Regal Commodore 292

Cruising against the backdrop of Sydney city past blocks of new waterfront apartments with expectant mooring facilities nearby, the Regal Commodore 292 seems as at home as a cat curled up in front of a fireplace. Or perhaps a kangaroo on our coat of arms.

Neither too big to manage yourself, nor too small to entertain guests and use as a weekender, this is exactly the kind of modern mid-sized American cruiser that more and more Australians are seeking.

With the 292, you're getting a boat that can do everything rather well. Coupled with a sporty profile and twin V-eight motors, it doesn't wait around for things to happen. Instead, the boat seemingly plans your outing all by itself.

Little forethought and preparation is needed to have a good time aboard the 292. Your day on the water could be as simple as turning the key, ducking by the fish markets for prawns and salad, and slipping up the harbour for an anchorage somewhere.

Or it could be as complicated as throwing a doona, a change of clothes, a tub of pumpkin soup, a few loaves of fresh bread, and some bacon and eggs aboard. Provisioned, you could take off for the day and night or longer.

Either way, by its very nature the 292 is easygoing and flexible. It's inviting inside and out, with sufficient cockpit space to entertain six guests and the seaworthiness needed to traverse big open bays without drama.

One of the boat's best selling points is found down below. No, not the wonderful wooden joinery or the open-plan interior with headroom but the bathroom. On this 29-footer, it has headroom, a shower, sink... in fact, everything you'd expect in a much bigger boat.

COCKPIT CAPERS
You don't have to look far to find the smart design features. Step onto the full-length moulded boarding platform over the sterndrive legs and you'll see a swim ladder to port, a hot/cold deck shower near the transom door, and a clever shore-power set-up that hides the leads in a hatch.

The layout itself is like a sportsbridge with the skipper and navigator seated one step above those reclining on the cockpit seats, which consist of a giant U-shaped lounge on portside and a demountable rear benchseat.

Remove the cockpit table and fold away the benchseat and within minutes the 292 Commodore converts from lunch venue to quasi-fishing boat. The extra floor space also comes in handy during waterways tours and when everyone arrives with a friend in tow.

Conversely, with the infill adjoining the cockpit seating, you can create a great big sunlounge - perfect for those intimate spring days when you want to nuzzle up to your partner, work on your tan or laze around reading trashy novels.

All the while there is a wet-bar beckoning an arm's reach away. Moulded into the starboard side of the self-bailing cockpit, Regal's 'refreshment centre' has a sink, stainless grabrail and optional icemaker or fridge.

Of course, drinkholders are everywhere you need them. Kenwood outdoor speakers are mounted in the boat's sexy targa arch, while there are courtesy and night lights to illuminate the decks.

Underfloor is the engine access.With the engine hatch balancing on struts, you can see all parts of the petrol engines and inspect the bilge. There is plenty of dedicated mounting space for a generator - the test boat had an inverter instead - and an airconditioning unit (optional) should you plan to create an even more serious cruising boat.

DRIVING STATION
Step up to the helm area and you are afforded a much better view of what lies ahead. The windscreen, while tying into the low-profile lines of the boat, offers much-needed wind-protection when you are seated.

The curvaceous benchseat that faces the skipper will encourage conversation while underway, and insulation of the engines seemed good. The skipper can drive from one of three positions: seated behind the windscreen, sitting on top of the benchseat and peering over the top, or standing, which grants a clear view to all the quarters of the boat.

As an indication of how much I was enjoying driving the 292 Commodore, I failed to take elaborate notes about its dashboard. Suffice to say, it looks the part with walnut facias and stainless-rimmed gauges. There was map storage and space for the throttles and trim switches near where your right hand rests on the throttles.

HITTING THE SUNDECK
A nice bit of planning are the big moulded steps that lead up onto the foredeck through the centre-opening windscreen. While you can also scamper around the outer decks, these steps in the dash were so well done that they made the foredeck a very useable bit of space.

While you have the option of adding a padded sunpad to the deck, the boat looks just fine the way it comes. The bowrail is high enough to provide support, but stylish in the way it rakes aft. There are cleats where you need them for tying off fenders, the electric anchor winch is very smartly tucked under a hatch where you can't see it, and the non-skid seemed to grip my shoes like non-skid should.

Regal's mouldings are something to admire and the 292 is no exception with bumps and curves and a touch of European elan. The boat's profile is one of sportiness, yet there's a classic feel from the high trim level and the smart oval portholes and fittings.

<B.PRIVATE B HOTEL
Step below and the first thing to grab your attention is the European-looking finish. Sweet pearwood joinery combines with the warm tones of natural and artificial lighting. The fabrics feel like good quality - the test boat had warm patterns of autumn browns, clarets and golds.

The lovely head is located immediately to port at the foot of the companionway where day guests won't miss it. It has headroom, plenty of space and amenities including an optional VacuFlush loo. But whereas the exterior is geared for packing a crowd aboard, I see the interior as more of a private sanctuary. While the mid-cabin quickly converts into a queen-sized berth, I think it works best as U-shaped seating adjoining the saloon.

The saloon itself has a booth-style dinette that converts to another berth. Again, the 292 Commodore is perfectly indulgent when this area has nothing more than a dining setting for two.

The galley is a serious bit of work. Included are Corian counters, lots of smart pearwood cupboards and pantry space. Cooking can be done on a two-burner electric/alcohol stove or microwave. Other features are a stainless sink, big fridge, and a built-in coffee maker. Fab!

A simple privacy curtain can be reeled out to seal-off the forepeak sleeping area. Hatches and portholes ensure adequate ventilation, and there are carbon-monoxide detectors throughout the boat as added optional safety features.

The owner's bed is obtuse, but plenty big enough for a couple. You can mount a TV/VCR nearby and very comfortably kick back and read the Sunday papers.

JUST CRUISING
As I said, the 292 seems perfectly at home in Australian waters. It has a laissez-faire attitude on water, which perhaps explains why I didn't concern myself jotting down speeds and revs but instead enjoyed the drive.

With twin 440hp 5.0lt V-eight MerCruiser petrol engines fitted with Alpha One sterndrive legs, the boat does a projected top speed around 40kt and cruises at 3000rpm at 22kt. Weighed down by a touch of marine growth, the testboat ran about 10% slower with four people aboard.

Yet it made no difference to the handling. With 18° of deadrise offset by a wide 3.1m beam, you get the best of both worlds. We cut through the ferry wake easily and in tight turns the stability of the boat shone through.

A cruising boat, an entertainer, a floating hotel room and a sports machine rolled into one - the 292 Commodore has a little of bit of everything to endear it to the hearts of most Australians. And if the $200,000 price tag is out of your reach, why not join Regal's boating club instead. For just $343 a week you can get access to 24 days on a 292 Commodore doing whatever it is you like to do on the water.