Regulator 24 vs Contender 23T

[wbfish]

J. D. Power Winners Announced at Miami Show
Coastal Fishing (17'-28')

Grady-White ranked #1 of 16 brands in this category for its sixth consecutive sweep of the saltwater boats with a score of 896. Grady-White owners also reported the fewest problems per 100 boats, with 154 problems, compared to an average number of 298 problems per 100 boats in the category. Click here for a complete list with pictures and specs of Grady-White boats.

[TriAngler]

Both great boats - no doubt. In addition to the short cockpit on the 24Reg - two other observations - critical in my decision not to buy any Regulator during my extensive year plus comparison shopping before I bought new traded out of my 31 Fountain last year. When I started my search my intention was to buy a 26 Regulator unless proven otherwise. These two steered me away:

1st - if the boat you're considering has the forward seating option, for some reason Regulator blocks your access to the bow and anchor locker. Forget fighting a fish from the bow in this boat.

2nd - while I think Regulator has done engine brackets as well if not better than anyone (Bluewater the other) - all Regs run bow high - and this trait is made worse when trying to manage the weight of 4-strokes on the bracket. Regulator tried to compensate in 2004+ models by reworking the bracket with Armstrong to add floatation - but this is still a retrofit - not an engineering solution. So many Reg owners fill forward storage with water, ice, or on the 26 auxillary fuel - to help reduce bow rise and overcome the bow high ride.

A 24 Reg with a single 250 Yammy will start north of $85k. For that kind of money - the boat should ride level.

Good luck - and take the time to Sea Test. No boat is right for everyone - but if you concentrate on what you will do with your boat 75% of the time, then shop/sea trial with that purpose in mind - you will find what works for you.

[wbfish]

Yeah, we were on a 26 reg with 225 4 strokes a month or so and in 2-3 foot seas we couldn't run 30 without occasionally coming out of the water. It sucked so much that instead of running the ocean up to Southport we went in Shallote inlet. Sorry for all you reg fans out there but the boat we were on was built for flat and glassy intracoastal riding, not offshore. Its either a 2004 or 2005 boat. Me and my buddy were wishing we were on his Grady. Now I have been on a 2006 24fs reg with twin 150 4-strokes and on a pretty good chopped up sea it had a much better ride than that damn 26.

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

REGULATORS LIKE TO BE RUN THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO LOWER SPEEDS IN A SEA LIKE THE SOUTHPORT BOATS DO. ALL THE 26'S I'VE FISHED NEEDED TO BE TRIMMED RIGHT AND RUN 30 KTS OR BETTER THEY DO NOT LIKE TO RUN SLOWER THAN THAT IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP THE BOW DOWN AT SLOWER SPEEDS BUT ON THE OTHER HAND I'VE HAD ALOT OF 27 AND 31 CONTENDERS TUCKED IN MY WAKE AT 20 KTS WHEN WE WENT BY THEM CAUSE THEY COULDN'T RUN EITHER TEST RIDE SEVERAL BOATS TILL YOU FIND ONE YOU REALLY LIKE THERE ARE ALOT OF MAKES OUT THERE DON'T BE SCARED TO BROADEN YOUR SEARCH.

[JUST RELEASED 34]

the 26 REGULATOR is by far the best boat in its class.....many of you guys dont fish as much as say ME who owns a 26.....REGULATOR has been building them for a long time and they sell a bunch every year.....RIDE is EVERYTHING.......so ride all on the snotty days and chances are you will be in a regulator....

I just wish the 32 didnt have a euro transom......

[mrfishy]

Yeah, we were on a 26 reg with 225 4 strokes a month or so and in 2-3 foot seas we couldn't run 30 without occasionally coming out of the water. It sucked so much that instead of running the ocean up to Southport we went in Shallote inlet. Sorry for all you reg fans out there but the boat we were on was built for flat and glassy intracoastal riding, not offshore. Its either a 2004 or 2005 boat. Me and my buddy were wishing we were on his Grady. Now I have been on a 2006 24fs reg with twin 150 4-strokes and on a pretty good chopped up sea it had a much better ride than that damn 26.

I WILL NEVER STEP ANOTHER FOOT ON A 26 REGULATOR EVER AGIAN THAT BOAT HAS THE SHI&&IEST RIDE EVER

On a lighter note the 24 has a better ride and in my opinion the 23 reg rides even better than the 24

[SeaBiscuit]

Fellas,
no need for polarized positions. The boat you don't like may be another's dream come true. Please try to be constructive in offering your opinion.
Thanks,
Biscuit

[captcl]

Why just those two rigs? Because everyone else is runnig them? Whaler,Jones Bros., judge, north coast, parker,mako etc., all make boats that catch just as many fish! Buy the best you THATS RIGHT YOU can afford and you will have the right boat! Leave the ego at the dock and sea trial the heck out of them! satisfy you, not everyone else! Good luck!

[JUST RELEASED 34]

I WILL NEVER STEP ANOTHER FOOT ON A 26 REGULATOR EVER AGIAN THAT BOAT HAS THE SHI&&IEST RIDE EVER

On a lighter note the 24 has a better ride and in my opinion the 23 reg rides even better than the 24

Funny ....coming from a guy who owns a Grady...