Boat Review - Regal 2300 RX

Bottom Up Innovation

 Perhaps it’s that very diversity that has inspired such innovations as their patented FasTrac hull, which reduces drag via a stepped hull. This allows for air to be introduced under the hull, just behind the step with the result being less resistance while underway. The effect is a more ‘slippery’ underside for better efficiency.

 If you remember back when the notion of stepped hulls was first being developed with the go-fast crowd, you’ll recall that various manufacturers were discovering that these hulls were encountering some of loss of control during high speed cornering.  The engineers at Regal overcame this
potentially dangerous condition by further advancing the hull design to include precisely placed reverse chines running longitudinally along the bottom to maintain stability and keep a bite on the water. They also provided larger lifting strakes at the hull sides for increased lift. The combined benefits of the tuned steps + increased lift resulted in the FasTrac hull. This innovative design translates into a safe ride with greater fuel economy and increased performance over traditional deep-vee hulls. According to company specs, the FasTrac hull design results in 26% faster speeds and an impressive 30% increase in fuel economy. Fast, safe AND economical? Sounds like a win-win-win scenario to me.


Fun, Fun, Fun

OK, enough time under the boat, let’s dry off and take a look at the features of this family sport boat that make it, well - fun!

  Probably the best way I can think of to describe the 2300 RX is that it is a big bow rider with a sports car heart. Available with your choice of either Mercruiser or Volvo stern drive power plants that range from ranging from 270 to 320 horsepower, you can choose the engine company of preference. Access to the engine compartment is made more convenient by having the stern cover tilt forward, making getting at it from the more practical swim platform side.

With dimensions of 24’ in length and an 8’-6” beam, this trailerable boat has seating for up to 12 people and was designed primarily for fun - and water sports are going to be a big part of that play time. Two stereo speakers, a tow eye and storage for wake boards are located on the ‘Power Tower’, which folds down at the flick of a switch. The ability to tuck it down allows for easier transporting when trailering or better fit into your garage.

 A water friendly feature that I like is that the swim platform is low to the water, making it easy and comfortable for swimmers or skiers to reboard without pinching a nerve to climb out of the water (too many times I’ve seen boats that appear to be better suited to circus contortionists than a family and friends chillin’ out on the water). It also extends well over the outdrive, making it safer when jumping into the water here. Regal also positioned the re-boarding ladder off to the port side and offset it. This frees up the platform for sitting or moving around, even if swimmers are repeatedly in and out of the water. For anyone with younger kids, you’ll quickly see the how this simple design feature would lessen those squabbles between siblings that might otherwise have to climb over one another.

 Further study of the back of the 2300 RX reveals a transom mounted stereo remote control and a pair of LED transom brake lights which act as an extra set of brake/turn signals when the boat is being trailered. A great feature when anchored in shallow water is the auxiliary transom switch to trim the outdrive up or down.

The backrests on the sunpad share that duty with the rear cockpit seats. Removing the center cushions provides for a ‘flexi-teak’ protected walk through to the ‘largest in class’ cockpit and the wrap around, arena style passenger seating.  To port is an aft facing seat, situated for the passenger to keep an eye on skiers or wake boarders. This seat flips forward with the aid of gas assisted rams to reveal a cavernous storage compartment, perfect for stowing oversized items like skis, PFD’s, dive gear and whatever else you want to take along for a fun filled day.

 Behind the helm seat is the lift out cooler. There is a mount for the dining table aft, which is storable when not in use.

One thing I’ve appreciated about Regal boats for many years is that their hulls always look straight and true with consistent colours. Eyeballing the sides of some competitor’s boats sometimes reveals a lesser degree of care when laying up the hull, but again, Regal quality comes through on the 2300 RX. The same quality follows through when looking at the upholstery, available in a palette of colors to match with the hull selections.

 At the helm we find a vinyl wrapped dash to help reduce glare, Faria gauges, power steering and a 12-volt receptacle. The Fusion marine stereo is situated just to port of the steering wheel for uninterrupted access by captain and crew.

Moving forward to the bow there are two forward facing sun pads, complete with fold away armrests. As we found with the cockpit seating, these cushions also tilt up aided by gas struts to provide even more storage. Another nice touch is a dedicated anchor locker; something not always found on boats this size. An additional table mount is also located forward.

 Sized for nimble handling and packed with innovation, the 2300 RX ably reflects the values that Paul and Carol Kuck based Regal Boats on many years ago - values that your family can enjoy for years to come.

Photos courtesy of Regal Boats, www.RegalBoats.com

Cruisers Yachts 390 Sports Coupe Review

  I'm happy to announce that I will be writing a number of boat reviews for the eBay Motors Blog :-) This look at the Cruisers Yachts 390 Sports Coupe is the first in the series.

