REGAL boats. Any good???

[J DAWG]

Looking for my 1st boat and just want a small ski boat to start off with. There's a dealer on the coast that has a new 2004 Regal 1800 with the 3.0 liter and an aluminum single axle trailer for $15K.
Is Regal a good boat?
Is this a resonable price?

[bordsmnj]

some of those family bowrider type boats are so so with a 4.3 liter but 18' with a 3.0 is grossly under powerd. with 4 peeps i but you'd have a hard timne getting on plain never mind pulling a skier. i'd hafta pass on that one. just my humble opinion but in 5-6 years that boat will be worth almost nada.regal so far as i know isn't a bad name mind you, you just gotta watch under powering. now i got some lurking to do.:D

[Mandelon]

That's a pretty puny motor. Can you get the 4.3 instead?
(Just play along. They like that);)

[bordsmnj]

can you whipple or add nitros to one of those 4.3's?

[J DAWG]

Originally posted by bordsmnj
can you whipple or add nitros to one of those 4.3's?
Forced induction is a good thing. The 4.3 is available and I think there is only a $2500 difference.. HP mods for any motor would be a plus.

[framer1]

I think I would look around for a used Lavey, Cole, Carrera etc. about 20 feet with a 350 in it. A bravo 1 also. Probably get one for five to seven more thousand more than the Regal. It will definatly hold it's value better. IMHO

[HOSS]

I really like the innovations Regal has done with their hull designs. But they are now about 6-7 years running without changes. Way overpriced. Buy a used one that you won`t mind experimenting with. PM me if you need more info on dealers.

[Tom Brown]

I couldn't agree more with these guys with regards to the 3.0l being too small. This is particularly true given the Viper and Hemi Ram in your sig.

[J DAWG]

Originally posted by Tom Brown
I couldn't agree more with these guys with regards to the 3.0l being too small. This is particularly true given the Viper and Hemi Ram in your sig.
you busted me. I thought I would get a nice little starter boat before I jumped into a big blown vessel. Just looking to get a little experience behind the wheel. Kinda like when I purchased a corvette before hoping into the Viper.
As most have said, it appears the 4.3 would be a better choice in this particular boat, if I choose this one.

[J DAWG]

Originally posted by HOSS
I really like the innovations Regal has done with their hull designs. But they are now about 6-7 years running without changes. Way overpriced. Buy a used one that you won`t mind experimenting with. PM me if you need more info on dealers.
I visited Ocean Marine group in Ocean Springs and the guys took alot of time going over everything with me.
So is $15K to much or $17.5K for the 4.3? I would like to buy new.

[HOSS]

If you gotta buy new I guess not. But I would try Travis Marine also. They just about 2 months ago file for bankruptcy. Reorganization. You could prob swing a deal.

[LASERRAY]

If You Havent Looked At Bayliner Lately, Look Again! :D

[HOSS]

Don`t do that. For a 26 cabin boat they wanted 69K at the New Orleans boat show. The toilet worked. At least the lid.

[J DAWG]

HOSS, have all the boat shows come and gone in the South?
I will be in the Houston area and down to Corpus Christi soon. Is there a site that lists national shows or do you know of any?

[HOSS]

Call Arthur Hosli in Slidell he may have a boat you like. If not he can get one for you or put you in touch with someone. PM`d you.

[LASERRAY]

Originally posted by HOSS
Don`t do that. For a 26 cabin boat they wanted 69K at the New Orleans boat show. The toilet worked. At least the lid. $ 69,000? Must have been the super sweet gelcoat job. I didn't know that plastic was THAT expensive!:D

[dicudmore]

Originally posted by J DAWG
Looking for my 1st boat and just want a small ski boat to start off with. There's a dealer on the coast that has a new 2004 Regal 1800 with the 3.0 liter and an aluminum single axle trailer for $15K.
Is Regal a good boat?
Is this a resonable price?
You can buy other boats w/3.0 considerably less than that.
I think the 18-foot Stingray is about 10k plus tax etc and for a family bowrider is a NICE boat. The only thing about those type boats is they generally won't run much over 50 and at 18 feet aren't the smoothest riding boats on the water.

[Kilrtoy]

I was just about to say STINGRAY,
That was my first boat and it was great for a learning exper.
It will run around 43MPH with that motor. Believe me you dont want to go any faster than that in that boat.
GREAT LEARNING BOAT and is very cheap to get in to.....

[dicudmore]

43 full of people and pulling a tube....
50 trimmed, light on gas and people. stainless prop, etc.
Remember when boats were cheap to run???

[J DAWG]

The saleman took us out in it and it went around 44-45 with 4 people in it with the 3.0. He said the 4.3 would be good for around 53-54 stock.
Nice boat and the majority of time we will just be tubing and docking. Not gonna be to much skiing going on. That's to much work:D
I am going do some calling around and check on the other brands mentioned. MS is not the mecca of boat dealers, so it is hard to see many different boats in person.....well other than bayliner.:eek:

[HOSS]

There was a yellow Baja at the boat show I was impressed with.

[dicudmore]

Originally posted by J DAWG
The saleman took us out in it and it went around 44-45 with 4 people in it with the 3.0. He said the 4.3 would be good for around 53-54 stock.
Nice boat and the majority of time we will just be tubing and docking. Not gonna be to much skiing going on. That's to much work:D
I am going do some calling around and check on the other brands mentioned. MS is not the mecca of boat dealers, so it is hard to see many different boats in person.....well other than bayliner.:eek:
Ok I'm no Bayliner fan either. You're right MS is no boat capitol by any means. My aunt and uncle live on Moon Lake kinda between Helena Ark and Clarksdale MS and the week I was with them last I OWNED that lake with their Bayliner. Too bad its such a long tow from so cal....