Regal 2550

2016 £69,995

A particularly sharp-looking sportsboat, this 25-footer is made by family-owned boatbuilder Regal in Florida. Built to a higher standard than some of the mass-produced Americana, it’s very much a current staple of the range, this particular boat being an ex-demo model.

INTERIOR

An unusual feature of the interior for a boat of this size and type is the option of a fully enclosed head. While it offers more privacy, it creates the smallest compartment you’ve ever origami-ed yourself into – open plan of this boat is a better bet. Regal is improving the enclosed head going forward. Seat backrests create the double berth infill with the struts neatly clipped under the seat base.

EXTERIOR

Two choices of cockpit, Leather Crest vinyl colourway – cream/brown or grey/ silver. The brown looks nice but comes with mockhogany plastic wood on the dash – the alloy panel that comes with grey upholstery is nicer. There’s loads of storage in the cockpit, space for a coolbox and a clip-in table. That ‘Powertower’ arch folds flat, and waterproof carpets that clip in help cement the quality feel (as opposed to the glued-down variety), as does the stainless-steel windscreen frame. Both front seats swivel to join the party at rest.

PERFORMANCE

Regal claims that its Fastrac stepped hull design increases top speed by 26% and fuel efficiency by 30%. Bold claims, and hard to prove without an identical unstepped boat, but certainly the 2550 goes well. The 300hp V8 Mercruiser fitted to this boat should knock on the door of 40 knots. A Volvo Penta D3-220 is a parsimonious option, but a rare one as it was a £15,000 upgrade new.

SEAKEEPING

Ride is firm but not harsh, and the steering is quick and precise. A wellshaped and adjustable helm seat, adjustable wheel and sturdy footbrace help lock the helmsman in position, ready to fully exploit the performance.