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When looking for an express cruiser, most purchasers generally take into account two main criteria; cruisability and overnight accommodations. Well, this 2011 Cruisers Yachts 390 Sports Coupe has added one more benchmark - entertaining.

 Equipped with a full complement of factory options as well as many aftermarket items, this ‘freshwater only’ boat is ready to hit the water in style. Impressing your guests will merely be icing on the cake.

The sleek exterior styling is enhanced by a moulded hardtop that includes a retractable hatch with sunroof and centre windshield section that opens for direct access to the bow via moulded in steps next to the helm. This will come in handy as the boat has a less than generous walk-around, built that way to expand the space in the cockpit and the cabin areas.

Boarding the boat from the swim platform, you will be walking on the Flexiteek marine decking that extends throughout the cockpit area. Made from synthetic materials, this product provides excellent non slip performance, easy maintenance and clean up – without sacrificing natural teak-wood trees.

 Before stepping inside, take note of the four LED light enhanced speakers planted in the transom. These are only part of the impressive stereo system that is powered by no less than three amplifiers pushing a total of ten mid/high range speakers plus three sub-woofers. The main Sony head unit, located in the cabin, can also be controlled by a dash mounted remote located at the helm. A fixed mounted flat screen TV rounds out the A/V lineup.

 All those toys are sure to heat things up, so it’s a good thing the cockpit is equipped with a fridge/ice maker, bar sink and reverse cycle air conditioning to keep things cool.  Removable cockpit tables can be set at the aft seating or in front of the double wide companion seat, situated beside the helm. At the helm, you will also find a Raymarine C90 multifunction/GPS chartplotter as well as the controls for the Volvo 550 IPS (8.1 litre, gas fueled) power plants.

 Volvo pioneered pod drives for use on pleasure boats and, according to manufacturer specs, the benefits of the 550 IPS units include the following;

• 30% reduced fuel consumption
• 30% less CO2 emissions
• 50% lower perceived noise level
• 40% longer cruising range
• 20% higher top-speed
• More predictable handling
• Joystick docking

 Because the pod drives are situated under the boat, instead of hanging off the transom, the engines can be placed farther aft, freeing up living space in the cabin. And since they use drive by wire technology and can operate at completely opposing angles and at different engine speeds, the computer controlled joystick commands make docking child’s play.

Also of note is that the Volvo IPS 550’s were the first inboard gas engines to incorporate a catalytic converter. The engineers at Volvo knew that for this to work, the exhaust gases would have to remain at a considerably higher temperature than what would be the norm in a traditional marine exhaust system, where cooling water is introduced into the exhaust stream. This is not suitable for the catalytic system to be effective. So, the workaround is to utilize a double walled, titanium coated aluminum exhaust, with water flowing between the inner and outer layers, thus providing the heat needed while cooling the exhaust walls. And you thought all the cool engine technology was reserved for the automotive world.

  A power assisted rear deck and fixed ladder to the engine room provides easy access to the four batteries (on Smart charger) and Kohler generator. The quick detach propane gas BBQ grill also stores out of the way down here when not being used on the swim platform.

Moving below decks, we find the galley to port, at the base of the stairs. Cruisers Yachts decided to forego a mid-cabin arrangement and instead took advantage of the room gained by using the IPS drives by pushing the entire main cabin farther aft. The result of this layout is a larger feeling cabin and the ‘Sports Coupe’ designation. The trade-off is that the privacy of an extra mid-cabin stateroom is lost. Not a problem for a cruising couple, or for those who may only have guests overnighting on rare occasions, but might present issues if younger kids are aboard regularly.

 The large, open cabin on the 390 is further accentuated by the design of the forward berth. To maximize volume (and moving around area) on the boat, the designers placed the bed at an angle to conserve space, yet were still able to fit in a queen size berth. For those times when extra sleeping space is needed, there is a privacy curtain that screens off the fold out aft couch, providing accommodations for two more.

  The entertainment factor continues with two more flat screen TVs, one in the cabin and one in the forward berth. A KVH TracVision satellite system provides signals when out on the water. Even under way, or gently rolling at anchor, the gyro stabilized receiver holds a positive fix on the signal.
A separate reverse air/heat system keeps things comfy in the cabin. A full head with separate shower is to port, forward of the galley. Large, elliptical fixed windows behind the main settee, as well as in the galley, along with two porthole windows in the forward berth bring natural light into the cabin. There are also opening, overhead hatches, complete with slide away SkyScreen covers.

 One last look back on deck, we find a polished, stainless steel anchor with windlass, dual windshield wipers and reclining deck lounge pads. There is a transom mounted hot and cold shower and for rainy days, a canvas mooring cover.

