Best Regal Boat Models (Ranked) in 2027

1. 2023 Regal LS4

The LS4 ranks first because it delivers the widest capability spread of any Regal at a single price point. It runs roughly 24 feet with an 8.5-foot beam, seats up to 12, and rides the FasTrac stepped hull. Power spans a single 300-horsepower outboard to twin outboards or a 350-horsepower Volvo Penta sterndrive. Expect a high-30-mph cruise and a top end near 50 mph depending on rigging.

This suits a family running a dozen weekends a year who wants one boat for cruising, tubing, and entertaining. It trades away any cabin, berth, or head, so overnighting is off the table. Against the LS6 above it in size, the LS4 costs roughly $50,000 less new — near $130,000 versus $180,000 — and gives up freeboard and swim-platform area. Clean used examples sit in the low $90Ks.

2. 2018 Regal 2300

The 2300 ranks second on value density: it delivers Regal upholstery, storage, and hull quality at roughly $48,000 used, a figure that overlaps mid-tier competitors' new boats. It measures 23 feet with an 8.5-foot beam and typically carries a Volvo Penta 5.7-liter sterndrive around 300 horsepower. Top end runs an easy 45 mph. The open cockpit and tow pylon make it one of the better watersports platforms in the lineup.

Buyers stretching into the brand for the first time land here. The trade is age and drive type — a pre-2020 sterndrive means bellows, gimbal bearings, and impellers as recurring costs, plus a mandatory transom tap-test for saturation. Compared with the LS4 above, the 2300 gives up the stepped hull's dry ride and roughly 20 mph of nothing, but saves over $40,000.

3. 2022 Regal LS6

The LS6 earns third on sheer usable volume among day boats. It runs 27 feet with a beam near 9 feet, carrying meaningfully more freeboard and a larger swim platform than the LS4. Twin 300-horsepower outboards are the common rig, producing a 40-mph-plus cruise. New pricing runs near $180,000; used examples land in the mid-$100Ks. Twin outboards also mean no bellows, no gimbal bearings, and full service access at the transom.

This is a slip boat for owners who host groups and do not intend to trailer. It trades away ramp practicality and roughly $50,000 against the LS4 for space it only pays off when full. Options inflation is real here — refreshment centers, upgraded audio, and submersible platforms push the transaction price well past the advertised base.

4. 2019 Regal 26 Express

The 26 Express ranks fourth as the honest entry point into overnighting. It measures 27 feet overall with a 9-foot beam and carries a forward berth, an enclosed head, and a small galley. A Volvo Penta 5.7-liter around 320 horsepower delivers a low-30s cruise. Good used examples trade near $75,000, which is roughly $35,000 under the 28 Express for a comparable set of cabin functions.

A couple doing coastal weekends is the target buyer; four people aboard overnight is a stretch. The cabin costs cockpit openness, so this is a poor entertainer compared with the LS-series above it. Sterndrive service records are non-negotiable at this age — a seller without bellows and impeller documentation is asking you to pre-pay the work.

5. 2021 Regal 33 SAV

The 33 SAV ranks fifth because it is the lineup's purpose-built entertaining platform. It runs 35 feet overall with a beam over 10 feet, powered by triple 300-horsepower outboards for a high-30s cruise. The oversized U-shaped cockpit and beach-style swim platform are the entire design argument. New pricing approaches $400,000; used boats land in the high-$200Ks. Outboard power keeps service access simple despite the size.

This is a third-boat purchase for an owner with a deep-water slip and no towing ambitions. It trades away trailerability completely and carries roughly $28,000 to $40,000 a year against the 10-percent planning rule. Versus the 26 Express above, the SAV offers no meaningful cabin — it buys deck space, not sleeping quarters, at four times the price.

6. 2020 Regal 28 Express

The 28 Express ranks sixth as the most livable mid-size cruiser in the range. It measures 30 feet with a 9.5-foot beam and runs twin Volvo Penta sterndrives at a relaxed 30-mph cruise. The enclosed head and usable galley handle four people for coastal weekends rather than the two the 26 realistically sleeps. Good used examples trade near $110,000, placing it between the 26 Express and the 35 Sport Coupe.

