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The Regal LX2 is a mid-size bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Regal of United States, a builder trading since 1969. On our measurements it works out at roughly 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) of hull with a beam near 8 ft 10 in (2.69 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. Family-owned builder with luxury-grade interiors in trailerable sizes.
Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 10 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.
Underway the LX2 behaves the way a well-sorted mid-size bowrider should. It comes onto the plane early, holds a low tow speed without wallowing and tracks flat through a hard turn instead of skating out. In short chop you slow down and let the hull do the work, and it stays surprisingly dry for the size.
Power is a 150-225 hp petrol stern drive package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. A stern drive keeps the transom clean and the engine low in the hull, which lowers the centre of gravity and gives that quiet, torquey feel off the mark that skiers appreciate.
Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Regal owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy stern drive package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.
Fishing is the quiet strength of this hull. Pull the bow cushions and the forward lounge becomes an open casting platform with clear access all the way around the bow, and the rear lounge lifts out to open up the transom and side gunwales. Ten minutes of work turns the family boat into a genuinely capable fishing boat, and ten minutes the other way turns it back again before anyone gets home.
Build and finish sit where you would expect for a luxury boat from United States. Regal brought yacht-style finishing into the trailerable bowrider class, and the LX range is the clearest example: wrapped upholstery, hidden fasteners, soft-close lockers, powered sunpads and helm surfaces that would not look out of place on a cabin cruiser twice the price. The brand is still family owned, which shows in the consistency of the build and the willingness to keep supporting older models. FasTrac stepped hull bottoms are Regal's signature engineering feature, trapping air along the running surface to lift the boat earlier, hold a flatter attitude and reduce drag at cruise — worth real fuel savings over a season. Regal bowriders suit owners upgrading from a mainstream brand who want extra polish and a quieter ride without stepping up to a cabin boat or losing trailerability. They are heavier than value-brand rivals of the same length, which helps in chop but means you want a decent tow vehicle. Resale is solid, and well-kept examples sell quickly because supply is limited.
Options worth having on the LX2 are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.
As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. Boats from this builder hold their money well, so a tidy example will not be cheap, and that is usually a sign you are buying the right one.
Our price guide for the LX2 is US$82,000 - US$108,000 new, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Regal has been refining that formula since 1969, and the LX2 is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.
The world's best selling bowrider size, Light, simple and easy to tow.
US$38,000 - US$52,000 new
The refined mainstream benchmark: quiet, dry, and beautifully finished for the money.
US$72,000 - US$95,000 new
A premium 25-foot bowrider renowned for its deep seating, convertible lounges, refined ride and exceptional finish.
US$155,000 - US$210,000 new
Featured Boat of the Week
This week we are putting the Bayliner Bayliner DX2000 in the spotlight, and it earns the spot. At 20 ft 2 in (6.16 m) long on a 8 ft (2.44 m) beam, this is a bowrider that reads the water well and still feels roomy enough for a full day out. A 20-foot deck-boat-width bowrider with outboard power and a huge social cockpit. Power comes from 115-150 hp mercury fourstroke outboard through a outboard package, and the fibreglass hull keeps the ride settled when the afternoon breeze puts a chop on the surface.
Seating is rated for 8 people, so there is space for family, friends, towels, eskies and the tow rope without anyone climbing over gear. Owners tend to buy it for family, water ski, leisure — which is exactly where it shines. Fuel is 30 us gal (114 l), and on the second-hand and new market you should expect to land somewhere around US$42,000 - US$58,000 new depending on hours, trailer and options.
Our full deep dive covers the layout in detail: bow lounge comfort, helm ergonomics, the rear entertaining area, storage that actually swallows a weekend, plus standard features, popular options and honest notes on where the boat compromises. If the Bayliner DX2000 is on your shortlist, start there — and check back next week, because the featured boat changes every week as we complete more full model reviews.
Featured Bowrider Article
Comparisons
A cuddy cabin takes the same hull as a bowrider and decks over the bow to create a small enclosed space. Whether that is an upgrade or a downgrade depends entirely on whether you would rather sit in the sun or shelter from it. Shelter is the headline benefit. A cuddy provides a place to change, keep gear dry, escape rain or sun, and install a portable toilet — which is a genuine game-changer for families with young children or for anyone boating in unpredictable weather. It also offers lockable storage. Cameras, phones, wallets and fishing tackle can live behind a cabin door rather than in an open locker, and many cuddies include a V-berth cushion set for occasional overnight stays at anchor. Seating and sociability. A bowrider's forward lounges add four seats and turn the front of the boat into the best place to sit at anchor. Decking that area over removes it, and the cabin space you gain is small, dark and awkward compared with a proper cabin boat. Most cuddy cabins in the 5.5-7.0 m range are too cramped to sleep in comfortably for more than a night. Many owners end up using the space purely as a wet locker, which is…
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