Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) (w/ Currently no test numbers)

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Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-)

OverviewTest Results

Text Size: A A AThe Regal 46 Sport Coupe is one of the most popular models in class andis able to compete with express cruisers from 42' to 48' (12.80 to 14.63 m)quite successfully. She is able to do that by incorporating a laundry list ofelements that consumers seem to like, including a competitive price.

Key Features

Convertible hardtopHelm includes Garmin 7212 chartplotter and VHF100 radioJoystick controlCockpit refreshment center with grill, refrigerator and freezerChaise sunloungeKing sized bed in the aft cabinBose 321 Home Theater System in the salonSalon high gloss cherry tableL-shaped salon couch for 6 peopleCentral vacuum system

Specifications

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Specifications

Length Overall46' 0''

14.02 mDry Weight

25,300 lbs.11,475 kg

Beam14'

4.27 mTested Weight N/A

Draft42''

1.07 mWeight Capacity N/A

Draft Up N/A Person Capacity N/A

Draft Down N/A Fuel Capacity328 gal. 1,242 L

Air Draft N/A Water Capacity101 gal.

382 L

Deadrise/Transom 20-deg. Length on Trailer N/A

Max Headroom N/A Height on Trailer N/A

Bridge Clearance12' 2'' 3.7 m

Trailer Weight N/A

Total Package Weight(Trailer,Boat & Engine)

N/A

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local

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1900 (2014-)

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24 FasDeck RX(2014-)

2500 (2014-)

27 FasDeck (2012-)

28 Express (2012-)

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dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boatmodel.

Engine Options

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Engine options

Std. Power N/A

Tested Power Currently no test numbers

Opt. Power2 x 740-hp Volvo Penta D6 IPS500 diesel2 x 870-hp Volvo Penta D6 IPS600 diesel

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Captain's Report

The 46 Sport Coupe is Regal’s latest reincarnation of a very popular model.

Mission of the Regal 46 Sport Coupe

The Regal 44 Sport Coupe has been one of the most successful hardtop express cruisers in class forthe last several years. This year the builder decided to give the boat a slight facelift and changed itsdesignation to "46 Sport Coupe" in order to stay in step with an industry that is now counting everythinghanging off the bow and stern to make the boat seem as long as possible. But her mission remains thesame -- to be a versatile sport cruiser for entertaining and modest cruising at a competitive price, andlook good in the process.

Deciding What is Important

When we compared the Regal 46 Sport Coupe to 14 other hardtop/coupe express cruisers in class itbecame immediately apparent that they are not all as similar as one might think. We discovered thatthere are about 12 basic design, layout, and equipment considerations that are important to mostconsumers -- price notwithstanding. Since most consumers dwell on these details we shall examinethem and explain where the Regal 46 Sport Coupe falls in the mix.

When buying a boat in this class and paying anywhere from $375,000 to $900,000, there are no fewerthan 12 major decisions consumers must make. Here they are--

2800 (2015-)

30 Express (2016-)

32 Express (2014-)

3200 (2016-)

35 Sport Coupe(2014-)

38 Express (2011-)

42 Sport Coupe(2014-)

46 Sport Coupe(2014-)

53 Sport Coupe(2014-)

Archived Models

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2000 Bowrider(2007-)

2100 RX (2009-)

2700 Bowrider

The boat was designed with angular, wedge styling made famous in the automobile industry by Marcello Gandini with

brands such as Lamborgini, Maserati and Pantera, later followed by Cadillac. Regal uses the angular, wedge style to

create an optical illusion that the boat is long and low, something all boats aspire to be.

Exterior Styling. A boat should be a thing of beauty to the owner, otherwise pride-of-ownership isgreatly diminished. There is no one “right” style.

We would break down the styling of the 14 boats in class into three broad groups—

a) Variations on Euro-styling from exaggerated to modest, from curvy, rounded lines to angular, wedge-shaped ones;

b) Downeast or a commercial workboat look;

c) A more conservative, generalized style (non-geographical) that is modern but still nautical.

The Regal 46 is definitely in the first category, and was designed with the “angular” styling in keepingwith the design theme used in its 42 and 53 Sport Coupes.