 This boat has one more fun feature to offer. When the sun goes down, go ahead and turn on the MEGA LED light show system that features 8 different colours with 8 different functions and speeds. There are 36 individual LED underwater lights, comprised of two pods with 12 lights each and two pods with 6 lights each. If that’s not enough for you, there’s even LED lights in the side vents. . . Now that’s entertainment!

Choosing a Boat Anchor - eBay Guides

Here is another of my eBay Guides. Have a read and let me know what you think!

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Unlike the hit song from the 70's, the last thing you want to do is 'Drift Away' after setting your anchor. A bit of planning and the right equipment will make setting the hook a secure experience.

Anchor Styles

A smaller boat needs a smaller anchor and a bigger boat needs a bigger anchor, right? This is not always the case, as size is an important consideration, but not the only one. Our experience has shown that the style of anchor has a greater bearing on its holding power than mere bulk.

When deciding on an appropriate anchor, take the following into consideration;
•    Size of boat
•    Bottom structure
•    Sea and weather conditions

Considering at the various styles, think about where most of your anchoring will take place. Will it be a lazy afternoon at a quiet, inland bay or for days on end alongside a more exposed Caribbean island? Either way, take into account the bottom conditions to determine the corresponding style.

 For small runabouts to larger cruisers, the most popular choices are;
•    Claw or Bruce. Designed for mud bottom.
•    Danforth. Best suited to a sand bottom, as the sharp flukes will dig in with tremendous holding power. Can also be used in a mud bottom, but may be more difficult to break free than a plow when retrieving.
•    Delta or Plow. As the name implies, this anchor is designed to work its way into the bottom, much like a farmers plow. Good all-around anchor in many conditions, including weeds.
•    Scoop Style (Spade, Rocna). These are relative newcomers to the scene and report fast setting with superior holding power. Down side is that they may be more difficult to retrieve and bring up lots of mud/weeds when set in those sea floor conditions.

 We generally boat where the bottom is mud or sand and use a delta style anchor as our main, with a smaller Danforth as a backup or stern anchor. Our inflatable dingy has limited storage, making a folding grapnel style or mushroom anchor feasible choices. Although small and easy to store, these compact units are best suited to short term use only.

Anchor Construction

Most anchors are forged from steel with a galvanized coating to prevent rust, as they are relatively strong and reasonably priced. This mass production material is the most common used and we have never had an issue with this type of construction. Although more expensive, stainless steel anchors are another choice as they offer considerably more strength and can be polished to a high gloss shine. Think of it as having both ‘bling’ and ‘brawn’ for your bow ;-)

 Rope or Chain?

Now that an anchor has been selected, we need to secure it to the boat. Use an anchor shackle to connect the anchor to the rode or chain. A piece of stainless steel locking wire should be run through the removable pin and tied around the shackle to avoid it turning out from vibration. No stainless wire on board? For a short term solution, a common zip tie can be used in a pinch, but is more susceptible to deterioration from use or UV damage.

The anchor rode (or line) is the next common element, produced from rope, chain or combination of both.

 The advantages of an all rope anchor rode is its light weight and ability to stretch. The three common rope configurations are; traditional ‘twisted’ line, ‘single braid’ or ‘double braided’ line. Nylon is the preferable material, having the desirable characteristics of good elasticity and resistance to UV light.  Another choice is Polyester, which is not quite as strong as nylon, but has better abrasion resistance and more UV resistant. The disadvantage of all rope is that it is considerably more susceptible to chafing and deterioration than chain.

Going with all chain will offer more weight, tending to improve the angle at which the anchor sets on the bottom. Chain is also preferable when anchoring in coral or rocky bottoms to reduce chafing that might otherwise occur on an all rope line. The disadvantage of going with all chain is that in very windy conditions the chain may go tight, with no slack or give. This could cause the anchor to break loose or damage deck fittings. Introducing a separate snubber line close to the deck would help relieve that strain.

Our choice matches that of many cruising boaters; a rope/chain combination, which gives us the benefits of both materials. Whichever way you go, be sure to have a ratio of at least ten times the length of rode to the depth of water you will be anchoring in - having even more on hand is advisable.

Windlass

The ‘First Mate’ on our boat loves the convenience of our mechanical windlass, which hoists the anchor up and down at the flick of a switch. Windlasses come with specific chain or rope sizes that they can work with, so match the rode to the unit you will be using.

It’s important to keep in mind that when using a windlass and the anchor has been set, it is imperative to take the load off of it, as it is not designed to bear the force generated by the boat’s weight. We have seen a fellow boater’s windlass that was damaged beyond repair when it was not properly tied off on a windy day. To avoid this yourself, relieve the windlass by attaching the rode directly to a cleat, or use a chain lock for an all chain rode. A mooring snubber will further reduce the strain on both the rode & boat.