Owners who actually sleep aboard several nights a season justify this. It trades speed and cockpit space for cabin volume, and twin sterndrives double the bellows, gimbal-bearing, and impeller service load of a single-drive boat. Against the 26 Express above it, the extra $35,000 buys real four-person capacity — not just a longer hull number.

7. 2016 Regal 2500

The 2500 ranks seventh on performance per dollar. It runs 25 feet with an 8.5-foot beam, seats up to 12, and carries a single Volvo Penta 6.2-liter around 350 horsepower for a 48-mph top end — within striking distance of the LS4 at roughly $55,000 used. The large open cockpit and tow pylon make it, alongside the 2300, one of the two genuine watersports picks in the lineup.

This fits a buyer who wants day-boat seating and speed without a six-figure outlay. Age is the trade: a 2016 sterndrive hull demands a transom tap-test for saturation, and soft spots can cost close to the boat's value to repair. Against the 2300 above it, the 2500 adds two feet and 50 horsepower for about $7,000 more.

8. 2022 Regal LS2

The LS2 ranks eighth as the lowest-hassle boat Regal builds. It measures 22 feet with an 8.5-foot beam, driven by a single 250-horsepower outboard to a 45-mph top end. The outboard eliminates bellows, gimbal bearings, and impellers entirely and lifts fully clear of the water at rest. New pricing sits near $95,000; used examples land in the high-$70Ks. Single-engine simplicity keeps annual carrying cost near the bottom of the range.

This serves an owner who trailers, launches solo, and values setup time over capacity. It trades seating and cockpit volume against the 2500 above, and costs roughly $20,000 more used for less boat. What you buy is a modern hull with no outdrive service exposure — a defensible swap if you intend to keep it a decade.

9. 2019 Regal 35 Sport Coupe

The 35 Sport Coupe ranks ninth because its capability is real but narrowly applicable. It runs 37 feet with a beam near 11 feet on twin Volvo Penta IPS pod drives, giving joystick docking and a 28-to-32-mph cruise. It sleeps four with a berth, head, and galley. Used examples trade near $200,000. Pod drives also deliver the best fuel efficiency in the lineup at cruise.

This is for a genuine coastal cruiser with a permanent slip. IPS pods trade simplicity for systems complexity and specialist service — verify a qualified network within range of your home water before committing. Against the 28 Express above it, the Sport Coupe adds seven feet and joystick control for roughly $90,000, plus a materially higher failure cost when something does go wrong.

10. 2017 Regal 2100

The 2100 ranks tenth as the lineup's trailerable floor. It measures 21 feet with an 8.3-foot beam and carries a single Volvo Penta 4.3-liter around 220 horsepower for a 40-mph top end. Single-axle trailerable means a standard half-ton tow vehicle handles it and you skip slip fees entirely. Used examples trade near $32,000 — the cheapest entry into Regal finish quality on this list.

This fits a lake owner storing at home who runs the boat a dozen afternoons a season. It trades seating, speed, and any chop capability against every boat above it. Transom saturation is the deal-killer to hunt for: on a sub-$50,000 hull, stringer or transom repair can approach the boat's total value, which is why this listing type dies at survey most often.

How we ranked these

Ranking weighted five measurable things: hull architecture and transom deadrise (how the boat handles real chop), propulsion architecture and its lifetime service burden, layout intent matched against the buyer each floorplan was drawn for, verified used-market pricing across the 2016-2023 model years, and documented performance — cruise speeds of 28 to 40 mph, top ends of 40 to 50 mph on day boats. Price-to-capability ratio broke ties.

Deliberately ignored: dealer-supplied marketing copy, brand-loyalty sentiment, and advertised base prices on new builds. Base price is not transaction price — refreshment centers, upgraded audio, submersible swim platforms, and twin-outboard rigging routinely push an LS4 or LS6 well past its advertised figure. Also excluded: owner-forum anecdote without service records behind it, and any horsepower claim not confirmed at wide-open throttle on a sea trial.