Regal is conscious of how important it is to have ample headroom both on the bridge deck and below –as well as to keep the length/height profile in a pleasing aesthetic ratio. For that reason the "positivewedge" style, and horizontal hull treatments tend to make the hull look longer and lower than it really is.It is an old boatbuilder technique.

The above colors are offered in Regal’s “Premier” color options.

These are Regal’s “Custom” colors. White comes standard.

Colored Hull or Not? White has been the traditional fiberglass boat color since the beginning of thismaterial in the boat industry and it is still prominent today because it nearly always comes standard.Further, colored gel coats show UV degradation much faster than does white (which has it, too, but itdoes not show as much). But the last decade or so colored gel coats have improved and owners have

learned that colored hulls simply look much better and with diligent compounding and waxing severaltimes a year can be kept looking good longer.

Plus builders and dealers have finally learned that if they put a colored hull in the boat show or on theirshowroom floor it will be 100% better than the competitors' white ones.

Or Paint? Also, today several builders in class are offering polyurethane paint on their boats’ topsides.This is the best solution of all as this paint oxidizes at a far slower rate than does gel coat, and typicallylooks as good as new after 10 years or so. But of course it is more expensive.

The Regal 46 has standing headroom for both ladies…

…and men. This design makes sure that the sunroof does not have to be open for a tall captain to stand and steer. It is

one of the design decisions that sacrifices a bit of aesthetics for practicality. Captains wishing to steer standing with their

heads through the sun roof (as Europeans evidently do) will like a platform that folds down to create extra height.

Stand-Up Helm or Sitting Only? Some coupes and hardtops in class have an overhead above thehelm that is so low that the skipper cannot stand at the helm and steer as well as sit and steer. In someof these boats the skipper can open the sun roof and poke his head out and thereby stand. We callthese “sitting-only” helms. Exterior styling bears heavily on this aspect of a boat’s function and somebuilders choose to favor low, sleek exterior looks over steering practicality.

The skipper of the Regal 46 can sit or stand and have excellent visibility.

Smart fellows know to let the lady do her share of the driving, for after all, in most cases the decision to own a boat was

made by both partners. It usually makes both feel more comfortable to sit together when underway. Regal knows that and

makes sure to take publicity shots like the one above on the 46 to make the point.

One of the joys of boat ownership is to share the sights on the water with a significant other. What better way than to sit

together in a double-wide helm seat? Also, two sets of eyes looking forward is better than one, particularly at high speed

when it is easy to become distracted by navigation screens.

Companion Seating for Piloting or None? Some boats, such as the Regal 46, have a double widehelm bench seat large enough for two. Other boats in class have two individual seats next to eachother at the helm, or a helm seat to one side and a companion seat on the opposite side, but facingforward and in a position to help the skipper with piloting and navigation. Some boats have only a helmseat and no dedicated companion seat.

Most boats in class are designed to go fast and often navigation decisions must be made requiring thecaptain or the companion to consult a chartplotter, paper chart or put glasses on a navigation aid. Thatis why it is good to have two people piloting the boat.

The Regal 46 deck plan.

The cockpit of the Regal 46 seats seven adults.

The afterdeck of the Regal 46 is versatile, serving as a lounge for the afterguard to chew the fat at the end of a long day, or

a place to dine with the addition of a table. It can also serve as a nav station when underway, or a good place for people to

sit facing forward.

A Cockpit or Not? Some boats in class have an outside cockpit that is about at the level of the swimplatform, then a second seating area – the afterdeck -- that is usually behind or adjacent to the helm.Other boats in class have no aft cockpit and often have a bench seat to port adjacent to the helm andan afterdeck that almost always has a table and is surrounded by seating.

The Regal 46 SC has both a conventional cockpit and a small afterdeck with table.

The Regal 46 Sport Coupe has the option of having an enclosed afterdeck. This makes the boat a true 4-season vessel

and holds in the air conditioning better than a canvas and isinglass curtain. It also has advantages during winter storage

and is more secure when not being used.

The standard version of the 46 Sport Coupe is open so everyone can enjoy the summer air. A canvas and isinglass back

curtain or a camper-style canvas arrangement for buttoning up both the cockpit and after deck are options. The fold-away

flatscreen TV is optional.