Whatever your choice in hardware, once anchored it is vital to keep an eye on everything, checking periodically to make sure you are maintaining your anchorage. Changes in wind direction or speed, current or wave action can all affect the anchor’s hold, so be sure to be aware of these changes and adjust accordingly.

 With a sound anchoring solution, you can relax to a ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling’.

eBay Guides - How To Clean And Wax Your Boat

  It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the very first posting in the all new eBay Motors Boating Blog. As a life long boating enthusiast, I am excited to have been welcomed on with the team at eBay and look forward to contributing to this new, 'boater specific' endeavour. Having long served the automotive crowd with the eBay Motors Blog, the launch of the Boating Blog is sure to offer the same level of insightful reviews, guides and stories for the entire boating community.

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How To Clean And Wax Your Boat

There is nothing like the anticipation of getting your boat ready for the water, be it the spring launch or a mid season scrub and shine. And having it sparkling clean adds more than just pride in your ride, but real value.

Washing

Before you shine, remove the grime! Washing all the dirt off before polishing/waxing is critical to avoid scratching the finish, so grab a garden hose and let's get to work.

 An environmentally friendly boat soap takes care of removing the dirt deposited from air borne pollutants, bird and insect droppings, as well as plain old dust. We are fortunate enough to keep our boat in a larger marina with the convenience of being able to park our car right behind the boat slip. The only drawback with this arrangement is that the boat is continuously exposed to the associated dust kicked up by incoming vehicles. A good, soft bristle brush will show that dirt who's in charge, while saving your back. Regular washing throughout the season is also a good practice, making this one of the most commonly used tools aboard!

 Deeper stains left behind from bird and spider droppings, tree sap and seeds may need a more concentrated spot cleaner. These areas may require a little more elbow grease and these types of cleaners should help do the trick.

 If you have residue from old stickers or stripes, glue left behind will clean off with basic acetone. Keep in mind that acetone is highly flammable and can cause skin irritation. As well, it will cause dye to run from fabrics and other material, so use extreme caution while handling and always test an inconspicuous are first.

 After everything has been washed and rinsed thoroughly, use a genuine leather chamois to wipe away any standing water. These also come is handy after a rainfall to avoid water spots. It's also a good habit to dry things off on the mornings after a particularly 'dewy' night. This helps to keep the bugs from sticking to the boat! 

Polish & Wax

Restoring the shine on your hull is an easy task when using the appropriate tools and polishes. For dull and chalky finishes, a power polisher with a more aggressive polishing compound may be required.

Care should be taken when using a polisher as, depending on the quality of boat builder, some gel coat finishes may be thinner at sharp edges and subject to 'burn through'. If this happens and the fiberglass matting is exposed, repairs would be required - so go easy in these areas.

For gel coat finishes that are not as faded, a 'one step' type of application could be all you need. These offer cleaner and wax in one bottle and, when dealing with smaller areas, can be easily applied by hand.

If you are waxing a larger hull or superstructure areas, a random orbital waxer/polisher will get the job done quicker - and save your arm muscles.  A random orbital works by both spinning the bonnet in a circular motion, while also moving around in an elliptical fashion. What this does is help to apply the wax more uniformly and effectively so that you don't miss any spots.

 While the wax is drying, this is a good time to thoroughly inspect the entire work area to make sure you haven't overlooked anything. Making sure that the more difficult spots to get at, such as under the rub rail or anchor roller, vent ports or inlets, cleats, etc. have been covered ensures they are protected as well.

 Once the wax has set up and is dry to the touch, it's time to buff off. Wipe off the residue with a circular motion using clean microfiber cloths. Gently hand buff the entire area to bring up a lustrous shine.

 Now it's time to stand back and enjoy the results of your labour. Knowing that your pride and joy has been protected from the elements will lead to more relaxation on the water. With everything gleaming and shining,  you just might need a 'cool' pair of sun glasses to enjoy that 'hot' looking boat ;-)

Writing For Ebay

I am very pleased to announce that I have been invited by eBay to contribute a number articles to their new boating blog. More specifically, eBay Motors, which focuses on the motorized world, including boats.

 Probably no surprise, but 'Boats' is the part where I come in ;-)

 As part of increasing awareness for all boaters, eBay Motors is expanding their reviews, guides and more to help those of us needing anything from maintenance items to parts, accessories, boats and pretty much everything else you might need - including insightful written articles.

 As part of the newly expanded team, I look forward to adding value with my initial series of  'How To Guides'. Along with posting them directly on the eBay site, I will also be sharing them here, so I hope you will follow along.

 As many of you know, sharing my boating experiences is something that I continually work to expand, all the while working towards making this passion a full time endeavor. Being part of the eBay team will help me realize this dream and I am look forward to your continuing support! And hey, you never know what you might learn ;-)