regal 42 FXO

Boasting the sort of patrician good looks that live up to the Regal brand-name, this is a yacht fit for a king. Stately curving lines down to transom, hull windows that look like shards of crystal and a super-fine entry that cuts through waves are all crowned by a floating flybridge with extraordinary views. Also available as an inboard-powered model with next-generation Penta pod-drives, the 42 Fly, this yacht does not just look good but is an imperious performer, too.

Achieve an esteemed sense of nobility on the water thanks to a proprietary hull crafted from resin-infused fiberglass with an 18-degree deadrise, optimized for your choice of engine. The outboard version of this yacht is equipped with triple Yamaha V8 F425 engines that stand like monolithic stones in the water. Capable of reaching a startling 43 knots at top speeds, maintaining enviable poise at a cruising speed of 30 knots, these motors are a true innovation on a yacht of this class. The pod-drive edition of the 42 Fly is equally impressive, boasting a total horsepower of 870HP across twin Volvo D6 IPS600 diesel pod-drives with a top speed of 36 knots. The most efficient cruising speed on this yacht is just shy of 32 knots, a speed at which you will enjoy a range of 327 nautical miles.

You can command your vessel and master the seas at your choice of upper or main-deck helm station, where throne-like bench seating provides a comfortable and practical place to pull on the throttles. This yacht’s modern dashboards come with Garmin VHF radio, dual Garmin 8616 digital touchscreens with multifunctionality or next-generation Volvo Glass display monitors and power-assisted steering as standard. You can count on trim-tabs and bow thruster controls for that touch of extra control, while a Seakeeper 3 stabilizer switch is on hand to keep this vessel well-balanced at zero-speeds.

Catch a cooling breeze up on the debonair flybridge, an open-air space with commanding views out to sea. You will feel like royalty while lounging with the entire family across a rear L-shaped sofa in plush, hand-stitched upholstery, a forward Ultralounge sunpad and a twin seat facing the upper helm. The Ultralounge can be turned into more conventional seating thanks to an adjustable backrest, while there is room at the rear sofa for a pop-up, teak-lined table capable of hosting a round of drinks or lighter fare.

Enjoy soaking up the sun one level down, where a lavish foredeck is furnished with a modular sunpad where up to four guests can pop up those backrests and enjoy the views. There’s also bow storage units out here, along with integrated cup-holders, a Cabana sunshade and a handful of Fusion stereo speakers linked to a helm entertainment system with Apple Airplay 2 via Bluetooth. More active guests may head to stern, where, on the pod-drive edition at least, there is a huge, full-beam bathing platform with a swim step that lowers into the water. On the outboard version of this yacht, you will instead encounter a pair of platforms either side of the engines, with an in-built swim ladder to port for easy reboarding. You may lose a little space back here on the FXO, but this is more than made-up for by allowing pilots to steer their craft a mere 4 or 5 feet from the beach, opening up a whole new world of coastline for lucky guests to explore. Both versions of this yacht also boast a capacious transom locker and under-seat storage in the cockpit where you can keep scuba and watersports gear.

Aristocratic dimensions in the aft-cockpit, a shaded space where you will not be troubled by too much sun, allow room for a sprawling, L-shaped transom sofa and a full-size, timber-lined dining table, along with an outdoor grill to starboard that comes with a flip-down Corian cover. After you have finished grilling up freshly caught-mackerel, head inside via a set of sliding glass doors that completely open up to connect spaces across the deck. A dark Amtico sole hosts a huge U-shaped dining sofa with a table to port, where multiple generations can gather for three-course meals and enjoy the views out of the salon’s wrap-around glazing. To port you will find the yacht’s main galley, a true live-aboard amenity that is more than a mere refreshment center. Marble-effect countertops are joined by an industrial-sized fridge, a sink, a trash compactor and a below-counter combination microwave to keep you and your family well-fed across those ambitious long-haul voyages you’ve always wanted to take.

There comes a point, every day, where the sea begins to quieten. Sailing craft, dayboats and runabouts head back to the harbor, the wavelets turn wine-dark and the stars begin to shine in the deeply hued night sky. But you will still be there, out on the water, knowing you have a palatial lower-deck retreat waiting for you. Dynamic hull glazing, a toasted oak sole, driftwood surrounds, Snowcap upholstery and recessed lighting set the scene across this elegant level, while an atrium-style opening lets the light flood in. A popular two-stateroom, two-head layout down here provides secluded sleeping quarters for up to four, with a queen bed to the bow and to aft. Added extras like cedar-lined armoires, a side sofa and wall-mounted HDTVs pepper this level, while bathrooms come with mirrored cabinets, ceramic sinks and teak-lined shower cubicles for a rich and decadent feel. Should you wish, you can even exchange one of the lower heads for a second refreshment center down here, depending on whether you value extra overnight comfort or day-time convenience.