2021 Regal 42 FXO Flybridge

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

Outboard power and the many advantages it offers is becoming more and more in vogue for larger and larger pleasure boats. Indeed, almost half of Regal’s current fleet of nine models in its Yacht series of Sport Coupes, Grande Coupes, and Flybridge models from thirty-five to forty-two feet are available with outboard power.

This 42 FXO Sport Yacht is the flybridge version of Regal’s 42 XO Yacht which itself is the outboard-powered version of Regal’s very successful 42 Grande Coupe Yacht. This 42 FXO Flybridge is powered by Triple Yamaha 5.6 L 425 horsepower outboard motors, offering a total of 1,275 horsepower.

Together, these motors provide a comfortably quick and relatively efficient cruising speed of 32.4 mph at 4200 RPM and a thrilling and abnormally quick top speed of 48.8 mph at 5900 RPM in factory test results. Think of it, which is almost 50 mph in a 42-foot flybridge yacht weighing in dry at over 26,000 pounds! Anybody for barefoot waterskiing?

And you’re not going to get tossed around on that flybridge when the going gets rough either, as the 42 FXO comes standard equipped with a Seakeeper 3 Stabilization System with its active control which claims to “eliminate up to 95% of boat roll in all sea conditions.” Regal is known for its substantial standard equipment inclusions and this tradition holds true on the 42 FXO.

Boarding the 42 FXO is a treat given the substantial side extensions on the swim platform, which itself offers lots of walking room ahead of the motors and aft of the transom. A concealed boarding ladder on the port side of the platform invites easy water access which, with the engines fully raised up and out of the water, allows this yacht to anchor in shallow water for convenient beaching access.

A portside transom gate leads to the cockpit which is level with the salon floor and separated from it by full-height sliding glass doors. A generous overhang extension of the hardtop roof provides some sun and weather protection for the cockpit. With the salon glass doors open, the cockpit electric smokeless grill with refrigerator beneath becomes simply an extension of the salon galley on the starboard side. Aft of this grill station is an L-shaped lounge which fills the balance of the starboard side of the cockpit and extends across the stern to the transom gate.

Storage is found beneath this lounge and a removable seat and back section on the starboard side permits easy access for boarding. Seagrass floor covering is standard in the cockpit. A teak cockpit table is optionally available. A staircase with teak steps leads from the port side of the cockpit up to the flybridge. One of the oft-forgotten advantages of outboard power is the absence of engines beneath the cockpit sole. In the case of this 42 FXO, this becomes a mammoth step-down-into beam-to-beam lazarette storage compartment with shelving and 42-inches of headroom!

Water resistant Amtico flooring serves in the salon which features a port side full length couch which may optionally be made convertible for additional sleeping capacity. On the starboard side aft of the lower helm chair is the galley with lots of drawers and storage and equipped with the usual sink, two-burner cooktop, microwave, plus stacked drawer refrigerator and drawer freezer. Above the galley, a 32-inch TV motors silently down into view to serve the port side couch. Dimmer-controlled indirect lighting sets the mood while a Fusion ANT wireless remote controls the upgraded performance stereo from anywhere on the boat.

Overnight accommodation on the lower level features an aft stateroom with twin berths which convert to a king. A settee/sofa is on the port side facing the bed and a cedar-lined armoire with drawer storage is supplied as is a 32-inch TV. The forward stateroom with sliding privacy door features a standard height Olympic queen bed with innerspring mattress, cedar-lined hanging locker with drawer storage, and a 32-inch TV with BluRay DVD player.

A starboard-side ensuite head with separate shower stall serves this forward stateroom and features a second entry door to make it also available for guests. Both staterooms feature hullside fixed windows for natural lighting. Between the two staterooms on the port side is a refreshment centre with lots of storage and a counter top with sink. A refrigerator is available. This refreshment centre may be optionally replaced with a second head compartment.

The flybridge with its spectacular view provides lots of seating with an aft starboard side L-shaped lounge with under seat storage, plus a forward portside double-wide multi-position ultralounge serving as additional seating and a full sunlounge. Between the double-wide helm chair and the starboard side lounge is a refreshment centre with available refrigerator.

Both upper and lower helms feature hand-wrapped dash and tilt steering wheels and a Garmin 22-inch programmable touchscreen as well as joystick control with steering, cruise control, and autopilot. The lower helm has an adjustable double-wide chair with forward flip-up bolster as well as full-height opening side windows, a Garmin VHF radio, and a Fusion Apollo RA770 that Regal claims to be “the world’s first touchscreen marine stereo with Apple AirPlay 2 and built-in WiFi.” It includes advanced SiriusXM features and much more.

Additional notable standard features include resin infusion vacuum bagged hull construction, diesel generator, anchor windlass within a level foredeck with lots of storage and a washdown, hull bottom paint, blue LED underwater lighting, remote spotlight, windshield privacy cover, transom shower, battery charger, and trim tabs.

Aside from those already noted, most additional options involve choice of hullside colours, or interior fabric or flooring or furniture materials or colours. You may also choose an aft cabin privacy door, transom seat covers, an IsinGlass or Palm Beach cockpit enclosure, large multi-position foredeck sunpad with Cabana sunshade, flybridge teak table, satellite TV and/or tuner, dual Garmin 16-inch displays at both upper and lower helms, Garmin High Definition radar, and a central vacuum system.

Regal’s all new 42 FXO, the flybridge version of one of its most popular sport yachts, adds a whole new experience to pleasure boating most worthy of your consideration.

2021 Regal 42 FXO Photo Gallery

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