Contender 23 Open Specifications
- Length Overall (LOA): 23'3"
- Beam: 8'3"
- Dry Weight: ~4,200 lbs
- Engine: Twin outboards, max 300 HP combined
- Fuel Capacity: 150 gallons
- Draft: ~14"
- Hull Type: Deep-V, 24.5° deadrise, two-piece hand-laminated fiberglass, foam sandwich subfloor
Cover Features
- Fabric Options: 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric or premium Sunbrella acrylic
- Coverage Type: T-Top cover wraps hull below hardtop; hardtop remains exposed
- Construction: Reinforced stitching, hem cord at rubrail, adjustable tie-down straps
- Durability: Solution-dyed fabric (5-7 years); Sunbrella acrylic (8-10 years)
- Fit: Custom-fitted to 23'3" Contender 23 Open specifications
- Protection: UV-resistant, water-repellent, weatherproof
Additional information
Choose Your Cover Fabric
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
| Weight | 33 lbs |
|---|
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Contender 23 Open T-Top cover is available in 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric (5-7 years UV protection) or premium Sunbrella acrylic (8-10 years). Both fabrics are water-repellent, mildew-resistant, and engineered for marine environments.
Yes. The cover features reinforced pattern-cut openings that fit precisely around the Contender 23 Open's T-Top support legs. The fiberglass hardtop remains exposed while the cover protects the hull and cockpit below.
Installation takes under 5 minutes. Drape the cover over the boat, align the cutouts around the T-Top legs, and secure with the adjustable strap-and-buckle tie-downs at the rubrail. One person can handle it solo without tools.
No — please remove the cover before towing your Contender 23 Open. Our covers are not designed to be trailered: towing with the cover on can cause severe damage to the cover and voids the warranty. The cover is designed for storage only — on a trailer, boat lift, dry stack, or jet dock — and comes off in minutes at the ramp.
Absolutely. The cover creates a complete barrier over the 23 Open's helm electronics, GPS, fish finder, leaning post cushions, and all cockpit surfaces — shielding against UV, rain, salt spray, and debris.
Your Contender 23 Open cover is backed by our manufacturer's warranty for the original purchaser. Materials and workmanship — stitching, straps, buckles, zippers, and other hardware — are covered for 1 year from the purchase date. Fabric is covered for 3 years on 7oz, 5 years on black or navy 9oz, and 6 years on Sunbrella. Covered defects are repaired or replaced after you contact us for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. The warranty does not cover improper use, accident or negligence, unauthorized modifications, improper care, mold or mildew, incorrectly placed orders, theft or loss, or acts of God — and traveling with the cover on or using it in the water voids the warranty. See our Warranty page for full details.
The cover is water-resistant with a DWR finish that causes water to bead and roll off. It is breathable to prevent moisture buildup and mildew underneath — essential in Florida's humid subtropical climate.
Yes. This cover fits the Contender 23 Open with a factory T-Top across standard production years. The hull dimensions are consistent, ensuring a custom fit regardless of model year.
The Contender 23 Open cover is available in 9oz solution-dyed polyester in Navy or Black, 7oz polyester in Black, or premium Sunbrella acrylic in Marine Blue, Black, or Smoke. Choose your fabric and color in the order options above.
Shipping is a $30 flat rate per cover within the continental United States. Because every cover is custom-made to order, please allow 1–3 weeks for your Contender 23 Open cover to be made and shipped — you'll receive tracking information as soon as it leaves our facility.
⏱️ Current lead time: 1–3 weeks — every cover is custom-made for your boat.
Questions about fit? Call (561) 677-2628
Questions about fit? Call (561) 677-2628
Contender 23 Open T-Top Boat Cover — Versatile Offshore Ready
The Contender 23 Open is where Contender’s offshore reputation starts to flex — a 23-foot 3-inch hull with a 24.5-degree deadrise, 150-gallon fuel tank, and a two-piece hand-laminated fiberglass construction using biaxial and triaxial cloths over structural PVC core. Built in Homestead, Florida since 1984, Joe Neber designed the 23 Open as a true do-everything center console that runs the Gulf Stream as confidently as it works the backcountry. With capacity for twin outboards up to 300 combined horsepower, this boat has serious range. Our custom-fitted center console boat cover keeps the 23 Open’s premium finishes protected between every offshore run.
Precision Fit for the 23 Open’s Fisherman Layout
The 23 Open’s cockpit is built around the catch — flush-mount rod holders, insulated fish boxes, a large livewell, and an uncluttered deck that gives anglers room to work a fish from any angle. Our cover is pattern-cut to wrap precisely around the T-Top legs, draping over the console, leaning post, and gunwale bolsters without interfering with rod holders or antenna hardware. The strap-and-buckle tie-down system secures at the rubrail in under five minutes — handy on a boat that weighs roughly 4,200 pounds dry. Remove the cover before towing — it’s designed for storage, not highway travel. Foam sandwich subfloor construction keeps the hull stiff and light, and our cover ensures that engineering stays protected from the elements. Owners fishing the tournament circuit will want to compare our Contender 23 Tournament T-Top cover for the bracket-mounted variant.
Marine-Grade Fabric for Year-Round Florida Exposure
The Keys, Biscayne Bay, the Dry Tortugas — these are Contender home waters, and they’re brutal on exposed gelcoat and upholstery. Our 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric resists UV fading, mildew growth, and water penetration for 5–7 years, even under constant subtropical sun. The premium Sunbrella acrylic option extends that protection to 8–10 years for dock-kept boats. Every seam is double-stitched, and each cover ships with our warranty (1 year on materials and workmanship, plus 3–6 years on the fabric). For Contender owners running the big offshore platforms, our Contender 35 T-Top cover provides the same precision fit on the flagship stepped-hull model.