorage and emergency anchoring scenarios. The tower structure itself is equipped with a Rigid Industries LED light bar (new in 2015) for night fishing and working deck illumination, while an ACR spotlight with remote control, added in 2023, provides focused illumination for close-quarters work and night navigation. A FLIR thermal camera with full covers provides night-vision capability for navigation and fish spotting, expanding operational capability into low-light conditions.
Fishing Systems and Seawater Infrastructure
The Contender 38 Express is built around serious fishing capability, with infrastructure supporting both recreational and tournament-level operations. Baitwell pumps were replaced in 2023, ensuring reliable live-bait circulation for extended fishing days. The vessel's standard configuration includes livewells and fish boxes, though specific volumes are not detailed in available specifications; the recent pump replacement indicates these systems remain active and maintained. A macerator pump and through-hull pump-out system for the holding tank, added in 2023, support extended offshore operations without environmental compromise. Fresh water pumps, replaced in 2021, support washdown and deck cleaning operations critical to post-fishing cleanup and salt-spray management. Birdsall Marine aluminum teasers mounted to the tower structure support trolling presentations for pelagic species, extending the vessel's capability beyond live-bait and artificial casting approaches. The outrigger configuration, combined with the tower-mounted electronics and second helm station, positions the Contender 38 as a platform suitable for structured trolling operations and multi-angler fishing scenarios.
Cabin and Interior Accommodations
Below-deck accommodations emphasize overnight capability and shelter rather than full-time liveaboard comfort, appropriate to the express cuddy design philosophy. The cabin features two staterooms: a double berth forward and a full-size berth aft, providing sleeping accommodation for four occupants in comfortable separation. A single private head with shower, sink, Vacu-Flush toilet (replaced in 2018 with new through-hull fitting), vanity mirror, and cabinet storage supports extended cruising hygiene without the complexity of multiple head systems. The galley occupies the port side of the cabin and is equipped with a Whirlpool microwave oven (replaced in 2019), Isotherm refrigeration system, and a Conteauex two-burner stove with designer faucet sink recessed into counter tops. A 2020 cooktop installation complements the existing galley infrastructure. All new 12-volt and 110-volt refrigeration and freezer units installed under the dinette table in 2023 provide expanded cold storage for extended cruising and fishing trips. The dinette table retracts to bed height, allowing flexible use of the cabin space for sleeping and dining. Cabin sole flooring features teak and holly construction, providing traditional marine aesthetics and durability. Overhead recessed lighting, refitted in 2019, supports ambient and task illumination throughout the cabin. Both cabin tables were refinished in 2021. All cushion internal foam was replaced during the comprehensive 2020 refit, ensuring comfort and preventing moisture-related deterioration. Interior lights received full refit in 2019, while a marine-grade rug installed in 2021 provides warmth and acoustic absorption. Climate control is provided through dual air-conditioning units replaced in 2020 with new through-hull fittings, supporting year-round comfort in Florida's subtropical climate. A reverse-cycle heating and cooling system with digital control allows temperature management across seasons. Both A/C units and the icemaker received yearly service during the most recent maintenance cycle completed on August 25, 2024. Entertainment systems include two flatscreen televisions with external antennas installed in 2021, a JL Audio stereo system with new amplifier and
Length
39.8 ft
Beam
11.67 ft'
Year
2008
Builder
Contender
Model
38 Express
Cabins
2
Max speed
46.92 kn kn

Fly Yachts is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Flagler Yachts. It is offered as a convenience by this broker/dealer to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a particular vessel.

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