REGAL 28 EXPRESS
BU ILT 2015 PR ICE £84 ,000
The Regal 28 Express was launched in 2013 and this smart modern sportscruiser is still in production. Like most boats of this size and style, the beam is limited to 8ft 6in as a sop to the Americans, who do like to drag them around behind their pick-up trucks (it’s the maximum towable width allowed in most states) but it utilises what it has well.
INTERIOR
The interior is entirely conventional with a dinette forward, heads opposite the galley, and a double berth back under the cockpit. All areas are a decent size, but maximising living space inevitably compromises storage space, so there are no hanging lockers for example. However, Regal has been quite clever with some of the storage solutions. The saloon table has a dedicated storage slot beneath the middle dinette cushion, its leg clipping neatly into a locker, and the dinette backrests are cunningly shaped to create the infill required to turn it into a double bed without recourse to more cushions.
EXTERIOR
In common with many of its contemporaries, the narrow beam means no side decks, the full width being used for the cockpit, so access forward is through the smart stainless steel framed windscreen.
Like the interior, the cockpit layout is conventional but with some nice touches, such as the double-ended chaise longue and the multi adjustable aft seat backrest locking into different positions to create a seating, sunbathing or lounging area. The powered folding arch is handy for reducing air draught.
PERFORMANCE
The standard engine option is a 5.0 litre V8 Mercruiser petrol engine, but most (like this boat) were upgraded to Mercruiser’s 5.7 litre 350 Magnum motor, which punches 300hp through its Bravo 3 twin prop sterndrive for a top speed of about 33 knots. Volvo Penta is also on the options list, and there is a 300hp diesel option.
SEAKEEPING
For a necessarily tall yet narrow boat the 28 Express is surprisingly stable at planing speeds, with little need of its standard fit trim tabs unless it’s particularly windy or unevenly loaded. Reasonably quiet with the V8 petrol engine too, it’s a smooth operator.