What to look for

The fork that actually decides your outcome is propulsion, not length. A sterndrive puts bellows, gimbal bearings, and impellers on your recurring bill; an outboard moves the powerplant outside the hull, simplifies service access, and lifts clear of the water at rest; IPS pods buy joystick docking at the cost of specialist-dependent service. Lowest-hassle Regal is almost always an outboard — LS2, outboard-rigged LS4, or the 33 SAV.

The common mistake is falling for a floorplan before confirming storage and tow capability. The 33 SAV and anything over 30 feet is not a casual-tow proposition, and a boat that never leaves the slip is a bad boat regardless of build quality. Second mistake: skipping the transom tap-test on pre-2015 sterndrive hulls. Saturated stringers can cost near the boat's value on a sub-$50,000 unit.

Related questions

What is the best overall Regal boat model?

The 2023 LS4 — roughly 24 feet, 8.5-foot beam, seating up to 12 on the FasTrac stepped hull. Power spans a single 300-horsepower outboard to twin outboards or a 350-horsepower Volvo Penta sterndrive, with a high-30-mph cruise and near-50-mph top end. New pricing lands near $130,000; clean used boats sit in the low $90Ks. The stepped hull keeps the bow flat and the ride genuinely dry.

Which Regal is the best value on the used market?

The 2018 Regal 2300, trading near $48,000 in good condition. Twenty-three feet with an 8.5-foot beam, typically a Volvo Penta 5.7-liter sterndrive around 300 horsepower and an easy 45-mph top end. You get Regal upholstery, storage, and hull quality at a number that overlaps what mid-tier competitors charge for new boats — the strongest price-to-capability ratio in the lineup.

What is the most affordable Regal boat model?

Older 18-to-21-foot bowriders — the 2000-series and 1900 — trade in the low $20,000s to mid-$30,000s depending on condition and hours. The 2017 Regal 2100 sits near $32,000 used: 21 feet, 8.3-foot beam, single Volvo Penta 4.3-liter around 220 horsepower, 40-mph top end, single-axle trailerable. Budget separately for engine or upholstery refresh on older units.

Which Regal model is best for rough water?

The larger deep-V hulls handle chop best, and among day boats the LS4 with roughly 20-to-22-degree transom deadrise manages moderate conditions well. Deadrise determines whether a hull cuts chop or slaps it. That said, no Regal in this lineup is an open-ocean heavy-weather boat — the deep-V hulls handle chop, but they are not a substitute for a purpose-built offshore platform.

Are Regal boats good for overnight cruising?

Yes. The 35 Sport Coupe, 28 Express, and 26 Express all offer berths, heads, and galleys sized for coastal weekends. The 26 Express — 27 feet overall, 9-foot beam, around $75,000 used — is best for a couple and the honest entry point into overnighting. The 28 and 35 handle four comfortably, with the 35 adding twin IPS pods and joystick docking.

How does Regal compare to Sea Ray and Chaparral?

Build quality is broadly comparable. Regal is often ahead on interior layout innovation and slightly higher on price for equivalent length. Sea Ray typically leads on resale recognition; Chaparral tends to bundle more standard equipment for the money. Those are the two comparisons that actually come up on a dealer lot, and both are worth running before you sign anything.

Which Regal model is best for watersports?

The 2300 and 2500 bowriders, with large open cockpits and tow pylons. The 2016 Regal 2500 runs 25 feet, seats up to 12, and carries a Volvo Penta 6.2-liter around 350 horsepower for a 48-mph top end near $55,000 used. The LS4 works too, but its freeboard and hull depth make it less ideal than a purpose-built tow boat for serious wakeboarding.

What is the largest Regal in this ranking?

The 2019 Regal 35 Sport Coupe at 37 feet overall, with a beam near 11 feet, twin Volvo Penta IPS pod drives, joystick docking, a 28-to-32-mph cruise, and berths for four. It runs near $200,000 used. Before buying one, confirm a qualified IPS service network exists within reasonable range of your home water — pods are specialist-dependent when something goes wrong.

