SEE THE
VIDEO
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 3.56 4.10 0.70 5.09 5.86 183 211 0 55
1500 5.21 6.00 1.20 4.34 5.00 156 180 0 61
2000 6.43 7.40 1.90 3.38 3.89 122 140 2 66
2500 7.04 8.10 3.00 2.35 2.70 84 97 4 69
3000 9.38 10.80 4.10 2.29 2.63 82 95 7 74
3500 17.38 20.00 4.90 3.55 4.08 128 147 4 79
4000 22.07 25.40 6.30 3.50 4.03 126 145 2 78
4500 25.20 29.00 7.90 3.19 3.67 115 132 2 80
5000 29.37 33.80 10.20 2.88 3.31 104 119 2 84
5500 31.98 36.80 12.50 2.56 2.94 92 106 2 87
6000 37.28 42.90 16.40 2.27 2.62 82 94 2 88
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDHigh Points
XStandard Garmin GPSMap 742xs
touchscreen replaces nearly all
gauges; includes chart plotting.
XFusion audio system includes six
cockpit speakers, Bluetooth, and
the enclosed, water-resistant
Uni-Dock to accommodate smart-
phones and media players.
XStoreMore bow lockers feature
hinged seat backs in the bow,
opening to reveal large storage
lockers within both the port and
starboard consoles.
XGiant-size stowage where the
sterndrive engine isn’t.Specs
· LOA: 21'1" · BEAM: 8'6"
· DRY WEIGHT: 3,400 lb. · SEATING/
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 10/1,170 lb.
· FUEL CAPACITY: 40 gal.How We Tested
ENGINE: Yamaha F150
PROP: Reliance 14^1 / 2 " x 15" 3-blade
stainless steel
GEAR RATIO: 2.00:1
FUEL LOAD: 40 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 355 lb.
Price
$39,070 (with test power)REGAL
21 OBX
crew members’ legs. A full-width sun pad
invites those who want to soak up some sun.
When boarding, the starboard third pivots
upward to reveal a transom walk-through.
Regal has long featured the patented
FasTrac hull, a design pairing a chop-busting
deep-V forward with a full-beam step, re-
verse chines and large lifting strakes. The
step promises better speed and fuel econo-
my by introducing air bubbles beneath the
latter half of the hull to reduce drag and
friction; reverse chines and large lifting
strakes aim to enhance stability and cor-
nering. With a Yamaha F150, the smallest
off ering available, we achieved a 42.9 mph
top speed. Time to plane was a brief
3.5 seconds. Cornering was aggressive yet
predictable in all conditions.Regal increasingly tosses around the term
“power of choice,” a reference to the fact
that numerous models, including the new
21 OBX that is the subject of this boat test,
come in both sterndrive and outboard ver-
sions. Aside from the obvious diff erence
in engine type, the outboard
version also off ers substan-
tially more stowage. With
the engine hanging off the
transom, much of the space
reserved for that sterndrive
engine becomes a lazarette.
The space formerly occupied
by a V-8 now lies vacant and
waiting for tow tubes, infl at-
able stand-up paddleboards,
beach chairs, and all man-
ner of maritime miscellany.
The swim platform does get
bisected by that outboard,
much to the chagrin of many a
sterndrive enthusiast. But it’salso substantially larger to port and star-
board, wrapping around the engine while
including a covered boarding ladder on the
starboard-side.
Within, the cockpits of both the
outboard and sterndrive models are iden-
tical. Behind the windshield, a U-shaped
bench wraps invitingly around most of the
perimeter, starting behind the helm seat
and culminating in Regal’s “social seat,” an
extra-wide passenger perch with fl ip-over
backrest for facing aft. Bench corners boast
another special term, the “comfort curve.”
Rather than abrupt angles, the port and
starboard corners curve at a 45-degree an-
gle and feature notches in the base cushions
to more comfortably accommodate seatedPHOTOS: BILL DOSTERREGAL MARINE
Orlando, Florida; 407-851-4360; regalboats.comTo watch our
video review
of the 21 OBX,
scan this tag
or visit boating
mag.com/
bbg18/
regal21obx.
C
RUNABOUT
CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTSBOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 38 | BOATINGMAG.COMBOAT BUYERS GUIDE