Imagine tall windows surrounding a penthouse loft. Now put that loft into a 42-foot hull, and you have the Regal 42 Grande Coupe.
The salon’s oversize windows allow panoramic views and natural light. The windshield, a single pane more than 8 feet wide, provides an unfettered view forward for the skipper and guests.
Adding to this openness are the four sliding salon doors that retract to create a one-level living space from the transom seats to that forward windshield. The builder eliminated the need for a step up by putting a stylish, stainless-steel plate over a deep drain that meets regulations for keeping any cockpit water out of the cabin.
For dining, an L-shaped settee is tucked into one corner of the cockpit, while a smokeless grill, with a fridge underneath, is hidden to starboard. Another settee with table is in the salon, out of the elements.
Lounging Around
The galley, to starboard abaft the helm seat, has a sink, two-burner cooktop, convection/microwave and double-door fridge. In a nice touch, the sink and cooktop have covers, with dedicated stowage abaft the helm seat.
The 42 Grande Coupe’s staterooms include a master forward with an island-queen berth with walk-around space and roller drawers underneath. The en suite head has a separate shower with teak seat.
Just aft is an atrium with the stairs from the salon. This space can be configured with a mini kitchenette (a sink and fridge) for late-night snacks, or with a second head for the aft stateroom. Not being a snacker, I’d vote for the second head, especially since I’d be tempted to use the aft stateroom as the master.
Steady as You Go
Unlike so many aft staterooms that are mere cubbyholes, the 42’s has space for a king-size berth that can split into twins; stowage for a weeklong cruise; and a couch for reading or just for getting away from it all. It would be a tough coin toss as to who gets which stateroom, but either way, guests are not going to be disappointed.
Power is a pair of 370 hp Volvo Penta IPS500 engines, which means joystick maneuvering and a 30.5-knot top-end at a fuel-sipping 39 gph. Even flat out on a lumpy Gulf Stream, the 42’s fine entry and 19-degree deadrise sliced smoothly through the waves.
Standard features at the $750,090 base price include three-way seating at the bow, twin anchor lockers with a hidden Lewmar windlass and washdown hose, and double-thick foam under the upholstery.
Solidly built (with a resin-infused fiberglass hull and foam stringers) and thoughtfully designed for the way many yachtsmen use their boats in this size range, the Regal 42 Grande Coupe fulfills its lofty vision.
