Yes, the center console is the offshore sportfishing platform – and Regulator is the rugged, reliable, hardcore epitome of the class.
Regulator’s solid, heavy hull slices through offshore chop and tames high seas, producing its “Legendary Ride” out to where the fishing’s best. Regulator Director of Engineering (and lifelong boater) David Clubbs proudly calls it “a great riding boat when things get sporty offshore.”
“We expect our boats to be used hard in the most demanding offshore environments,” says Clubbs.
That’s the way they’ve been built for three decades.
Owen and Joan Maxwell wanted to build a new kind of deep-vee center console – the best-riding, safest and best-built — when, in 1988, they enlisted Naval Architect Lou Codega to help them create it.
Two years later they launched the first Regulator 26 (Codega says hull one is still reportedly fishing in the Bahamas.)
The newcomer became a classic and, with siblings larger and smaller, still reflects the original theme, “Designed to Ride.” One might call that the brand’s secret, but a quick survey at any port or tournament makes clear it’s no secret to seasoned anglers and boaters.
The Design
Famed naval architect Lou Codega created the design standards to which Regulator builds each boat, and still draws every new model. He says:
- Predictability, what Codega and others call “seakeeping,” is paramount — the boat’s ability to provide a smooth, dry, comfortable no-slam ride that’s stable and straight-tracking.
- That good, predictable seakeeping comes through details: the size and angle of the chines, the bow entry to deadrise transition geometry, the shape and length of strakes, beam-to-length ratio, as well as weight distribution and balance. Continuing refinements in those details have improved Regulator boats across the years, Codega says.
- Regulator boats are built heavy, with low centers of gravity with the goal of a predictable ride that gets you offshore and on the fish in a variety of conditions. Not that speed doesn’t come into the equation. In fact, the builder just announced that the new 31 with twin 425s tested at a top speed of 64 MPH, making it the fastest Regulator ever.
- A low-riding, trim-responsive deep-vee hull (Regulator’s is considered a variable-deadrise prismatic hull form) excels in rough conditions. Codega calls it part of “our core DNA.”
Engineering & Production
Regulator co-founder Owen Maxwell says the magic of the Regulator hull comes from a combination of weight distribution, bottom shape, design, and build.
- “Everything is about the stringer,” says Maxwell of the one-piece fiberglass core structure. Heavy, it helps the boat lie deep and low in the water, and helps eliminate much of the stress otherwise created at deck, liner and hull joints.
- Regulator’s hand-laminated, solid glass hull bottom is heavier than a cored bottom, says Clubbs, and not as prone to delaminating. It resists puncturing better, with no voids to trap water.
- Stringer, hull, liner and deck cap, each a solid piece on Regulator’s offshore models, go through several processes of foam-fill, polybond and fiberglassing for additional strength. Taken together, this creates a single hull unit that promises no-creaks as well as leak- and crack-free service. No wood in the hull. Anywhere. Reinforced rub rail, center console and T-top are bolted and bonded in place.
- Regulator prizes specialties and specialists. Molds are carefully maintained, and molding processes match each part’s purpose. Yamaha- and Garmin- certified technicians install those outboard engines and electronics, respectively.
- Inspectors examine the boat as if buying it themselves. That pays off: Regulator is a consistent winner of National Marine Manufacturers Association CSI (Customer Service Index) Awards for customer satisfaction.
Above-deck, Regulator matches appointments, features and options to the needs and desires of its owners:
- Extra-tall and padded gunwales ensure fishability, comfort and safety.
- In twos, threes and fours, Yamaha engines are bracket-mounted to reduce resistance and effectively stretch the boat’s length;
- Comfort and fishing features include Seakeeper®, SureShade® sunshades; wraparound windshields; soft and supple eco-friendly upholstery; sumptuous galleys and heads, tuna doors; massive livewells; outriggers and more.
All told, while you’re enjoying the Legendary Ride, you’ll be fully savoring the Offshore Life — in a Regulator! Find out what’s new for 2021!
