sive when you consider that our testboat was powered by the smallestengine option: a 270 hp Volvo Penta5.0 GXi Duoprop stern drive.

One of the main benefits of astepped hull is that you can go fasterwith less power. When you can topout at close to 50 mph, as we did withthe 2400, who needs more horses?

Regal offers eight power choicesfrom Volvo Penta and MercuryMerCruiser — including one diesel —ranging from 260 to 375 hp. You’ll gainabout 10 mph more top-end speedwith the largest engines, while thesmaller ones offer a thriftier fuel burnrate of around 8 gph.

In addition to being a solid-per-forming boat, the Regal 2400 is a veryspacious and comfortable vessel. It’srated to carry up to 10 people, andthe onboard space rivals that of com-parably sized deckboats.

Both the bow and the stern seat-

1 SEA / MARCH 2004

The 2400 is built on Regal’s pro-prietary FasTrac hull. This steppedhull design improves overall runningefficiency by reducing friction anddrag, resulting in increased speed, con-trol and fuel economy.

The design is similar to that found

on offshore race boats. Since the firstRegal FasTrac was introduced in1996, we have tested several of them— and every time, it’s hard to takethe boat back to the dock. This time,even winter weather couldn’t chill ourenthusiasm.

Two things we noticed right awaywhen running this FasTrac-equippedboat were its straight-as-an-arrowtracking and the secure feeling we gotwhen taking turns.

We found that the responsiveRegal 2400 handles remarkably likea sports car: Turn the wheel, and itgoes precisely where you point it. Evendoing tight figure-eight turns, weexperienced no loss of control and nodiscernable prop cavitation.

Our Regal 2400 was quick off theline, getting on plane in just under 4seconds. Midrange acceleration wasstrong, too. That’s particularly impres-

SeaTrial

Regal 2400SPORTY STYLE — AND PERFORMANCE TO MATCHBY TOM THOMPSON

YOU’VE HEARD THE OLD EXPRESSION about March coming in like alion? Well, on the cold winter morning when we tested the Regal2400, near Regal Marine Industries’ Orlando, Florida headquarters,the weather was more like a grizzly bear.

The temperature was in the upper 30s, as the result of a Canadiancold front that somehow made it all the way to this part of the so-called “Sunshine State.” However, things began to heat up prettyquickly, once we hit the throttle of Regal’s sporty new bowrider.

SEA / MARCH 2004 2

An Inside Look

TESTER'S OPINION: “Two things we noticed right away whenrunning this FasTrac-equipped boat were its straight-as-an-arrow tracking and the secure feeling we got whentaking turns.

“We found that the responsive Regal 2400 handlesremarkably like a sports car:Turn the wheel,and it goesprecisely where you point it. Even doing tight figure-eight turns, we experienced no loss of control and nodiscernable prop cavitation.”

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP — Regal’s 2400 offers a spacious forward seating area with plenty of stowageunder the seats, and there is access to two storage compartments inside the helm console. A surprisinglyroomy head compartment is hidden behind the passenger-side console. The cockpit’s hinged aft seatbackrest lifts to provide a wide transom walk-through, for access to the swim platform. In keeping withthe 2400’s commendable use of storage space, convenient dry StoreMore compartments are locatedthroughout the boat. A refreshment center with pressurized water is molded into the portside gunwale.

ing areas can be converted to sunpadswith optional filler cushions. Anoptional dining table is available, aswell. When you set it up in the cock-pit and turn the helm and compan-ion seats around to face it, you’ll haveseating for eight.

The helm and companion seatsboth have a flip-up bolster, for con-venient stand-up operation. The Regal2400’s helm is attractively designed,with burlwood accents, but the realfocal point is its array of fog-free Fariagauges. They include an integratedspeedometer with fuel and voltagegauges, as well as an integratedtachometer with oil pressure and tem-perature gauges, plus separate depthand trim gauges.

There’s also a Dino steering wheelwith five-position tilt.

STORAGE, STORAGEEVERYWHERE

Regal has made every effort to useall available space for storage. Mostof the bench seating lifts for accessto dry compartments, and there aretwo stowage spaces in the helm con-sole. One is accessible from the star-board seatback in the bow, and theother can be reached from the walk-way between the bow and cockpit.

Knowing that water skis and wake-boards take up a lot of space, Regal’sdesigners provided not one but twoplaces to stow them on the 2400. There’sone compartment in the cockpit soleand another on the swim platform.

A cockpit hatch opens to reveal aspace that extends up into the bow.The stern storage space is actually onenearly full-beam compartment that’scovered by three hatches. This makesit easy to get to small items withouthaving to lift a single heavy hatch.