Enclosed Afterdeck or Open? When the coupes and hardtops were first introduced a few years agovirtually all of them were open in this size range, but now some are built with a permanent bulkheadand door, or by sliding doors. The geographic location of the boat and its intended use usuallydetermine what owners prefer. Both modes have their advantages.

The Regal 46 has an option for sliding doors which eliminates the need for a canvas and isinglassenclosure. By having two sliding doors that move outboard Regal has tried to minimize both the visualand physical obstruction of doors. Even with the sliding doors, the cockpit itself can still have a cruisingcanvas added.

The walkthough windscreen is wide and tall, making walking out to the bow a cinch.

The Regal 46 has treads on its three steps to the walkthrough windshield. We recommend coming down these steps

backwards.

As can be seen in this image the side decks on the Regal 46 are narrow, just wide enough to place one foot in front of the

other. There is a bit more room at thigh level, but keep in mind that Captain Steve is 175 lbs. (80 kgs.). “A” indicates good

hand holds all along the coach roof line.

Windshield Walkthrough or Side Decks Only? During the last decade several boat builders in classbegan adding walkthrough windshield access to the foredeck. This was done in an attempt to add ameasure of security to going forward. The second benefit was the ability to minimize the width of theside decks in order to add a few more inches of width to the cabin.

The concept is really only comfortable for a tall person if there is no windshield header above theopening, otherwise a low crouch is required. It also requires water-tight gaskets on the openingwindshield frame. There is also an extra windshield mullion that takes some getting used to. Finally,while going forward can be managed fairly easily, on the return there is little to hold onto whendescending the inside steps which can be narrow.

The Regal 46 SC has a galley down. By placing a Staron filler plate over the two-burner stovetop (center), the builder is

able to create some much needed counter space.

Just behind the helm seating is a standard refreshment center with sink and refrigerator in the Regal 46.

Regal offers a fiberglass console for the cockpit with electric grill and icemaker. Taken together, there could be nearly a

second galley on the main deck.

Galley Up or Down? There are pros and cons to either

arrangement so consumers must figure out which one suits them best.

Typically, boats with large afterdecks have the room for a galley up, allowing more room below foraccommodations. Some of them have it up and others have it down. Boats such as the Regal 46 with acockpit and small afterdeck usually don’t have room for a proper galley up and that is why the 46’sgalley is down.

Regal has tried to mitigate this situation by building in a standard “refreshment center” that has a sinkand optional fridge, plus there is an optional grill and icemaker in the cockpit.

This is the Regal 46 interior layout.

The forward head compartment in the 46 SC.

This sink and solid-surface countertop, mirror and cabinets are in the mid-cabin and the toilet/shower is through a door to

the left.

The water closet in the mid-cabin has a lot of things going for it in the Regal 46: A) Ventilation fan; B) Adjustable height

shower head; C) Teak seat that folds down over the toilet seat; D) A standard quiet-flush head unit instead of a vacuum-

type system; E) A drain that is in the lowest part of the shower compartment so water won’t puddle up somewhere else.

One Head or Two? All 14 boats we looked at in class have two staterooms below, although in a couplethe second cabin was quite small. But more of a difference appeared in the number of heads – 5 of the14 had only one head. The advantages of two heads, even if the second one is small, are obvious.

This picture of the entrance mid-cabin in the Regal 46 as seen from the salon. “A” is directly under the seating around the

dinette table above and headroom here is 6’2” (1.87 m); “B” is 38” (95 cm) from the top of the mattress to the overhead

over the bed. At the head of the bed there is 32” (80 cm) over the mattress.

How Much Headroom in the Mid-Cabin? Essentially all builders in class tuck the mid-cabin under thebridge deck and afterdeck. That means that the dinette seating or the fore-and-aft bench seat oppositethe helm, provides the headroom in the entrance to the cabin below. A couple of boats use the helmconsole for the headroom below.

To our knowledge no boats in this class have standing headroom throughout the mid-cabin. So thequestion becomes, is there standing headroom in the entrance to the room, at the foot of the bed, andin the head/shower? The Regal 46 Sport Coupe does about as well as any boat we have tested inclass with 6'2" (1.87 m) of headroom in these three areas. It is also worth noting, that there is a windowin the aft cabin.

