Comparing new boats. ..wondering about Regal

harringtondav

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I've generally believed the way a boat is used, maintained, and stored as important, if not more important than the boat brand for longevity and reliability.

I've got my comparison sheet built comparing several 19-20' BR brands, including Regal. The best thing about the Regal is the price and dealer on my water. Ignoring my feelings above, the lucrative price on the Regal makes me wonder if it's inferior.

....any thoughts?
 

southkogs

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Inferior to a Chris Craft or Boston Whaler or Riva ... probably. Inferior to a Bayliner ... probably not :)

Regal has been making boats since 1969. Some of 'em have been good ... and some of 'em haven't. And what I mean by that is they can only be so bad, and still be in business. I run a Bayliner, which by all definitions should be a dog. But, since the folks didn't want/need it any longer, I took it - and honestly, the boat has fit my needs just about right. It's in good shape and relatively problem free.

I think if the Regal fits your build expectations, your price point and (most importantly) what type of boating you're doing - it's got a very good chance of being a good boat.
 

harringtondav

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.......I think if the Regal fits your build expectations, your price point and (most importantly) what type of boating you're doing - it's got a very good chance of being a good boat.

My current Larson has been cited as a 'intro' or starter boat of iffy quality. But with good care it's still in great shape after 24 yrs. Cobalt and others in that class are far out of my reach and personal value standards.

The current Regal promotional price is about $12K under MSRP. ...trying to sell more iffy boats, or showing their hand on total mark-up? Beats me.

Chaparral has a model I like. But their price is way above the Regal. The Chaparral dealer said their price is nonnegotiable. Set by Chaparral to keep dealers from cannibalizing each other. Comes across as a little smelly to me. I hope it helps Chaparral sell boats. If not, maybe they'll come up with a promo before I write a check elsewhere.
 

crazy charlie

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Regal is a high quality boat.right on line with Searay and a step under Formula .Chaparral is a significant step under all mentioned.More on line with a Bayliner except they look much nicer than a Bayliner.The Regal lifetime hull warranty should tell you something about quality.
 

harringtondav

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Regal is a high quality boat.right on line with Searay and a step under Formula .Chaparral is a significant step under all mentioned.More on line with a Bayliner except they look much nicer than a Bayliner.The Regal lifetime hull warranty should tell you something about quality.[

...You should hear what Chaparral and Regal say about each other;). I've around a while and around many different boat brands. Not thinking I'll get burnt. PS. Regal has a promo that puts them on top price wise. ..including an upgrade from 200 to 250 hp Merc 4.5.
 
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Ike-110722

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You should hear what Chaparral and Regal say about each other
Do not give any credence to what one boat manufacturer says about another boat manufacturer. The same goes for boat sales, never listen to what they say about other brands. They are simply trying to sell you their own brand. Do what you are doing, ask people who have owned or now own the boats you are looking at. Or talk to marine surveyors and mechanics who work on that boat brand. They know what's good and bad, and what problems occur.
 

mt2006

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We bought a new Regal last year after comparing it to Sea Ray, Chap, and Crownline. Once I started haggling it turned out the Sea Ray was the cheapest and Chap the most expensive. The Regal and Crownline were hands down the nicer of the group. I ended up choosing the Regal because of the seating layout, Volvo power, and dealer. I prefer the closed cooling system and shifting of the VP. I saw on another post that you want to stick with an Alpha....so I won’t try to sway you.

IMO......you can’t go wrong with the Regal.
 

racerone

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Find out if they use any wood in the structure of the Regal.--------Wood is cheap / easy to cut and use in manufacturing.----Composites cost more and do not rot.-----Any " cut away " displays available to look at ?
 

harringtondav

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Find out if they use any wood in the structure of the Regal.--------Wood is cheap / easy to cut and use in manufacturing.----Composites cost more and do not rot.-----Any " cut away " displays available to look at ?

Structure is key for sure. Larson used VEC wood free mfg. for a few years, but it didn't work out...or did most Larsen boats. ...now a division of Polaris. I've web researched wood free boat hull mfgs, and didn't come up with much in my boat class or price range.

A Cobalt or Bryant or any other boat with wood structure will eventually rot if the owner slacks off on care. I've always kept my boat on a trailer or lift with the bilge plug open. Have also regularly replaced the storage/mooring cover when leaky. Fiberglass boats are great keeping the water out from beneath. Not so much topside. Water rots. Ignored transom leaks rot.

I've noticed most BRs now have fully glassed in floors. A big advantage in my mind. But a dry bilge is critical.
 

jbetzelb

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I have a 2017 Regal 2300 Volvo penta DP and love everything about it. There are small amounts of wood in it but the main structure if glass. I dont worry about rot. I store inside so it is never wet very long. If feels like a solid boat on the water. Doesnt rattle, shake or bend in rough water. .
 

briangcc

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I'm not going to debate where brands end up where but the one thing that has always annoyed me on the new Regals is this....

They put red lights up on the transom in the event the trailer lights give out. These will light up instead and get plugged in somewhere inline with the trailer harness. Here's my issues with those:

1. I use a travel cover no matter what the pundits here may say. That'll cover them up and render them totally useless.
2. They look archaic....something my safety nut dad would have done to our old MFG...and did when he added reflectors and orange caution tape all over the transom of our MFG.
3. There's now a hole in the boat that really isn't necessary...and could let water in if not sealed correctly.

That'd be the first thing I'd have the dealer remove and glass over.


**And yes I let the Regal dealer have it on those at a couple different boat shows. They're the only brand that I've seen that thinks this is necessary.
 

JASinIL2006

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They put brake lights on the BOAT? That's really odd. I would not like that, either.
 

mt2006

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They are thin led lights and I believe they are surface mounted under cutouts on the sun pad on mine. I agree they are gimmicky, but the travel cover actually has clear vinyl cutouts over them so they are visible with the cover on.

Not sure I would let them sway my decision one way or the other!
 

jbetzelb

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Kind of like a third brake light on a car. Mine are a quarter inch by 2 inches and basically hidden under the pad.
 
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