Regulator 26 ride ?s

[sportsman250]

I looking at a Regulator 26 Express, I'm looking for some input before I go see it /sea trial it. How will this boat do in the typical afternoon chop, the mixed up '2 -'4s, will it pound? what will it be able to cruise at in these conditions?

Anyone who has some time on these hulls please chime in, Express' and CCs

Thanks Chris

[backman]

I have perhaps 100 trips offshore/nearshore in a friends 26' express over a 6 or 7 year period.

Its a heavy 26 with a deep V hull and huge bow flare and will as do as any in that afternoon SW chop. If it can get up and run at 25 knots it will skip over 80% of them, land soft on *most* most of the others and bang hard once in a while. It is not as good at 18-20 knots/minimum planing speed and makes for an unpleasant ride.

The deep V makes it fine in a head sea and the tabs/outdrive combination allows for excellent bow control.

I think its a great and economical nearshore boat.

[sportsman250]

backman- how far did you venture off in the regulator? And what does your friends have for power? I'm not going more then 40 miles off, longer trips along the coast. I'd like to do a canyon trip but I'm not sure if its enough boat to do it safely, maybe a day trip leaving from Nantucket...

[offshoreangler]

I've been running mine for 4 years now and its a an awesome hull! It will take a while for you to learn to trim it properly but once you dial it in....perfection! I never knew what a wet boat was until I owned a dry one. There simply isn't a dryer hull under 30ft in my opinion....

[tuna-or-later]

There is a reason that the Regulator 26 hull has not changed in years. It is a tried and proven solid offshore hull. I personally would take a 26 reg over many boats 5-8 feet bigger. They are a beast, not the driest in the world on a strong beam sea, but they will get you where you are going and back safely.

[litchy21]

The 26 Regulator CC is hands down one of the best center consoles in its class. I fish out of a 26 cc inboard and it handles sloppy seas very well. Very impressive boat! Any one in the marine industry will tell you the same.

[DKIYDG]

I have 1300 hours on mine(2003 hull) and could not be happier. 3 guys and 250lb fish on one side without a problem. 2002-2005 probably have f225 yamaha so discount it 4k per engine if the corrosion fix has not been done. Hull is tops. Canyons when wx permits and everything else all day.

[DKIYDG]

Forgot to mention mine is 26fs. If I were considering express I would also look at 26 blackwatch with newer power for more Beem/cockpit than reg express. I think they got the cc right on but 26 reg express a bit skinny in my opinion. 23 Grady express with twin hpdi 200s or f150s a better express i think.

[backman]

My friends had the Volvo 8.1. It was slower than a dual outboard model but still could happil cruise at 30+ knots when the seas let you.

I was on it below the Lanes many times which eventually got intimidating in a single gas engine. My concern/comment on that was that the engine was really shoe horned into the engine box and preventative maintenance and inspection was dfficult as a result.

[Goodnyou]

I bought a 93 express about 6 yrs ago. I still have it.Love it. Repowered right away with 200 hpdis because I had one already that was 2 yrs old. It really is a different boat than the open. There is so much more weight that the hull digs in more than the open. It may not run as fast as some others but when it kicks up (as it does alot) the boat shines. Bury the tabs and it cuts in. I find it a great boat for ny needs. . I fish it east of Chatham whare it is cold and wet. I almost never need the rain gear as you are further up in the hull than in the open. Leaving at 3 30 am in the fog everyone stays dry. 200hpdis are great for the open but I wish I had 250s.It runs almost 40 kts fully loaded for tuna . I make regular runs to the sword bb 40 miles no problem. If I run out25 miles, troll 7 hrs and run back I burn 75 gals. It is a heavy boat. With a 225 gallon tank it has some range. Im not sure why but Ive never ran it south. I still take it to the beach for the day and pull the kids on the tube. What power is the one you are looking at?