The Regal 46 Sport Coupe is only offered with diesel IPS pod drives.

Gas or Diesel Power? Most boats in class – such as Regal -- offer only diesel power, but a few

builders offer a choice of gas or diesel. This class of express cruisers ranging from 22,000 lbs. to32,000 lbs. (10,000 to 14,545 kgs.) displacement can typically be powered by production inboard gasengines from 380-hp to 430-hp and have a WOT speed in the low to mid-30 mph range. However, atbest cruise speeds, their fuel efficiency is often half that of diesel engines. Nevertheless, for mostpeople in the U.S. the disparity between the cost of gas engines and diesel engines is almost neverrecouped in fuel savings.

In Europe, where gasoline is $10 per gallon or more, diesel make sense because the price is usuallylower and the fuel-efficiency is sometimes 100% more. Besides the significant increase in a boat’srange, there are also the safety advantages of diesel. Regal offers only Volvo Penta IPS500 andIPS600 (370 to 435-hp) diesel pod drive engines.

Only Volvo Penta IPS propulsion is available in the Regal 46 SC.

Type of Propulsion. Currently there are three types of propulsion used in express cruisers in this class–

a) Pod drives for both gas and diesel;

b) Sterndrives for both gas and diesel;

c) Conventional inboard and V-drive propulsion.

Pod Drives. Generally – according to BoatTEST.com tests -- diesel pod drives are from 30% to 50 %more fuel-efficient in the same hulls over conventional diesel inboard-powered boats. Anotheradvantage of pods is that they are installed farther aft than straight-shaft inboards, thereby permittingmore room for accommodations. In the beginning they were the only drives that could be used with ajoystick for easy docking, but today pretty much every boat in class can be outfitted with a joysticksystem.

Sterndrives. Only a couple of boats in class are powered by diesel sterndrive systems, mostlybecause of concern about corrosion issues and concerns about their gears and shafts being able totake the high torque of diesel engines. But in the last few years sterndrive makers have made importantstrides in corrosive-resistant alloys and heavier-duty lower unit architecture. They have virtually all ofthe attributes of pods plus a few of their own and are now mated with joysticks.

Conventional Inboard Drives. While straight inboard drives require that the boat’s engines be placedfairly far forward, when turned around and used with V-drives the engines can be placed almost as faraft as pod drive engines. In fact, some of the first conversions to pod drives were in models that werepreviously powered with V-drives. As noted above this system is not as efficient as the others atcruising speeds.

Last year she was called the 44 Sport Coupe, this year the 46 Sport Coupe, but she seems to be able to compete with

smaller and larger boats no matter what she is called.

Observations

There are several other major considerations such the basics of beam, draft, displacement andwhether or not the boat can handle a dinghy. The answers are that the 46 Sport Coupe is about asbeamy as they come in class, draws pretty much what the rest do, is relatively light but not the lightestin class, and can handle a tender with a Weaver system if not on the swim platform itself.

Clearly, Regal has tried to hit all of the consumers’ hot buttons, including price. The Regal 46 SportCoupe has a base MSRP of $584,000 which the builder says is a well-equipped price.

Standard and Optional Equipment

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Marine Electronics

Autopilot

Fishfinder

GPS/Chart

Radar

VHF Radio

Systems

Air Cond./Heat

Battery Charger/Converter

CD Stereo

Head: Fixed

Trim Tabs

TV/DVD

Water Heater

Windlass

Galley

Icemaker

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Microwave

Refrigerator

Stove

Exterior Features

Carpet: Cockpit

Hardtop

Outlet: 12-Volt Acc

Swim Platform

Transom Shower

Wet bar

Boats More Than 30 Feet

Freezer

Generator

Oil Change System

Vacuum

Washer/Dryer

= Standard = Optional

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Warranty

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to ensure themost up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuraciesof the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your localdealer before you buy any boat.

Full Warranty Information on this brand coming soon!

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Price

Regal 46 Sport Coupe (2014-) Price

Pricing Range $584,000.00

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your localdealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boatmodel.

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