Regal LS6 (2019-)

Brief Summary

The Regal LS6 is a luxury sportboat with a cockpit and bow area loaded with versatile seating to welcome aboard a large crowd. Meanwhile, a single 350-hp Volvo Penta V-8 matched to a Duoprop sterndrive and a stepped FasTrac hull creates the kind of performance to keep them all entertained while running around the lake or river, or on the bay.

Key Features

• Flexible seating
• FasTrac stepped hull
• Volvo Penta V-8 sterndrive propulsion
• Large lockers for gear
• Glass-dash helm
• Low, extended swim platform
• Head compartment
• Rumble seats
• Premium-grade upholstery
• All-composite stringers

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	26’ 4'' / 8.03 m
Beam	8’ 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	5,350 lbs. 2,427 kg
Tested Weight	5,987 lbs. 2,716 kg
Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	22-deg
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	7' 9'' 2.36 m (max)
Fuel Capacity	73 gal. 276 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Total Weight	5,987 lbs. 2,716 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	2.9 sec.
0 to 30	7.5 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	N/A
Load	2 persons, 3/5 fuel, no water, no gear
Climate	86 deg., 85 humid; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 350-hp Volvo Penta V8 350 EVC Cat
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	1 x 350-hp MerCruiser 6.2 350 DTS Catalyst 1 x 350-hp Volvo Penta V8 350 EVC Catalyst 1 x 380-hp Volvo Penta V8 380 EVC Catalyst 1 x 430-hp Volvo Penta V8 430 EVC Catalyst

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Contents of Report

• Mission

• Distinguishing Features

• Performance Test

• Features Inspection

• Swim Platform

• Aft Lounging Area

• Cockpit

• Helm

• Bow

• Hull and Construction

• Engine

• Sterndrive Benefits

• Noteworthy Options

• Observations

Mission

The Regal LS6 is first and foremost a luxury sportboat with a single V-8 sterndrive for propulsion. To welcome family and friends aboard, seating spans the beam of the boat from the windshield aft to the swim platform, where wide lounges are equipped with versatile features that encourage comfort facing forward or aft. The bow seating area adds still another social area.

Distinguishing Features

• • Versatile aft lounges serve as seats in the cockpit, but also have backrests that fold forward to create aft-facing lounges. Even better, additional backrests built into the lounge seats are rumble seats that fold up from the flat seating surface to create an additional seating position.
• • The redesigned cockpit seating has evolved from previous models, using more of the 8’6” (2.59 m) beam to offer edge-to-edge seating that’s reconfigured to have 15% more seating and 17% more storage, according to the builder.

• • Dual 7” helm displays are available to show digital engine gauges, digital charts, and also share other onboard data in ways not often seen on boats of this size and type.
• • Low, extended swim platform gives terrific access to the water for swimmers and tow-sports enthusiasts.

Peformance Test

The Regal LS6 has a LOA of 26’4” (8.03 m) and a beam of 8’6" (2.59 m). With an empty weight of 5,350 lbs. (2,427 kg), 61-percent fuel, and two people onboard, we had an estimated test weight of 5,987 lbs. (2,716 kg).

With a single catalyzed 350-hp Volvo Penta V-8 spooled up to 6000 rpm, we reached our top speed of 50.5 mph. Best cruise came in at 4000 rpm and 31.3 mph. It was at that speed that the 10 gph fuel burn resulted in 3.1 mpg and a range of 207 statute miles. Range numbers are calculated by holding back a 10-percent reserve of the boat’s 73-gallon (276 L) fuel capacity.

Acceleration

When we pushed the throttle to the stop, she came on plane with a minimal 8-degree bow rise. We reached planing speed in an average 2.9 seconds, continued through 20 mph in 5.1 and reached 30 mph in 7.5 seconds. In turns she has a 10-degree roll into the turn and loses only 1 or 2 mph in all but the hardest turns. With the flat-calm lake conditions we saw on our test, we really can’t comment on how she handles any substantial chop.

Features Inspection

Let’s have a look at the many features of the Regal LS6.

Swim Platform

The swim platform projects 2’3” (0.69 m) from the transom and is topped with SeaDek nonskid matting. There is a folding reboarding ladder to the port side, mounted underneath the platform. The placement and position of this ladder matches the spirit of the ABYC specification, which mandates a ladder that extends 22” (.56 m), and can be deployed by a person in the water while allowing the person to stay as far from the prop as possible. There’s a grab handle on the transom as well as a pair of speakers and a stereo remote control. A transom trim switch is a great idea, as it allows a boater to adjust the trim of the sterndrive when the boat is on a trailer, without having to clamber aboard.

