Regal 26 XO (2019-)

Brief Summary

The Regal 26 XO is an outboard version of its 26’ (7.92 m) single sterndrive cruiser. This model is essentially the same as the sterndrive 26 as far as the helm and cabin accommodations are concerned. It has far more stowage capacity because of the absence of the engine inboard, which allows this boat more functionality. However, her is swim platform is bifurcated by the outboard engine.

Key Features

• Power assisted steering
• Double wide helm seat
• Mid-cabin with double berth
• Fusion UD650 marine stereo with 2 speakers
• Salon with seating layout and berth for overnight stays
• Stainless 4.2 cu. ft. refrigerator
• Face-to-face seating for 5
• Multi-position Sunlounge
• Removable 25 quart Igloo cooler

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	26’ / 7.92 m
Beam	8’ 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	6,100 lbs. 2,767 kg
Tested Weight	6,686 lbs. 3,033 kg
Draft	19'' .48 m
Deadrise/Transom	18-deg.
Max Headroom	6’ 1.83 m
Bridge Clearance	9' 1'' 2.77 m (max)
Fuel Capacity	72 gal. 273 L
Water Capacity	20 gal. 76 L
Total Weight	6,686 lbs. 3,033 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	4.2 sec.
0 to 30	11.4 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	N/A
Load	2 persons, 1/2 fuel, no water, no gear
Climate	92 deg., 88 humid; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: 0

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 300-hp Yamaha F300 FCA 4.2LV6
Std. Power	1 x 300-hp Yamaha 4.2L V6 F300XCA
Opt. Power	Not Available

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Contents of Report

• Mission Statement

• Features Inspection

• Swim Platform

• The Cockpit

• The Helm

• The Foredeck

• The Cabin

• Performance

• Handling

• Price

• Options to Consider

• Observations

Mission Statement

Regal Marine wanted to give buyers a choice of power, sterndrive or outboard, on its 26’ (7.92 m) pocket cruiser. The 26 XO is designed to be equal parts day boat and towable cruiser with versatile seating in the cockpit and sleeping space for four in the cabin. Designers kept the beam at 8’6” (2.59 m) and dry weight is estimated at 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg), so it can be towed by a full-sized SUV or pickup in all 50 states of the U.S.

Features Inspection

The Swim Platform

The easiest way to step aboard the 26 XO from a dock is via the swim platform. Regal designed our test boat with a full width swim platform that measures 3’4” (1.0 m) fore to aft on each side of the motor and has about half that space for passing between the motor and transom. This is an improvement on older designs that have an outboard well and no transverse catwalk.

There’s a boarding ladder beneath the port side and a grab rail forward on the transom along with a cleat and the fuel fill. To starboard are the freshwater fill, a cleat, and a shower.

The Cockpit

Ascend two 6” (15.2cm) tall steps from the swim platform to enter the 26 XO’s cockpit. The 1’6” (45.7cm) -wide passage closes off with an acrylic and stainless steel gate. After passing through the gate, deck hands can step up to the side walkways that lead forward.

Wide-Body. The design of this boat is known as a “wide body” because there are no side decks. This is not unusual in pocket cruiser designs, as the builders are trying to maximize usable cockpit space within an 8’6” (2.59 m) beam.

Aft to starboard in the cockpit is a lounge with a backrest that can be set up for forward-facing travel or laid flat for tanning. We would like to see a third position for aft-facing lounging while at anchor.

Just ahead is a lounge on the aft side of the driver’s seat and to port is a lounge that can be set in multiple positions. A PowerTower that lowers with the push of a button is an available option in black or white.

Cockpit Storage

Opting for the outboard on the 26 XO pays big storage dividends with the compartment that would normally be occupied by the engine in a sterndrive application left wide open for storage. There’s dedicated space for a 36-quart cooler beneath the lounge on the back side of the driver’s seat and a continuous compartment in the base of the port-side lounge.

The Helm

The captain and a sidekick should be comfortable on the doublewide helm seat that has a foldup bolster. Outboard to starboard is the Yamaha shift/throttle control and forward, our test boat had the optional Garmin multifunction display flanked by a chain counter for the optional windlass and the fuel gauge.

Accessory switches are ahead of the tilt steering wheel in a vertical panel just below the instrument panel. Just aft to port is the joystick for the optional bow thruster and abaft that control is the stereo remote. Trim tab buttons are to starboard and down low ahead of the driver’s knees are the VHF radio to port and the ignition key to starboard.

