2024 Regal 50 SAV

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

It is difficult not to speak in superlatives when reviewing Regal’s newest flagship, which at over 53-feet with engines is the largest boat in its impressive fleet of 39 models.

Introduced to the public at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show, the Regal 50 SAV is a showcase of innovation and flexibility: of technology, of design, of utilization of space, and of comforts and conveniences. It is loaded with standard equipment and it rides on Regal’s new OceanTrac2 hull on a moderate deep-vee with transom deadrise of 18 degrees. With kudos to Regal, you are given a choice of outboard power from either Yamaha or Mercury.

From Yamaha you will get quad F450 5.6 L V8’s totaling 1,800 horsepower. These new Yamahas come with joystick control and the new Helm Master® EX with digital controls and electric steering which integrate with and self-activate the standard bow thruster.

From Mercury you will get, as the introductory boat in Miami was equipped, triple 600 Verado 7.6L naturally aspirated, 48 valve, dual overhead cam V-12’s totaling the same 1,800 horsepower. These newest in outboard technology feature fixed powerheads with steerable gearcases, two-speed automatic transmissions, and counter-rotating propellers. Digital controls with integrated steering and bow thruster are standard as is SmartCraft joystick control.

The Regal 50 SAV’s showcase of innovation and flexibility is perhaps best exemplified in the cockpit area beneath the hardtop. Starting with the helm itself, it looks straightforward with three Garmin 22” screens, which by themselves provide almost total control of all functions onboard including digital switching control. Below the centre screen is a tilting stainless steel steering wheel with power knob.

To the right of the wheel are the engine controls, joystick, three adjustable air conditioning/heating nozzles, the Garmin VHF radio, and the head unit of the JL Audio “Ultimate Audio Package” which itself includes 18 speakers, two subwoofers, and four 800-Watt amplifiers. To the left of the wheel is the bow thruster control, wireless phone charger, lockable storage compartment, and three more air/heat outlets. There are a total of four Scanstrut wireless chargers plus USB-A & C and 12-VDC receptacles. A full-width footrest serves the helm.

Facing the helm are four high-back contoured captain’s chairs, each with a pair of fold-up armrests and a forward flip-up bolster. The centre two chairs are for driver and passenger and the outer two are spaced slightly further apart to accommodate the amazing fold-away GarmRests which serve the outer seat on each side and the inboard seat next to it. Each GarmRest consists of a Garmin 9” screen providing more convenient monitoring and vessel control of selected functions. The outboard two captain’s chairs also have fold-down backrests and swivel totally around to face aft.

A second set of seating aft of the captain’s chairs are what Regal is referring to as multi-position Sleigh Seats. This is a pair of side-by-side two-person-each adjustable bench seats with power-adjustable backs to augment your comfort. They also power swivel to face forward or aft and the seatbacks fold down flat to provide a countertop-like surface to serve the Refreshment Island aft. Below these seats are a pair of large storage compartments and a large removable Igloo cooler.

Aft of the Sleigh Seats, the Refreshment Island features a pair of 48-volt smokeless grills and a sink with faucet and cutting board all on the upper surface. Below on each end is a drawer refrigerator (or one fridge, one freezer – your choice) with utensil drawers between them. On each end of the Island is a large tip-out trash container. Above the Island on the hardtop is another screen, this time a Garmin 16” as well as a pair of wireless phone chargers. Just forward of this on the hardtop is another screen above the Sleigh seating, this time a Garmin 943.

On the aft side of the Refreshment Island is an-aft-facing mezzanine comfortable two-person, couch with, wait for it, air conditioned/heated backrests and armrests which double as top-loading fridge/freezers. Beneath the seat cushions are large storage compartments. A transom “island” features a forward-facing flip-down convertible bench seat on front with a pair of 30-gallon pressurized livewells on top, aft of which are eight flush-mounted rodholders.

A transom gate on each side leads to a large U-shaped swim platform flanking the engines. A concealed boarding ladder is on the port side and, if you choose the triple Mercury’s, you will also get a PowerPlatform on the starboard side (there is physically not enough room to include this with the quad Yamahas). From the mezzanine seat aft, both hull sides of the 50 SAV fold down level with the cockpit sole and swim platform to become “Terraces” and thus create a huge entertainment area.

A dive door within each of these terraces provides excellent water or docking access. Within the cockpit sole on each side is a large fishbox with macerator. Stern anchor storage is provided as is both raw and fresh water washdown, hot and cold transom shower, tackle storage, and four more USB-C chargers. A standard cockpit PowerShade retracts from within the hardtop and a pair of aft spreader lights are provided. An “Ultimate” underwater light package is provided as is a sunroof in the hardtop. A 55” Samsung “outdoor” TV with automatic brightness control based on ambient lighting conditions power retracts into the hardtop.

Spacious bow seating features lots of drinkholders and USB-C receptables and storage beneath two of the bench seats. Up front, anchor, windlass, rope, and chain are standard as is freshwater washdown. A manual Bimini portable bowshade is available as are bow filler cushions, a high gloss teak bow table, and a portable bow boarding assist handle.

The bow cabin below offers V-berth social seating with filler cushions, loads of storage, stand-up headroom, and a 32” television. The mid-cabin features an island king-size bed with two night-tables with wireless chargers, and an L-shaped settee. A 32” TV is optionally available. The head compartment with separate stand-up shower has a vessel sink, vanity with mirror, and lots of storage.

Additional notable standard equipment includes Humphree Interceptors in place of trim tabs, a Seakeeper 6 stabilization system, and what Regal calls LivePower. LivePower is a hybrid power system which seamlessly combines a 48-volt Lithium-Ion battery bank with inverter with a 5kW Panda diesel generator and with the shore power for uninterrupted power delivery so that the 50 SAV is always powered and always charged.

Available factory accessories include seven choices of hull and/or bottom colours, nine bootstripe colours and four colour choices for the underside of the hardtop. You may want the high gloss teak cockpit table and/or the high gloss teak trim package. Bow and cockpit seat covers would be handy as would be the canvas enclosure for the helm. You may want the Nugget ice maker to replace the fridge/freezer in the port side mezzanine armrest, satellite TV, Garmin radar, and a FLIR night vision camera.

Cockpit Seagrass Mat with SeaDek swim platform mat is standard or you may want instead the optional SeaDek or Synthetic Teak throughout. Other options include a pair of paddleboard holders, a LillyPad and holder, hardtop and/or cockpit rocket launchers, and 18-foot Gemlux Deluxe outriggers. Performance-wise, the triple Mercury 600 Verado outboards gave the 50 SAV a top speed of almost 57 mph at 6400 RPM along with an optimum cruising speed of over 33 mph at 4000 RPM.

Regal’s newest flagship is indeed a marriage of innovation and flexibility with luxury, spaciousness, and comfort. It takes dayboating and weekending to a whole new level of technology and pampering to be enjoyed by watersports enthusiasts, cruisers, and fishing enthusiasts alike.

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