regal 26 Express

Small enough to be trailered overland, and big enough to host four overnight guests, this sleek and ergonomic pocket cruiser might just be the most stylish vessel in its class. A bold, swooping line to stern; an abrupt, steep transom; a refined livery in your choice of striking hull paint; and a dashing bootstripe in tones like Newport Blue or Tahiti Beach White will make this yacht stand out for miles around. Guests fortunate enough to embark on the 26 Express will appreciate the fantastic sense of mise-en-scene across the deck space, where sociable seating is laid-out to not only enhance conviviality but give everyone room to breathe and stretch out their legs. Cupholders are always within arm’s reach, back-rests and folding armrests always in exactly the right position, and stereo speakers hidden away to provide a movie-style soundtrack to your travels.

The main-deck has been designed as a fully open-air, al fresco retreat ideal for soaking up the rays, though a sun-shade, a Bimini roof or an optional hard-top can be attached to the power-tower for shaded relaxation. In the aft-cockpit there is an Ultra-lounge that can be transformed into four different seating options, including a stern-facing day-bed, a transom sofa with a backrest or even a sprawling, casbah-style sunpad with unimpeded views out to the horizon. Alongside this is a single-seat facing aft and a portside chaise-longue, while a pair of adjustable seats, including a helm chair, face forward. Seating comes with plush Diamond-stitched upholstery in Hitch, River Rock or Titanium, soft cushioning and padded coamings for a rich and indulgent feel.

The seats also hide a few surprises underneath, including ample storage for watersports gear, and a hidden ice-box where beers and refreshments will be kept chilled and crisp to perfectly quench your thirst. An optional teak-topped table can be fitted into the cockpit for meals, while to stern there is even a gas-powered grill for waterside burgers and grilled lobsters. Also to be found to stern is a full-beam bathing platform lined in non-slip SeaDek with a shower where the kids can leap into the water and perform laps around your vessel. Alternatively, head out to the lengthy foredeck and launch yourself into the crystal-clear water from the steel guardrails.

A spacious lower deck with hull-side glazing, a skylight, coastal timber surrounds, handcrafted cabinetry, Snowcap-lined furnishings and plush carpeting is the stuff that dreams are made of. To the bow there is a V-shaped sofa that wraps around a dining table that will host memorable meals for the whole family. The table can be lowered into place and covered with a cushion to turn this seating into a double overnight bed that is joined by a midships double bed neatly located aft of the steps back to up deck. An open galley down here will bring out your inner-chef, and features an electric single-zone Kenyon cooktop, a Muave microwave oven, an Isotherm fridge-freezer unit, marble-effect Mosaic or Strato Wind countertops and a stainless steel sink with a mixer-tap. Located directly across from the galley is a spacious head with an electric, pump-out toilet, a molded sink, a self-draining sole and an open shower fixture ideal for freshening up. Air-conditioning throughout keeps this space feeling breezy and climate-controlled, while mood lighting is on hand to complete the vibe.

Pursue your destiny or change your fate at a swish helm station with a deluxe hand-wrapped steering wheel, dual 9-inch Volvo Glass Cockpit or Garmin touch-screen monitors, next-generation Garmin VHF that fits snug in the hand, a mounted high-speed Ritchie compass, fog-resistant Faria gauges and Lewmar bow thruster controls for inch-perfect maneuverability as you head back to dock. The starboard helm also features Lenco trim-tab controls, an adjacent stainless steel binnacle control as well as an adjustable seat with a flip-down back-rest. The entire helm area sits behind an elegant windshield that has been tinted, tempered and curved as if a work of art in itself.

Pick between a slew of engine options to power your Regal 26 Express, with standard power coming in the form of a 280-horsepower Volvo V6 G5 stern-drive with top speeds expected to hit a hearty 35 knots. If you require an extra burst of energy then you can upgrade to either a 300-horsepower Volvo V8 motor or a Mercruiser 6.3 with Bravo 3 drives for full-throttle speeds approaching the 38-knot mark. Thanks to a 73-gallon fuel tank you should be able to stay out on the water all weekend before requiring a refuel, and at cruising speeds of around 26 knots you will enjoy a lengthy cruising range of 165 nautical miles that is perfect for the hero’s journey. And there’s no twist in the tale here, only guaranteed happy endings ensured thanks to the reliable, rugged and durable FasTrac hull for which Regal are rightfully famed. Lightweight yet sturdy, the hull features a solid, deep-V bottom that enhances not only speed and efficiency but agility, too. With the possibility to park this yacht close to your favorite beach, explore inland waterways or sample saltwater coastlines, your choice of destination will be limited, much like the great writers of old, only by your imagination.