Regal 2860 Window Express

And behold, that is what Regal delivers in its 2860 Window Express.

Think more glass, more class, and more light for a cheery ambience below decks where others are dark and dingy. Couple that with accommodation for four, amenities for a weekend or more, and the Regal 2860 is a clever, contemporary sportscruiser designed to, well, light up the life of a footloose family or cruisy couple.

Long known for its distinguishing features and its sweet-running hulls, Regal is one of America’s biggest boatbuilders but, surprisingly, it remains a private company. It’s that independence which has doubtless provided impetus for the boatbuilder’s innovative thinking.

Unique design details like, well, the Window Express, has resulted in the boatbuilder collecting a few of those much-vaunted J.D. Powers and Associates awards for customer satisfaction, most recently this year for is Express Cruisers range, which encompasses the 2860 pictured hereabouts.

But besides the windows, there are funky mouldings and other aesthetic points of difference. And the 2860 impressed Trade-A-Boat just as much for its smart blend of amenities, seating and living spaces without compromise in any one department.

 In other words, the 2860 is a nice blend of form and function and, with some handpicked factory options like a Raymarine C70 chartplotter, it’s ready to hit the harbour or bay and range to nearby ports.

POINTS OF DIFFERENCE
While not all sportscruisers in the 28 to 30ft class come with twin engines, Regal goes one better by offering dual 225hp Volvo 4.3 OSI petrol inboards (MerCruiser options) with sterndrives on its 2860.

The OSI Series is designed for saltwater use, with composite sterndrive legs and trim rams, beefed-up engineering but light blocks for optimum power-to-weight, and each motor or set thereof comes with a dash-mounted Neutra-Salt flush system to keep the block(s) corrosion-free.

Sydney Regal dealer, Chapman Marine, added to the eye candy by ordering a Mediterranean blue hull with yellow or Desert Sand bootstripe, Spinnaker Blue decor, and Sahara (sand-coloured) upmarket Corian counters.

The boat also had an upgraded Kenwood stereo with iPod adaptor and transom remote, optional cockpit fridge and alcohol electric stove plus, most importantly, the dealer fitted a 1000W inverter so the owner had 240V power at hand when not tied to the marina.

The inverter means you can use the microwave, albeit a small Tappan model, for reheat-and-eat homemade meals. A petrol generator and air-con are optional but I wouldn’t bother with the costly options. Besides, the 2860 has great cross-flow ventilation.

I also noted Weaver snap davits on the transom, another owner-fitted option, so you can tootle around with your tender on the transom. Drop anchor (the windlass is an option but standard on all 2860s imported here) and row to a beach, grab a mooring and paddle into a dinner table, drift about for fishing and have fun with the kids in summer.

 Then, at the end of the day, deflate the duckie, roll it up and stow it below decks. But that’s about all that’s needed on the options list to turn the 2860 into a neat weekender.

TOUR OF DUTY
The boat came with a full set of factory-fitted camper covers, which are standard on the imported boat, so you can use the accommodating cockpit year round in fair weather or foul. I also noted the boarding platform is big enough to hangout or wet a line, the cleats and swim ladder are easily accessible, and there are steps up either side for jumping off onto a wharf or another boat during a raft up.

But the 2860 isn’t a walkaround sportscruiser. Instead, Regal has maximised cockpit and cabin space, and, sensibly, gone for through-dash-only access to the bow. Good move, as there is no safer route to the foredeck than up the moulded steps in the dash and through the opening windscreen. With a windlass fitted, the only reason you’ll head forward is to tie a fender or grab a mooring line, and the bowrail and moulded towrails help with that.

The outdoor living area, where you’ll hang out and cruise, is fitted with a nice mix of plush seating and, within arm’s reach of that, amenities. The aft lounge can seat two people or fold down to create a bigger cockpit for fishing or summer fun space. Opposite is an aft facing lounge that, with a drop-in table, creates a lunch setting for four.

If you flip the backrest from the aft-facing lounge in its optional forward-facing position you create more seating for cruising. In this guise, the L-shaped lounge can accommodate three or four or, at rest, one lucky person in a reclined position. Either way, most of the seating is protected to some degree by the bimini top swinging from a two-pack painted alloy targa arch.