Aft Lounging Area

Mounted on a 12” (30.5 cm) elevation are two lounge seats that Regal calls UltraLounges. They are wide enough to share, and each has a beverage holder set right into the seating surface on the outboard side. The bulwarks are padded here as well for optimum comfort. These lounges are divided by a 13” walkthrough to the cockpit on centerline. A stainless tow pylon pops up at the aft end of this walkway, but it is flush to the deck when not in use.

Cockpit

The cockpit on the LS6 has been designed to use more of the space available within the boat’s 8’6” (2.59 m) beam for seating and stowage, and it’s widened 6” (15.24 cm) from comparably sized models, according to Regal. It all starts at the aft end with the transformative lounge seating. The grab handles positioned across the tops of the aft seatbacks simplify the moving of the seatbacks fore and aft, but also add a measure of safety for family and guests moving around the boat, to the swim platform and back. There are blue LED courtesy lights that make it easier to get around aboard in low-light conditions while also making a striking statement.

The upholstery on our test boat was finished in a tan color with silver piping enhanced with diamond-stitched accents and custom embroidery, all done in-house. Regal calls the interior color scheme shown on our test boat Hitch and says it’s a combination of warm and cool colors, using a light tan with gray accents. There are other colors of upholstery available with white with titanium gray, blue and red accent colors, as well as a tan color scheme called Pebble Beach.

The cockpit is lined in fiberglass that drains the water off deck surfaces, and have molded-in Diamond MarineTred nonskid, which the manufacturer says is a less abrasive pattern that is easier to clean. There are scuppers in the deck aft both port and starboard. Both sides of the cockpit have inboard-facing bench seats that use the padded coaming bolster as a backrest.

The cockpit benches to port and starboard have stowage underneath, with lids held up by gas-assist rams. The locker to port reaches all the way forward, beneath the companion seat, where a pull-out cushion grants access to that end of the space. The starboard locker has a dedicated spot for a carry-on cooler, which helps keep the deck free of clutter.

This companion seat opposite the helm has a flip-up bolster and is wide enough for two to share. Just ahead are a grabrail, and to port is the control for the standard Fusion stereo equipped with Bluetooth and six cockpit speakers.

Head

The LS6 has a head in the port console just forward of the companion seat that Regal tells us is the same size as on the 2800 bowrider. Inside we found 4’1” (1.24 m) overhead clearance with 3’ (0.91 m) of sitting headroom. The head comes standard with a chemical toilet, solid-surface countertop, an overhead light, a soft-step sole treatment, and stowage for toiletries. A portlight and stainless sink are also available.

Helm

The helm has a light-colored dash with an extended, upholstered brow over the main panel. Available dual 7” (17.78 cm) screens made up the selectable displays of the glass-dash concept on our test boat, eliminating the need for analog gauges. The hand-wrapped wheel is mounted to a tilt base. Rocker switches are located to the starboard side. There’s a 12-volt accessory plug. The entire helm and companion-seat area is surrounded by the wraparound windshield, topped with a stainless steel frame, and there’s a central walkthrough to the bow area. The helm is equipped with an electric horn beneath a stainless steel cover.

Bow

The bow is laid out in typical bowrider fashion with seating in a U-shaped configuration, but the increase in interior space is evident. The forward seat is a bit wider than usual and the forward bolster makes a comfortable aft facing lounge. Two forward-facing seats have flip-down armrests that don’t require unlatching to stow.

The ground tackle is managed forward, where it is tucked under a SeaDek covered hatch at the foredeck, that opens with a lift-and-lock latch. There’s Lewmar windlass that leads to a through-the-stem anchor roller with a polished stainless steel Lewmar plow-style anchor. Rode access is starboard and there’s also a master switch next to the up-and-down rocker switch. There’s a cleat to secure the rode and relieve pressure on the windlass. Farther forward is a foldaway navigation light.

