Regal Marine impresses at Florida launch

by Bob Wonders, Editor on 23 Nov 2007 A couple of weeks ago I became one of the ‘fortunate five hundred’ when I attended the 2007 Regal Marine International Dealer Conference in Florida.

In my near 30-years involvement with the marine industry I have probably been to more boat launches, product unveilings, dealer meetings, expositions, boat shows etc than many people have had hot dinners! I can only rate the Regal Marine Industries effort #1.

Location for the conference was outstanding, the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa just outside Fort Myers and alongside the causeway accessing the stunning Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Everything related to the conference was a credit to the company, the choice of venue, the cooperation of Regal staff, the array of ’08 boats presented, the provision of relevant material and the hospitality on offer.

The 500 or so in attendance partly comprised more than 100 international distributors representing 35 dealerships worldwide, 20 international media people, together with 15 representing US media, 225 North American dealers and 70-plus staff from Regal Marine Industries.

Brothers Duane and Tim Kuck, sons of US boating industry legend the late Paul Kuck, proved gracious hosts and were accessible to all throughout the conference.

Australia was well represented, with Mark Chapman (Chapman Marine Group), Tim and Fiona Catanese (Going Boating, Gold Coast), together with US-based business partner Ross Brown and Brett and Melanie Swan (Going Boating, Victoria).

I should point out that Going Boating, Gold Coast and Going Boating, Victoria, have no connection other than sharing the name.

Tim Catanese, son of Sam Catanese, of Stejcraft fame, and Brett Swan are life long mates and operate their respective businesses totally independent of each other.

Catanese is the Regal dealer for Queensland, Swan the Regal dealer for Victoria and Chapman, of course, the Regal dealer for New South Wales.

All were impressed with the conference and the astonishing number, 23 in all, of ’08 boats presented for evaluation on the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa’s marina.

A definite highlight of the conference from a Regal viewpoint was the launch of its imposing 5260 Commodore Express.

Chapman and Catanese, to name just two, were among those suitably impressed and have placed orders for the Volvo-Penta IPS-powered cruiser.

Amazingly, Regal has taken deposits on 52 examples of its latest creation, meaning in a sense that the next two-years of production is sold out!

Introducing the 5260 Commodore Express places Regal Marine on the same level as Sea Ray, the only two US manufacturers offering models from 19’ (5.79-metres) to 50’ (15.24-metres)-plus.

Qualified Regal captains (all holding 100-ton tickets) in attendance said the big Commodore Express 'handled beautifully' and were full of praise for the Volvo-Penta IPS (Inboard Propulsion System), at this stage the only power offered for the vessel.
Other ’08 models presented for evaluation attracted plenty of interest from the attending dealers.

The runabout range proved extremely popular all impressed with the standard of finish, power options and the all-new ’08 colours and hull graphics.

Latest versions of the stunning express cruisers, the 4060, 4080 and 4460, several examples of which have found Australian homes, were eagerly sought after by those of us fortunate enough to be in line for a turn at the wheel.

Everything related to this conference was handled superbly.

‘Master of Ceremonies’, marketing manager Bonnie Frenkel and her support staff, together with a strong management team, proved a delight throughout and nothing asked for proved a problem. The attention to detail could only be termed meticulous.

Mercury Marine, Kholer Gensets, Yanmar and Volvo-Penta were among those on hand to
Support the conference.

Australian dealers were obviously impressed with the ’08 Regal range, for orders were placed. 'This is a tremendous company to deal with,' Mark Chapman declared.
'The product is first class and I don’t think I have ever had a warranty problem.
'Regal boats boast a standard of finish that cannot be bettered; open drawers and cupboards and you won’t even find any fibreglass dust left behind, absolutely immaculate.'

Catanese supported Chapman’s comment to the hilt. 'Having Regal on board has been excellent for us and I’m already as keen as all get out to seeing a Regal 5260 Commodore Express on the Gold Coast waterways,' he said.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, this was a conference to remember.

The organisation and conduct were so outstanding that I would have no hesitation in recommending other companies intending to stage such a conference take a leaf from the Regal book.

Following the conference (all were disappointed to depart the fabulous Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa); we motored north to Orlando for a full scale tour of the Regal headquarters.

In coming issues I’ll take you for a walk through one of the cleanest and most efficient boat building plants I’ve visited.