With all the space on board the2400, it’s easy to move around with-out bumping into things or people.Deck surfaces are skid resistant — andgetting on or off the boat is safe andsimple, thanks to two three-stepboarding ladders (one at the bow andanother at the stern). Each ladderhides away when not in use.

GET COMFORTABLEA refreshment center, which fea-

tures a sink with pressurized water,

is molded into the portside gunwale.A section of bench seating on the star-board side lifts with the help of a gascylinder, exposing a removable 25-quart cooler.

For entertainment, Regal includesa Kenwood AM/FM stereo with a sin-gle-disc CD player and four speakersas standard equipment. This systemcan be upgraded to a premium pack-age that includes a six-disc CD chang-er and audiophile-worthy speakers.

The most important comfort fea-ture on the Regal 2400 has to be thehead compartment. It’s neatly hid-den behind the passenger-side con-sole, yet it’s surprisingly spaciousinside. There’s a chemical toilet anda sink with pressurized water, plusan opening portlight.

Regal has always been known forincluding an impressive array of thelittle things that add convenience andsafety on the boats it builds. The 2400has brake lights, turn signals and haz-ard lights built into the transom as abackup for your trailer’s lights.Moreover, you’ll find a convenienttrash receptacle inside the helm con-sole, and a bow scuff plate protectsthe hull when you beach your boat.

The boat’s through-hull fittings arechrome (not plastic), and the hull’scolors and graphics are molded intothe gelcoat. When it comes time toclean up, it’s easy: You simply unsnapthe cushions and carpeting, then hosedown the entire cockpit.

If you regularly do your ownengine maintenance, you’ll like the2400’s engine compartment. It’s com-pletely gelcoated, with no roughedges to scrape your fingers. There’sample space to gain access to theengine from all sides, and doing rou-tine fluid level checks is easy.

Look closely at the 2400, and youcan see that Regal builds a fine prod-uct. It’s evident in the extra steps thecompany takes, from the use ofFrench-stitched upholstery to themolded-in graphics. You might pay afew dollars more for this level of qual-ity, but in the long run, the resultswill be lower maintenance costs andhigher resale value.% CONTACT: REGAL MARINE INDUSTRIES;

(800) US-REGAL; (407) 851-4360; FAX (407) 857-1256;

WWW.REGALBOATS.COM

SPECIFICATIONSLength 26 ft., 3 in.Beam 8 ft., 6 in.Draft (drive down) 3 ft.Weight 4,650 lbs.Fuel capacity 62 gals.Maximum power 375 hpBase price, with 270 hp Volvo Penta 5.0 GXiDuoprop gasoline stern drive $47,385*prices do not include freight and dealer prep

PERFORMANCE SPECSTop speed 47 mphCruising speed 24 mphMPG @ 24 mph cruise 3.16Range @ 24 mph cruise 195 miles

STANDARD FEATURESDino tilt steering wheel; power steering; helmand companion seats with flip-up bolsters;compass; in-dash depth sounder; Fariagauges; dual battery switch; Kenwood AM/FMstereo with CD player and four speakers; headcompartment with chemical toilet and sink;cockpit sink; LED cockpit courtesy lighting;snap-in carpet; 25-quart removable cooler;Bimini top; cockpit cover; extended swim plat-form; bow scuff plate.

OPTIONSAft filler cushion; automatic fire extinguisher;bow filler cushion; side and aft canvas withforward connector; cockpit table; fume detec-tor; gray water system; Kenwood premiumstereo system upgrade with CD changer; tran-som remote for stereo; rail-mounted grill;pumpout fittings for head; transom-mount tiltswitch; Raymarine 45 VHF radio.

CONSTRUCTIONFiberglass hull, utilizing FasTrac design.

COMPANY PROFILEYears in business 34Number of employees 650+Boat lines Regal

BUILDERRegal Marine Industries; (800) US-REGAL;(407) 851-4360; fax (407) 857-1256;www.regalboats.com

WEST COAST DEALERSAllison Marine, Costa Mesa, CA; (949) 642-2628; www.allisonmarine.comBarry Paulsen’s Boat Center, RanchoCordova, CA; (916) 852-7500Bayport Yachts, Newport Beach, CA; (949) 631-0228; www.bayportyachts.comCascade Marine Center, Portland, OR; (503) 255-8487; www.cascademarinecenter.comValley Marine Inc., Yakima, WA; (509) 453-6302; yakimavalleymarine.com

3 SEA / MARCH 2004

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