FAQ

How long do Regal boats typically last?

With proper maintenance, a Regal hull can last 20 to 30 years or more. Engines and outdrives usually want major service or replacement somewhere in the 1,000-to-2,000-hour window. Hand-laid fiberglass and quality gelcoat hold up well, but upholstery and electronics generally need refreshing at 10 to 15 years — that refresh is the cost buyers most consistently forget to budget.

Should I buy an outboard or a sterndrive Regal?

Outboards simplify service access, lift clear of the water at rest, and eliminate bellows and gimbal-bearing maintenance. Sterndrives free up transom space and often cost less on the used market. For the lowest-hassle ownership experience, choose an outboard — the LS2, an outboard-rigged LS4, or the 33 SAV. IPS pods add fuel efficiency and joystick docking but also systems complexity.

What does a marine survey cost and is it worth it?

Surveys are typically priced by boat length and represent a small fraction of purchase price. On any boat over 23 feet the survey is mandatory in practice — it catches transom saturation, stringer damage, and engine issues that routinely cost far more than the inspection. Survey findings are also negotiating leverage, not a formality: price the remediation and adjust your offer.

How much should I budget annually to own one?

The common planning rule across recreational boating is 10 percent of purchase price per year, covering dockage, insurance, fuel, winterization, and routine maintenance. On a $130,000 LS4 that is roughly $13,000 annually. Treat that as a planning floor in high-cost coastal markets rather than a ceiling. On a used boat, also reserve 10 to 15 percent for immediate post-survey work.

Are engine hours or age more important on a used Regal?

Both, and they interact. Recreational boats accumulate 30 to 75 hours a year in typical use. A 2018 model showing 90 hours has been under-run, which brings fuel-system varnish and dried-out seals; the same boat at 600 hours has been worked hard. Neither is disqualifying, but each changes what the survey should focus on. Service records outweigh either number alone.

Do Regal boats hold their value well?

Reasonably. Regal generally holds value better than volume-market brands thanks to build quality, but typically trails Sea Ray on resale because of brand recognition. Condition, documented service history, and engine type drive more of the resale outcome than the badge does. Regal-to-Regal trade-in offers are frequently better than walking a Regal into a competing showroom.

What is the biggest risk when buying a used Regal?

Water intrusion in older sterndrive boats. Transoms and stringers on pre-2015 hulls are the classic failure point. Tap-test the transom; soft or dull-sounding spots signal saturation, and the repair cost can approach the boat's value on a sub-$50,000 unit. This is the single most common reason a used 2100 or 2300 deal should die at inspection.

What price bands should I expect across the lineup?

Entry compact bowriders land in the low $20,000s to mid-$30,000s used. The 23-to-25-foot bracket runs roughly $48,000 to $55,000. Modern LS-series day boats span $70,000 used to $180,000 new. Express cruisers occupy $75,000 to $110,000 used. The luxury end runs $200,000 used to near $400,000 new. Condition, hours, and records move any band 15 to 25 percent.

When is the best time of year to buy?

September and October. Dealers carry a floorplan-interest cost on unsold inventory that they want off the books before winter, and that pressure peaks at end of season. A trade-in also carries different margin than a brokerage listing, so ask which you are dealing with. Shopping into that window is the closest thing to a free discount in this market.

Do I need a full sea trial, or is a dock test enough?

Insist on a full sea trial at cruise and wide-open throttle, in water with some chop if you can arrange it. A dead-calm sea trial tells you very little about the boat you are actually buying. A boat that will not reach its expected wide-open-throttle number is signaling something about propping, bottom growth, or engine health — investigate before closing.

Sources

• https://www.regalboats.com/
• https://www.boattrader.com/
• https://www.yachtworld.com/
• https://www.boats.com/
• https://www.discoverboating.com/
• https://www.boatus.com/
• https://www.boatingmag.com/
• https://www.nadaguides.com/Boats

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