Contender 21 Open Specifications
- Length Overall (LOA): 21'4"
- Beam: 7'11"
- Dry Weight: ~2,800 lbs
- Engine: Single outboard, max 225 HP
- Fuel Capacity: 90 gallons
- Draft: ~12"
- Hull Type: Deep-V, 24.5° deadrise, open fisherman layout
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 21'4" Contender 21 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 | 31 lbs |
|---|
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Contender 21 Open T-Top cover is available in 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric for 5-7 years of UV and weather protection, or premium Sunbrella acrylic for 8-10 years of extended durability. Both are water-repellent and mildew-resistant.
Yes. The cover is pattern-cut with reinforced cutouts that wrap precisely around the T-Top support legs on the Contender 21 Open. The hardtop roof remains fully exposed while the cover protects the hull and cockpit below.
Installation takes under 5 minutes. Drape the cover over the boat, align the reinforced cutouts around the T-Top legs, and secure with adjustable strap-and-buckle tie-downs along the rubrail. No tools required — one person can handle it solo.
No — please remove the cover before towing your Contender 21 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 provides a complete barrier over the 21 Open's console electronics, GPS, fish finder, leaning post cushions, and cockpit surfaces — protecting against UV rays, rain, salt spray, and debris.
Your Contender 21 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 (Durable Water Repellent) finish. It's designed to be breathable, which prevents moisture and mildew from building up underneath — essential for the humid South Florida climate.
Yes. This cover fits the Contender 21 Open with a factory T-Top across standard production years. The hull dimensions remain consistent, ensuring a precise fit regardless of year.
The Contender 21 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 21 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 21 Open T-Top Boat Cover — Open Fisherman Versatility
The Contender 21 Open strips the cockpit down to its essentials — maximum deck space, unobstructed casting angles, and the same hand-laminated deep-V hull that defines every boat leaving Contender’s Homestead facility. Joe Neber designed the Open variant for anglers who prize an uncluttered fishing platform above all else, and the 24.5-degree deadrise ensures a dry, stable ride through Florida Bay chop or Biscayne Bay swells. Protecting this purpose-built hull between trips is what Perfect Fit Boat Covers does best — our custom-fitted T-Top cover shields the 21 Open’s console, cockpit, and gunwales from UV degradation, salt corrosion, and tropical downpours.
Tailored to the 21 Open’s Dedicated Fishing Platform
Where the standard 21 balances fishing and cruising features, the 21 Open commits fully to the rod-and-reel mission — flush-mount rod holders, a recessed trolling motor mount, and the 30-gallon livewell that Contender owners rely on. Our cover accounts for every contour, pattern-cut to wrap around the T-Top legs and drape smoothly over the console and leaning post. The strap-and-buckle system secures at the rubrail in under five minutes. Remove the cover before towing — it’s designed for storage, not highway travel. With a shallow draft under 12 inches, the 21 Open reaches backcountry ramps that larger boats can only dream about — and our cover keeps it protected on every tow. For the next step up in the Contender small-boat family, see our Contender 22 Sport T-Top cover.
South Florida Durability from Bow to Stern
Contender builds boats tough enough for the Gulf Stream, and our covers are built to match. The 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric resists fading, mildew, and water penetration for 5–7 years — even under the punishing South Florida sun that can crack lesser materials in a single season. For dock-kept boats or owners who want maximum longevity, the Sunbrella acrylic upgrade delivers 8–10 years of proven performance. Every seam is double-stitched, and each cover includes our warranty (1 year on materials and workmanship, plus 3–6 years on the fabric). Owners running larger Contender offshore models will find the same custom fit in our Contender 27 Open T-Top cover — built for the same uncompromising fishing standard.