There are two key trends among today’s boaters. First, more families are embracing a multigenerational boating lifestyle, and second, versatility is in high demand. Even the most hardcore anglers now want some form of cruising comfort, while cruisers want to be able to hang with friends at the local sandbar or head out for dinner on the water after a day of island hopping. They might also enjoy snorkeling or diving, or grilling at sunset with cocktails, with several generations of family and friends along for the ride.
With all of that in mind, Regal introduced its SAV line of Sports Activity Vessels. When the 38 SAV became the bestselling boat in the company’s 55-year history, the team knew they were onto something. Regal’s latest model is the 50 SAV, which was introduced at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show. This boat packs a ton of fun features into a package that feels larger than its 50 feet.
Stepping aboard Hull No. 4, my first impression was openness. With the fold-down terrace door extended on one side away from the dock, and with easy boarding via dive doors in both gunwales, the beach-club vibe was in full effect. The fisherman in me admired the pressurized livewells in the transom, a nice touch to keep baits from sloshing in rough seas. I also liked the easy-to-clean synthetic teak decking underfoot. Options including a teak rocket launcher and 18-foot Gemlux outriggers rounded out the fishing side, with 55-inch in-deck macerated fish boxes for the catch of the day or miscellaneous items like fenders and dock lines. With the terrace doors closed, the cockpit measured a touch over 62 square feet and seemed even larger.
Moving forward, the two rows of four adjustable custom seats beneath a carbon-fiber hardtop provide comfy, shaded seating for a crowd. The entertainment island in the after section of the mezzanine is the heart of the action, just as everyone gathers around a backyard grill at home. Beneath hidden covers are a pair of 48-volt smokeless grills and a sink with a faucet and cutting board. Below is a pair of drawer refrigerators (or one fridge and one freezer, owner’s choice) with utensil stowage in between. On each end of the island are tip-out trash containers, a handy touch for any kind of onboard entertaining. Above the island is a 16-inch Garmin multifunction display to keep everyone informed and in the action.
The forward two seats have 9-inch Garmin displays integrated into flip-up pods in the armrests, which Regal calls “Garmrests.” These devices mean there is no need to reach forward to use any of the three 22-inch multifunction displays if you want to change course on the autopilot, plot a new waypoint, check the radar or change the volume on the music. Everything is literally at your fingertips.
Heading belowdecks via teak floating steps to the salon, I found a V-berth forward and a king berth aft, tucked beneath the helm deck. With 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom and 6-foot hullside windows, the salon feels like a much larger space.
There’s also some interesting tech at work. Regal’s LivePower system integrates a 48-volt lithium-ion battery bank with an inverter and a 5-kilowatt diesel generator to keep things topped off power-wise. There’s no need to flip circuit breakers constantly and wrestle with shore-power cords when leaving the dock. And with the boat’s integrated digital switching, owners and guests have full control of the vessel’s systems. Set the lighting, lower the terrace platforms, extend the cockpit sunshade, change the tunes and more via touchscreens.
When it’s time to get up and go, the 50 SAV shines. Regal offers two power options: triple 600 hp Mercury or quad 450 hp Yamaha engines. With the triple Mercurys, we saw a time to plane of five seconds with virtually zero bow rise. With the Humphree Interceptors in auto-trim mode, the Regal topped out at just over 49.5 knots at 5,850 rpm. Slowing to a cruising speed of 30.4 knots, consumption was 60 gallons per hour. With 700 gallons of fuel, that’s a range of more than 360 miles at cruise speed with a 10 percent reserve, more than enough to run from Miami to the Abacos and beyond.
Regal’s long history of boatbuilding is evident in its new flagship. The 50 SAV is also a standard-bearer for the next generation of Sports Activity Vessels, blending innovation and flexibility, as well as luxury and performance. Bring plenty of friends to enjoy a variety of good times on the water.
Mercury Rising
The 600 hp Mercury V-12 engines have fixed powerheads with steerable gear cases, allowing them to be mounted much closer together on the transom. A two-speed automatic transmission reduces time to plane and provides additional low-end torque. Digital controls with integrated steering and a bow thruster are standard, as is Mercury’s SmartCraft joystick control.
A Legacy Brand
In 1969, Paul and Carol Kuck founded Regal Boats, introducing a 17-foot tri-hull, a 14-foot ski boat and a 21-foot cuddy cabin, and defining a new standard in boating. Today, the company retains its focus as a family boatbuilder, with the second and third generation of Kucks in key management positions and 40 different models from 20 to 50 feet length overall currently in production.
Take the next step: regalboats.com