Amenities include the customary drinkholders, the optional 12V fridge and, bravo, a potable Igloo icebox so you can bring lunch aboard or stock-up on crustaceans and refreshments on the water. Storage is plentiful including huge under-lounge holds. And with high and low table pedestals you can create an aft sunpad to work on your tan.

WEEKENDER AWAY
Despite its modest size there’s headroom in the 2860, at least where you set foot in the saloon, and the interior feels big and spacious thanks not only to clever Window Express design, with forward-facing saloon windows, but also abundant hatches, a mirror-backed bulkhead and uncluttered open-plan layout.

There was a Grundig television fitted while the upgraded Kenwood stereo system extended to cabin speakers. You could do both (not simultaneously, of course) from the deep, surround seating in the bow that doubles as a dinette or converts to a second double berth. But if you’re a couple, it’s best to leave the bow seating as is, as the aft double bed is a beauty, not at all poky, and easily accessible.

Storage exists in various hatches, under-bed recesses and a cedar-lined hanging locker. The AC/DC panel is simple, with the inverter switch included, and a water-tank gauge. With 132lt of water you should be able to last a weekend and longer with a visit to a marina for a top up.

Besides upmarket Corian counters and cherrywood joinery, the galley has a decent fridge, deep round sink, electric/alcohol stove, small Tappan microwave and enough room to ready dinner for four. The moulded head is similarly obliging, with a Vacuflush loo, handheld shower, full-length mirror, decent vanity and ventilation. All told, perfect as a weekender for a couple or, if you don’t mind converting the dinette, a family of four.

ENGINES AND ELECTRONICS
The push-button electric engine-room hatch makes for easy pre-departure checks and, with the lid up, there’s great access to the Volvo Penta motors, the holding and water tank, and I noted an optional Fireboy fire-retarding system, gas detector, and separate engine and house batteries.

The helm, meanwhile, had a nice low-glare dash that doesn’t reflect in the windscreen, recessed Raymarine C70 chartplotter that lets you cruise the coast and inland waterways with confidence, Faria depth sounder and chain counter for precise anchoring, Raymarine VHF radio and mounting spot for the EPIRB, plus a full spread of Faria analogue engine gauges.

There was a trim gauge and, of course, individual engine leg trims and trim tabs so you can set up the boat any which way and keep it on an even keel when, say, running beam-on to strong winds or with an uneven crew load. The wheel is a trick mahogany number and vision when seated, especially when perched on the flip-bolster that bolsters your height, was great. Nice clear, reassuring sight lines. A spotlight was fitted to assist with night cruising and anchoring.

CRUISING BEAUTY
After leaving Sydney’s Birkenhead Point Marina, a decent place to keep a boat like this since it includes a shopping centre, we cruised the harbour, arced about before the high rise, and ducked into a few quieter bays. Incessant ferry wake rebounding off the retaining walls provided a fitting test, and the 2860 felt smooth and agreeable at most cruise speeds.

With full leg-in trim, the boat comes out nice and level, and holds a nanna cruise of 19 to 21kts at 3000rpm, with a bit of leg-out trim. The boat is trim sensitive and with less of the legs in the water, and some more throttle, we clocked 26 to 27kts at 3500rpm, which is fast enough to cover a fair bit of water.

The steering is responsive and the 2860 turns snappily off the wheel. Some turns, then a bit more throttle and we found a smooth high-speed cruise of 33 to 34.5kts at 4000rpm. But engine noise becomes obvious beyond this and the boat becomes quite flighty.

Top speed, for what it's worth, was 37kts at 4600rpm. so, ther's plenty in reserve for carrying a decent crew out on the harbour, bay or river for a lunch trip. Underway, it's just a no-brainer and an easy boat to drive.

With many more marinas with small ‘affordable’ berths coming on line in South East Queensland and Melbourne, approval given for a giant drystack on Sydney Harbour, and surely something in Perth before too long, the market for compact, sporty weekenders like this is set to expand.

When you consider the improving baby rate and all those new families coming through the ranks, the 25 to 30ft sportscruiser has a bright future. At $205,000 with some goodies, Regal’s rendition is right on the money and, did I mention it, it offers a point or two of difference.

HIGHS

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