After years of testing, the Contender Series went through a couple design revisions. Some of the changes were as follows:

– The front leg brace was restyled to be more sleek like the Hyde Professional Series
– The recessed rod holders were extended to house longer fly rods
– The chines were slightly modified
– Larger storage boxes were added to the boat with a top end lid

From the excitement of Hyde’s other XL Series models, and due to many customer requests, Hyde came out with an XL Series High Side Drift Boat. Using the same footprint as it’s companions in the XL series, this model had full high sides while still giving a nearly 17′ centerline. The XL High Side provided a great option for anglers who run diverse waters and want plenty of room to stretch out.