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By
DAVID LOCKWOOD
14 August 2006
Alongside the great finish and bright interior traced by loads of glass,
the ride was the highlight of Regal’s new 3360 Express. The Oceantrac
hull has a deep 19 degrees of vee and twin 300hp V8 350 MAG MerCruiser
engines ensure snappy acceleration. Further, the soft-top boat has a
great power-to-weight ratio, weighing in at 5310kg dry, which is 1200kg
less than the Riviera M360 with hardtop.
While construction is
standard-issue GRP, the bonded hull, glass-encapsulated stringers
and moulded liner create a one-piece or monocoque structure. The
hull is backed by a lifetime warranty, with two 10-year warranties
covering most of the fittings, fixtures and engineering items.
The test boat had a custom blue
two-tone hull, so-called stars-and-stripes nautical interior
package, sunpad and cover on the bow, upgraded stereo with transom
remote, TV and DVD, windlass, central vac, cockpit icemaker (no
outdoor fridge) and optional petrol generator. The latter gives
away-from-the-dock 240-volt power for the standard issue
air-conditioner. The optional Cruise package included mooring and
safety gear.
Although very much the
attention-seeking sportsboat the 3360 has the legs and
self-sufficiency to go places. The 681-litre fuel capacity and 197
litres of water will let you stay upriver for a weekend at least,
where the static appeal of the boat will shine through.
The 3360 comes with an extended
integrated boarding platform that increases your waterfront real
estate, a central swim ladder, nearby hot/cold handheld shower,
big corner cleats, and a garage for storing fishing and dive gear,
fenders and lines, plus a separate wet locker.
Rather than having one of those
awkward engine rooms where you have to remove cockpit furniture,
head to the helm and raise the sole, Regal uses a simple electric
lift-up aft boot. You can access all the primary servicing items,
the Kohler generator, 40-amp battery charger and hot water system.
I noted sound insulation - this was a quiet boat even at speed -
additional built-in storage space, an auto fire system, double
hose clips on all lines, and coded wiring looms.
In the aft cockpit there’s a
flush-fit fold down lounge, big enough for three people that can
be stowed when you want more floor space. You will also find a
recessed 23-litre/36-can Igloo cooler for carrying the picnic
and/or prawns and refreshments aboard or to shore.
You step up from the cockpit to the
bridgedeck, which is the main seating area and shaded under the
canopy when it’s extended from the overhead targa arch,
including downlights. The built-in amenities centre to starboard
has a U-line icemaker (I would prefer a fridge), decent amount of
upmarket Corian food-prep space, cold water to a small sink,
grabrail, drinkholders and storage. You will need to add an
aftermarket barbie somewhere, of course.
The plush U-shaped lounge to port
is set around a moulded dinette that, with infill cushion, can be
turned into a daybed for that post-lunch snooze. Cleverly, the
two-person helm seat swivels 90 degrees to face the dinette. Add
the fold-up aft lounge and eight could sit outdoors and do lunch
on their laps. A great two-family casual layout.
The two-cabin open-plan layout
below decks was bathed in natural light thanks to the abundant
windows and portlights and hatches that provide ventilation. Or
dial-up the air-con for climate control. Headroom near the
portside galley is a highpoint at 190cm, with plenty of room to
move through the saloon thanks to compact furniture such as the
elongated, rather than round, dinette.
Accommodation ranges from a
transverse double bed in the bow beside a dresser seat, behind a
curtain on a stainless steel rail if privacy is needed, to a
mid-cabin that doubles as a den or lounge room, with good views to
the boat’s entertainment centre. Rearrange the cushions, draw
another curtain, and you have a second double bed in the mid
cabin. The lounge before the dinette also converts to a sleeper.
The galley opposite had Corian
counters with an extension servery leaf, concealed garbo and
appliance/pot lockers, deep round sink, microwave oven, two-burner
recessed electric cooktop, Isotherm fridge, and a 240V outlet for
the jug and toaster. Nice to see water and waste-tank gauges, too.
By any measure it’s a big head,
with an easy-clean moulded liner, recessed to maximise headroom.
There’s a Vacuflush loo, fixed showerhead and curtain on track,
Corian-topped vanity, full-length mirror, air-con vent and exhaust
fan, plus window.
Far from a handful, the 3360 was a
snap to berth, drive and command anywhere from idle to high speed.
Smooth cruise came in at 3600 to 3700rpm and 27.5 to 28.5 knots,
maximum continuous cruising revs of 4500rpm will see you doing
about 36 to 37 knots, and with a top speed of 40 to 41 knots at
5000rpm it’s as much as 20 per cent faster than some sports
cruisers in this size range.
But for all this it’s the
sun-drenched interior that sets this boat apart from its American
competition. Those forward-facing windows are a good example of
Regal’s forward thinking and reason enough to jump aboard.
AT-A-GLANCE
REGAL 3360 EXPRESS
PRICE AS TESTED: $328,755 w/ twin
MerCruiser 350 Magnum MPI petrol 300hp inboard motors, options and
accessory packages.
Length overall: 10.6 metres
Beam: 3.6 metres
Draft: 0.88 metres
Weight: 5310kg dry w/ base motor
Berths: 4+2
Fuel: 681 litres
Water: 197 litres
Holding tank: 106 litres
Engines: MerCruiser 350 Magnum MPI
300hp V8 multipoint fuel-injected petrol engine
Drives: Bravo III sterndrive
Props: Duo prop
Details: Chapman Marine Sales,
Birkenhead Point Marina, Sydney. Phone (02) 9719 818, or visit www.regalboats.com
for your nearest dealer and further details
lockwood@intercoat.com.au
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Marque Publishing Company
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