Regal Marine Opens New...

Over 1200 people attended a gala on March 31 in Orlando, FL as Regal Marine officially opened its new 135,000-square foot yacht manufacturing facility, as well as the christening of the company's new 5260 Commodore express cruiser. The local mayor proclaimed March 31st "Regal Marine Industries Day."

The company’s new flagship was afloat in one of the plant's test tanks. The ceremony also remembered Paul and Carol Kuck, the company's founders who passed away during the last two years. "Dad had a great vision," said son and president Duane Kuck, "He could see farther than anyone" and years ago bought the ground adjacent to Regal's original plant.

Today, Regal has 650,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space and over 800 employees. The Regal plants have earned the prestigious ISO-9001:2000 designation from the International Organization of Standards, which the globally accepted model for quality manufacturing. The company builds about 2,000 new boats a year from 19' to 52.'

Among the 1200 guests were many of the 35 people who have reportedly put down deposits on the new 52. The boat is being sold factory direct (saving the dealers the cost of inventory), and carries a base price below $700,000, which makes it roughly the same cost as a number of 42-footers on the market. The boat is semi-custom with buyers able to select from several layouts, in addition to specking many interior materials and fabrics. Duane Kuck says the company plans to build about 20 of the 52s the first year.