Cruise in style aboard the "Rusch Life"

29 ft
Boat length
Up to 8
Passengers
No captain
The renter can operate the boat
100%
Owner’s response rate

The boat

THE PEOPLE’S PRINCESS



With a name like Regal you would expect it to be a step up from the ordinary. Yet far from being pompous and unapproachable, the 2013-model 28 Express is welcoming and engaging with a wide extended boarding platform and portside steps to a well-appointed cockpit. The Flexiteek underfoot is hardwearing and the washable cushion materials should weather the climate well. This boat strikes a happy medium – elegant without being overly fragile and afraid to get its hands dirty.



Delving deeper I was impressed with the amount of space available. It is packed with features beyond what might be expected for its size, remembering especially that it can be towed – albeit with restrictions because of its 2.6m width.



To port of the entryway is a wetbar featuring a small sink and mixer, and an Isotherm slide-out refrigerated drawer with an esky stored beneath the bench. In its standard arrangement the rear lounge has space for five around a removable table, with dedicated storage under the lounge. Towards the front of the cockpit is a three-seater lounge along the portside and a twin helm seat. There are options to convert the side lounge into a rear-facing recliner with armrest and the rear lounge into a rear-facing love seat or a full-sized daybed.



Protecting the whole cockpit area is a close-fitting bimini supported by the imposing Power Tower, which can be lowered at the flick of a switch. For overnighting or when returning in inclement weather full cockpit clears seal the area completely.



With the cabin door closed to create a wide stairway, access to the bow is easy via the opening windscreen across a non-skid walkway that can convert to a sun lounge with the addition of a large cushion. An electric winch lives in a hatch in the bow and can be operated from the helm.







SURPRISES BELOW



Open the sliding door and a wide entrance takes you down one step to the cabin. To port is a compact bathroom with nearly 2m headroom – enough space not to feel confined when showering. A large fixed shower rose is a nice touch of home and an electric-flush toilet flows to a 105lt holding tank. Water is heated from either the motor or a 240V heater.



Towards the bow a roomy lounge has its own table creating a below-deck diner or a snug entertainment area with room for up to six to settle out of the weather. The lounge converts to a full-width bed and there is a second double in a retreat under the cockpit sole.



Light Boca Ratan fabric, bamboo-look flooring and the light grey roof lining are contrasted with dark brown snakeskin-style vinyl along the side shelves. The combination affords the cabin a modern, if quirky, ambience. Little touches like glossy timber lining inside the storage shelves around the cabin help with the attention to detail, while evening lighting is supplied by four overhead LEDs or blue strip lighting around the cabin shelves.







MORE THAN A HARBOUR BLASTER



The option to cook onboard via the compact galley extends the boat’s appeal as an entertainer and overnight cruiser. Glossy, dark timber cupboards and a granite-look Corian benchtop give the galley a touch of extra quality. Appliances include a small 240V microwave, a benchtop cooker with alcohol or 240V options, and a 49lt Isotherm fridge with 12V and 240V connectivity. A sink has a matching Corian cover that can be installed to increase the bench area space for food preparation.



Extra atmosphere is only a touch-button away with music available in every cabin and the cockpit via a Fusion 700 DVD player. A remote at the helm controls the sound without having to access the main player. While investigating the sound system I noted an easily accessed and well-marked switch panel for electrical systems on the galley wall and a further master panel under a lounge in the cockpit. Full marks there.







DRIVE TIME



Plonking myself at the helm I was pleased to find the twin seat offered a comfortable bolster option. It makes you feel like a driver as well, the Faria instruments set sportingly in a moulded fibreglass panel with engine readouts for fuel, voltage, oil pressure and water temperature, plus larger central speedo and tachometer available at a glance. There is also information for depth and motor trim but unfortunately none for the Bennett trim tabs.



The electronic engine controls are sensibly placed on the side deck, their activation smooth and not too light. I liked that the setup felt easily controlled and predictable. It’s confidence boosting at speed to feel so natural at the helm.



Manoeuvring in and out of the pen was easy with the assistance of the Lenmar bowthruster and I also liked the clear rear cockpit door that allowed vision right to the port swimplatform.



We had a quick run across the bay nearly empty of fuel before topping up at the fuel wharf. Unladen, the boat proved slightly skittish but topped up with 270lt of fuel it settles down into the water for a more stable ride.



Handling of a high-decked sportsboat like the Regal is always going to be fun. There is a lot of weight above the waterline and the height of the cockpit will exaggerate the feeling of the lean angle into corners. What was surprising though is the degree of grip the hull has into even the most aggressive full-power turns. It hangs on without slipping and without cavitation.



This is down to a combination of the well-designed chines on the OceanTrac hull and the positive bite of the counter rotating props. The Regal 28 Express leans like a red-eyed motocrosser into the berms – if such an analogy can be applied to a four-tonne boat – and after the initial feeling of concern it was a fun experience. I soon felt safe and completely in control pulling lock-to-lock turns on the nearly deserted harbour.

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Ryan & Lona
Owned by
Ryan & Lona

Amenities

Stereo
Cooler / Ice chest
Swim ladder
Anchor
Fish Finder
Depth finder
GPS
VHF Radio

Specifications

Year
2013
Length
29 ft.
Make
Regal Boats
Model
28 Express Cruiser
Capacity
8
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/ (excl. fees)
Date
Duration
Start time
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Ratings & reviews

Boat location

Exact location information is provided after a booking is confirmed.

Your crew

Boat owner
Ryan & Lona
Ryan & Lona
"Rusch Life" Owner
See profile
  • Response rate: 100%
  • Avg. response time: < 48 hours

Things to know

Allowed on boat

pets
swimming
smoking
alcohol
kids under 12
fishing
glass bottles
shoes
liveaboard
red wine

  • Free cancellations until 5 days before the booking start time.
  • 50% refund for cancellations between 3-5 days before the booking start time.
  • Cancellations within 2 days of the booking start time are non-refundable.
See policy

A security deposit hold (not a charge) will be placed on your credit card 48 hours before your booking starts to cover any incidental damage that may occur during your rental. This hold is released 48 hours after the booking is complete, if no claims are made. The security deposit amount for the boat you are booking will be outlined during the check-out process.

Learn more

If requested, the owner can provide a list of available captains for bareboat charter or the renter can use their own qualified captain. If the boat is being time chartered, the owner will provide the Captain.