Regal 2800 Review

While the Regal 2800 offers ample performance from its 380-horsepower Volvo Penta DuoProp sterndrive engine, what really stands out is its luxurious design.

The Regal 2800 was designed from the outset with a focus on enjoying the outdoors in comfort. The interior is open, yet with seating arranged to create three distinct conversation zones. Up front in the bow, there’s room for an entire gang to hang out and relax with its near fully wrap-around seating and full wrap-around interior coaming for added comfort. A small metal receptacle on the forward end of the compartment accommodates a removable, pedestal-mount table, allowing the bow to serve as a comfy lunch spot. Or stow the table, fold down the arm rests on the twin forward-facing loungers, and soak in the sounds from the twin stereo speakers while enjoying the warmth of the sun.

An elegantly curved walk-through windshield and twin consoles separate the bow from the main cockpit. The windshield, along with the standard walk-through bow doors, does an excellent job of closing off the cockpit on cool days to protect against the cold, allowing this boat to be enjoyed much earlier and later in the season than it could otherwise. Add the Cold Weather package with its cockpit heater and the Regal 2800 becomes a boat that’s honestly usable from ice-out to freeze-up.

The Regal 2800’s spacious bow offers tremendously versatile seating, making this a great place to lounge, soak up the sun, or enjoy lunch with a view.

Both the helm and passenger console are topped with hand-wrapped, hand-stitched vinyl upholstery for a rich feel and look. The passenger console includes a thoughtful grab rail and storage tray up top, while concealing a surprisingly spacious, full-sized head compartment with dark cherry cabinetry and a vessel sink. A chemical toilet is standard equipment (with an electric head available as an upgrade), along with LED courtesy lighting and a pressurized water system, complete with water pump, tank, and a filtration system.

The helm console is neatly designed and ideally positioned for optimal driving comfort.

The helm console of the Regal 2800 is equally well thought out, with the stylish dash focused around an LCD multi-function display to center and fog-free Faria gauges mounted to either side. A digital depth sounder and a perfectly-placed beverage holder are nice touches, but the real crown jewel here is the beautifully hand-wrapped premium steering wheel, which not only looks great but feels wonderful in hand thanks in no small part to the addition of power-assisted steering as standard equipment.

There’s plenty of storage aboard the 2800, including a large in-floor locker for bulky gear.

The audio system deserves special mention, since Regal splurged and equipped the 2800 with a Fusion UD750 marine head unit and top-of-the-line 200-watt Fusion cockpit speakers with an IP65 waterproof rating. Considered one of the best marine stereos available, the UD750 has full integration with your smart phone so you can stream audio to it via Bluetooth, or enjoy its traditional AM/FM radio tuners.

The helm and passenger seats are both double-wide and reversible, so they can be used for forward-facing or aft-facing seating., with flip-up bolsters. Set to face aft, they work with the side benches and transom seats to complete the main cockpit as a second conversation zone. Add the pedestal-mount table (or two of them, if you like) for dining or drinks al fresco.

A removable table can be installed in the bow or stern for drinks or lunch.

Throughout the boat you find stainless steel beverage holders are always within easy reach. The abundant seating creates an abundance of storage spaces for all sorts of gear, while two in-floor gear lockers with gas-assisted lids accommodate larger, bulkier items with ease. Overhead, the standard Bimini top protects the entire cockpit from the mid-day sun. Two built-in insulated coolers are a thoughtful touch, as is the dedicated trash receptacle.

Attention to detail includes a handy transom cooler just above the swim platform, so swimmers can grab a cold drink without having to even reboard the boat.

Twin double-wide benches at the stern not only provide comfortable forward-facing seating, the backs can adjust to offer aft-facing seating as well, making them a great spot to dry off after a swim or get set up for water sports. There’s a transom shower as standard equipment which helps keep the sand out of the boat. The extended swim platform sits low to the water, making water sports activities easier, but buyers who really enjoy the water might prefer to splurge on the optional electric Power Platform that gently submerges at the touch of a button to make getting into and out of the water that much easier.

One popular option is the electrically-actuated Power Platform that submerges at the touch of a button.

Stretching 28 feet, four inches in overall length and running on a broad, nine-foot beam, the Regal 2800 rides on the company’s FasTrac hull design that utilizes a step cut across the bottom to forces air under the hull and break the surface tension for faster planing and higher top speeds. Further, the design is said to deliver up to 30% greater fuel economy.

With a 380-horsepower Volvo Penta DuoProp sterndrive, the 6,550-pound Regal 2800 leaps onto plane in under four seconds, hits 30 mph in under 10 seconds and achieves a top speed of close to 50 mph. This boat doesn’t just look fast, it runs like a speedboat while offering much greater comfort.