Regal Marine on an ‘archway' to success?

by Bob Wonders on 7 Oct 2010 Orlando, Florida-based boat manufacturer, Regal Marine Industries, was, like the majority of US boat manufacturers, hit hard by the global financial downturn.

The boat manufacturing sector was probably the hardest hit segment of the boating industry, a boating industry that by all accounts suffered more pain and falling sales in the United States than anywhere else.

No doubt exports helped Regal to maintain some sense of balance and the company's international sales manager, Bonnie Frenkel, told me last May that many of her dealerships were performing 'quite well' despite the current situation.

Bonnie was in Australia to liaise with Regal's highly efficient Australian dealer, Premier Marine, and to check out the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, where the dealership displayed four models.'

No surprise that Bonnie was, as always, impressed with Premier Marine and its dealer principal Steve Hannes, for all four boats displayed were sold.

The Regal marque has certainly won its share of admirers in Australia, and that would be largely due to the efforts of Stave Hannes and his Premier Marine team.

Premier Marine is headquartered on the marina at Rose Bay, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, and as Steve has previously pointed out being on the ‘doorstep' of Sydney Harbour gives the dealership a hard-to-beat advantage.

Latest news from the manufacturer comes in the shape of a new model release and the addition of stylish arches to two of its popular boats.

The new release is another sports coupe', a genre' that Regal has enjoyed considerable success with.

It is the Regal 42 Sport Coupe', a sleek 42' (12.9-metre) craft with the now proven (and popular) Volvo Penta IPS (Inboard Propulsion System), with engines rated from 600hp to 800hp offered.

The 42' actually becomes the third Sport Coupe' boat released by Regal, following on from earlier launches of the Regal 52 and 46 SC models.

Like its predecessors, the all-new 42' is a good-looking craft in anyone's language, modern, well proportioned and definitely a blue water performer.

Regal President, Duane Kuck, said that in developing the new boat, Regal designers and engineers took into account everything they had learned when conceiving the larger 52' and 46' models.

'We did everything possible to pack a wide range of features into a more compact package and still deliver strong performance,' he explained.

Equally adept at entertaining and offering a place to enjoy the great outdoors, the well-planned cockpit area of the 42' can be completely opened up thanks to the full-width sunroof and centre opening windshield.

In turn, the single level cockpit area can be fully-enclosed via either a canvas aft curtain or the optional slide-away bulkhead.

Add a 24,000 BTU air conditioner with reverse cycle capability and whether it's the cold northern climes or the warmer south, helm and cockpit stay comfortable and extend the boating season.

Not only that, but throw is a dash-mounted Fusio stereo system, complete with an iPod dock and you'll quickly realise that this is a very classy rig indeed.

A centreline sliding door provides access to the interior with a port side galley complete with stove, microwave and convection oven, refrigerator/freezer and sink, all surrounded by handcrafted cabinetry and a variety of counter top colours in either Corian or marble.

On the starboard side, the main saloon area offers comfort plus with a wrap-around sofa and wall-mounted television.

The well-appointed master stateroom has a queen-sized berth with an en-suite adjacent to a stand up dressing area.

A mid ships cabin can be specified with either twin berths or a single queen.

The hull and the Volvo Penta IPS drive, with Joystick control, match up perfectly, according to Regal and deliver both high performance and fuel efficiencies.

Designated ‘OceanTrac', the hull design has an 18 degree deadrise and s sharp entry at the bow, assisting not only the vessel's performance characteristics, but also helping deliver a smooth, comfortable ride.

Pat Wiesner, Regal's vice president of engineering, summed it up; 'Couple that with the remarkable turning power of the IPS and the Regal 42 Sport Coupe will run circles around a traditional sport yacht,' he declared.

Other news from Regal Marine as it ‘fine tuned' it range concerned the Regal 2565 sport boat and the very sleek Regal 2100 RX, a very swift ski boat that wins hearts and minds where ever it goes.

Both models have had stylish arches installed and although it's basically a matter of opinion I for one think their appearance has benefited.

Check out the Regal range with Premier Marine, Rose Bay, Sydney, telephone (02)9328-0999 or visit the website, www.premiermarine.com.au