Regal 26 OBX Review

The Regal 26 OBX is a bowrider that offers more space than you’d expect from a 26-foot boat, along with a host of creature comforts.

Regal Boats has earned a loyal following among serious boaters on the strength of the company’s reputation for high quality construction and innovative designs. Those values are perfectly represented in its the new Regal 26 OBX, a delightful family runabout that beautifully blends functionality with style.

The boat’s styling is deceptive, clearly giving the 26 OBX the kind of generous interior space you would expect to only find in a much larger boat. Part of that lies within the furniture, which is brilliantly designed and thoughtfully positioned so that it provides plenty of comfortable seating while preserving interior space. The double-wide Social Seat in the mid-cockpit runs along the port side of the boat from the passenger console all the way back to the stern. With its adjustable back rest in the forward-facing position, it’s a great place to hang out when running from spot to spot. With the seat back adjusted to the rear-facing position, it’s an ideal spot to sprawl out and soak up the sun, or to watch the kids when they go out for a swim. Time for a family conversation? Used with the stern seat and the helm bucket swiveled around to face, the Social Seat forms the foundation of a fantastic living room-type space for open conversations. Install the removable table and you have the perfect lunch spot.

Regal’s double-wide “Social Seat” is the picture of adaptability, whether set to face forward, face aft or used as a lounger.

The stern Ultra Lounge seat deserves some special mention of its own, being a great spot to hang out whether under way or on the hook. Set it as a forward-facing seat, aft-facing seat, or lay out flat to create a large sun pad. Under the seat, there’s a storage compartment with a drain, making it an ideal spot to stow wet swimwear. Under that, there’s also a lazarette with a surprisingly large storage space, perfect for bulky gear.

Storage space abounds in the Regal 26 OBX, including a large storage compartment with drainage in the base of the stern seat.

There’s still more great seating up in the bow, with plenty of room for a couple of adults to stretch out and soak up some rays. The Regal 26 OBX makes the most of its full 8-foot, 6-inch beam, carrying its width forward of the windshield to offer an incredibly spacious bow – again, more than one would expect from a 26-foot boat. The bow seating also accommodates a removable table, and provides easy access to the dedicated anchor storage locker, eliminating the need to haul a wet, muddy anchor through the boat.

The wide bow provides an enormous amount of space.

No matter where you sit, you’ll note the upholstery work on the Regal 26 OBX is spectacular, with precise, tight, double-diamond stitching and premium vinyl throughout. All of the upholstery work on this boat is hand-crafted, and the attention to detail really shows. The seat cushions are just about ideal, offering plenty of support yet with pillow top comfort.

Stereo speakers and stainless steel accents throughout hint at the fun which lies ahead in the 26 OBX.

Being a Regal, the 26 OBX offers every imaginable luxury and creature comfort, including LED cockpit lights, beverage holders everywhere, stainless steel bow rails and a Fusion Bluetooth-enabled marine stereo with six 200-watt speakers. There’s stainless steel trim everywhere, and even the hatches are finished on both sides. There’s a dedicated trash compartment to keep the boat clean through the day, and a 12-volt outlet for a spotlight or other accessories.

While Regal ensures all guests are spoiled with luxury, it paid particular attention to the driver. A digital depth sounder with shallow water alarm and fog-free Faria gauges not only keep the driver informed, but work with the flush-mount flat screen display to turn the dash into a genuine piece of art. The oversized helm seat with flip up bolster complements the hand wrapped dash, while the elegant chrome-on-black tilt wheel and clean helm design make a statement about this boat being all about refinement and taste. Did we mention it also has power steering?

If anyone gets spoiled in this boat, it’s the driver with an elegant dash, a beefy padded steering wheel and even power steering.

The Regal 26 OBX has a few other tricks up its sleeves, starting with a stepped hull with an aggressive 21-degree deadrise. Widely used by offshore race boats, a stepped hull includes a transverse slice that breaks drag and improves performance. Designed for engines to 300 horsepower, the stepped hull makes the 26 OBX a legitimate 50 mph boat, which is extremely impressive given its 4,750-pound dry weight.

Powered by a single outboard of up to 300 horsepower, the 26 OBX is a legitimate 50 mph boat.

Want a few more tricks? Check out the aft “combo” cup holders. Look closely past the shining stainless steel bezels, and you’ll note the base is bored out to provide an integrated fishing rod holder. Now that’s slick. So is the neatly concealed head compartment hidden in the passenger console, complete with a porthole window, a sink, faucet and a solid-surface countertop.

Regal is one of the most highly respected names in boating, and boats like its new 26 OBX demonstrate why. Beautifully made and intelligently designed, this is one family runabout that everyone can enjoy.

Regal 26 OBX

• Length: 26’ 6”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry Weight: 4,750 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 103 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 12
• Fresh water capacity: 12 gal.
• Maximum power: 300 hp