Hull and Construction

The FasTrac hull has a single step and a 22-degree transom deadrise. The boat uses all-composite stringers for lightweight construction that delivers strength where it’s needed. The boat is laid up with a layer of vinylester resin to form a barrier coat to protect against osmotic blistering. The boat is equipped with a battery switch standard and weather-resistant Deutsch electrical connectors. The boat is constructed to NMMA, ABYC, USCG, and CE Certification standards, according to Regal. Hatches are built with resin transfer molded fiberglass and finished on both sides.

The hull is available in ten colors with a selection of nine different bootstripe colors. The bootstripe is added at the gelcoat stage for better durability than vinyl graphics.

Engine

The engine compartment is easily accessed with a manually opening hatch assisted with pneumatic struts that also hold it open. A 27” (68.58 cm) opening gives plenty of room to perform daily checks and maintenance.

Sterndrive Benefits

With the vast improvements of outboard motors seen over the last decade and the advent of pod-drive systems, sterndrive power has seen its market position ebb significantly, but the benefits of a sterndrive for a boat of this size and type are undeniable.

The sterndrive allows for an actual swim platform, rather than swimmers being shunted to either side of a glorified outboard mounting bracket. And because the sterndrive’s lower unit is positioned so close to the transom, it can be tucked well under the swim platform, so guests can sit and relax with their feet in the water, and kids can jump in and climb out of the water over and over (as they do) without fear of bumping the propeller.

The Engine is in An Engine Box. The sterndrive on the Regal LS6 is matched to a Volvo Penta V-8 engine that wasn’t engineered for size to fit beneath a cowl like an outboard. All service points and components are accessible and visible, a great advantage when eyeballing an engine looking for leaks or potential trouble spots.

Contra rotating propellers mean even a single engine does not “walk” to one side while underway due to the propellers’ rotation.

Trim adjustment is another way sterndrives improve the running attitude of a boat. Because the engine’s lower unit can be trimmed, it adds another dimension so that a boater can tune the ride.

Sterndrives are Quiet. Think about it: The engine box provides plenty of air to the engine (air-intake noise reduction is a big challenge for outboard-motor engineers). That engine box also can be well insulated both inside (with foam panels designed to attenuate sound) and outside (the foam of seating and lounges helps, too). Plus an engine in an engine box is mounted on large vibration-damping mounts.

Sterndrives Offer Performance at a Competitive Price. All of those new outboards are the result of huge investments on the part of the manufacturers and that drives up the price. The development of sterndrives stands on good, established engineering, and they benefit tweaks and adjustments that dial in performance. Plus they’re usually powered by less expensive automotive-based engine components. All in all, the price per horsepower on sterndrives is very competitive.

Noteworthy Options

• • Engine options include 350-hp MerCruiser 6.2 350 DTS Catalyst matched to Bravo 3 sterndrive, 380-hp Volvo Penta V8 EVC Catalyst match to Duoprop sterndrive, and 430-hp Volvo Penta V8 EVC Catalyst matched to Duoprop sterndrive. Also the Volvo Penta OceanX sterndrive unit is an additional option
• • Automatic fire-extinguisher
• • Dual battery switch with second tray and cables
• • Battery charger
• • Black water pumpout fittings
• • Gas vapor detector
• • Trim tabs
• • Transom shower and pressurized water system package
• • Bow and cockpit covers
• • Travel and storage cover
• • PowerTower with shade top
• • Bow walkthrough doors
• • Stainless flagpole
• • Teak cockpit table on offset base
• • Bow filler cushion
• • Aft bench filler cushion and backrest
• • Seagrass mat for cockpit
• • SeaDek sole mat
• • Fender clips
• • Power swim platform
• • Portlight in head
• • Blue underwater lights
• • Bow walkthrough doors

Observations

The Regal LS6 is built to be a luxury sportboat and to our mind that category encompasses three traits: a comfortable, well-though-out interior finished to a high level, a hull that can perform at speed, and sterndrive propulsion. While the last criterion seems very specific, it’s hard to deny that the sterndrive provides many of the benefits, and makes the boat better all around.

The true swim platform makes a big difference for swimmers and even tow-sports enthusiasts will appreciate having that launchpad for their on-water sessions. And one cannot put a price tag on the peace of mind for the captain and any parents on board, to have that propeller out of the way and also a view aft unencumbered by outboards.

The aft lounges will be the most desirable place to sit at anchor, and they’re that much better for the open view of the water. The cockpit, too, has better views aft and the low sound levels improves everyone’s day on the water.