The Foredeck

Steps molded into the cabin companionway hatch and an opening center section of the windshield make it easy to get out onto the 26 XO’s foredeck. The sloping foredeck can be fitted with an optional sun pad. Our test model had the optional windlass with the stainless steel anchor. We recommend this option for most applications. At the pointy end there’s an anchor locker and outboard are stainless steel cleats.

The Cabin

The cabin door slides open easily and a couple of steps lead to the belowdecks area where there is 6’ (1.83 m) of headroom. Forward is a dinette that fills in with a cushion to create a V-berth and the aft cabin has a memory-foam mattress that measures 4’6” by 6’4” (1.37 m x 1.93 m) and there is 30” (.76 m) of space between the mattress and the overhead. This area has an opening port and LED reading lights.

Amenities. Immediately aft to starboard is a galley with a microwave oven at eye level, a single-burner stove, a sink and refrigerator in the base of the counter. There’s also an electrical distribution panel and Fusion UD650 marine stereo in this area.

Our test model had the optional flatscreen TV on the aft cabin bulkhead. To port, the wet head has a toilet, sink in a cabinet, and an overhead shower nozzle instead of the usual pull-up style.

Performance

The Regal 26 XO is 26’ (7.92 m) long with an 8’6” (2.59 m) beam and an estimated dry weight of 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg). With two people and a half tank of fuel on board, the test weight was approximately 6,686 lbs. (3,033 kg).

Winding up the 300-hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard to 5700 rpm, we hit 40 mph even.

We recorded best cruise at 4000 rpm where the boat ran 23.4 mph and burned 12.0 gph, which translated to 2.0 mpg and a range of 127 statute miles with 10 percent of the boat’s 72-gallon (273 L) fuel capacity in reserve.

In acceleration tests, the 26 XO planed in 4.2 seconds and ran to 20 mph in 7.4 seconds and to 30 in 11.4 seconds.

Handling

With calm test conditions, we couldn’t get a feel for the boat’s rough-water handling, although her sharp bow entry let the 26 XO slice through the wakes of our photo boat with ease and the deck remained dry.

The straight V-bottom design with 18-degrees of deadrise at the transom leaned into turns comfortably. The boat carved smooth circles and zigged and zagged through slalom maneuvers with impressive agility. Around the docks, the optional bow thruster came in handy.

Price

$94,920 MSRP.

Options to Consider

• • 110-volt, 3.5 kW generator (Make sure it is Low CO or diesel.)
• • Air conditioning (It requires a gen set, but can make warm air, too…)
• • Gas Vapor detector
• • Water Heater
• • Bow Thruster
• • Power Package with 30-amp shorepower, battery charger upgrade, outlets, a microwave oven, and an electric stove.
• • Inverter. This converts D.C. battery power to A.C. Then, at night, AC appliances can be operated without turning on the generator. Obviously, there are limitations on the amount of power available for conversion.
• • Toilet with pump-out or overboard discharge
• • Electric stove
• • Cockpit cover
• • PowerTower in black or white
• • Full camper enclosure with or without PowerTower
• • Gas grill
• • Anchor windlass and SS anchor, all-chain rode
• • Starboard windshield wiper
• • Foredeck sun pad
• • SeaDek swim platform covering
• • Flatscreen TV
• • Garmin 100 VHF radio
• • Garmin 742XS + B60 transducer

Observations

As for the power, the Yamaha 300 is plenty strong, but we’d like to see Regal at least make a 350 available as an option. While it will make the boat only go marginally faster at the top end, it should have more torque at the lower end which would be welcome at lower speeds. As configured, the outboard well will not hold twin engines.

The Regal 26 XO looks a bit chubby, but that is the nature of all pocket cruisers in this class. In order to have 6” (.15 m) headroom below this relatively light boat must be high.

This boat offers great utility for a couple or a small family on a budget. Because she is trailerable, numerous world-class cruising grounds can be reached. Because she can be outfitted with a generator and cruising canvas that encloses the cockpit, she can be a mini express cruiser. With a reverse cycle A/C system and a hotwater heater she can be comfortable in three seasons up north or in the tropics.

Take a look at the real small “trawlers” and displacement cruisers on the market and you will see that they offer only a little bit more utility, but are much more expensive.