Regal Window Express 3360

I was looking forward to my test day with the Regal Window Express 3360 after seeing the photos. Finally, somebody has added some cabin windows to an express cruiser!

Express cruisers are popular because they are good-looking, cost-effective and provide a lot of accommodation, but I’m a traditional guy and I like to see some windows in the cabin. It’s summer and I’m out on the boat for heaven’s sake! I want sunlight. Styling is always subjective but for my taste, Regal has done a brilliant job of making this boat both handsome and distinctive.

On my test day, we got brisk winds and that nasty in-shore chop along the shallow shores of Lake Ontario near Port Credit. To be fair to the boat, we’re going to publish the factory’s performance figures, but we gave it a good run!

We got up over 30 miles an hour before throttling back to avoid going airborne. The ride was impressive considering the punishing conditions. The Regal was particularly responsive to the helm, enabling us to zigzag a course through the worst of it. The boat was very fast to plane off and kept its bow down when we had to throttle back and really plow through heavy water. Overall I’d say that Regal’s Window Express 3360 has the performance to live up to its great looks.

Let’s start with the helm because that was certainly important on test day. Regal provides a spacious double wide helm seat that slides and has a flip-up bolster. There is tilt steering and an angled foot rest which is appreciated. The lovely steering wheel has stereo controls in the center hub. Our test boat was equipped with a Raymarine C80 system and VHF combination. The Bennett trim tabs lacked indicators however, something I would want on my own boat.

An appealing feature that is standard is the swivel helm seat and removable table. This converts the helm into an important part of the living and dining space when moored. The bridge layout features an L-shaped companion seat that has a flip backrest; face forward when cruising, or face aft to create a spacious cockpit dining area with a teak table.

Also the aft seat folds down delivering a great expanse of cockpit floor if you prefer that. Facilitating this, Regal went to an innovative electrically operated engine hatch that opens from the outside swim platform. It delivers great engine access. My only concern would be if you had to access the engine bay out in open water on a rough day.

The cockpit area has a refreshment center down the starboard side with Isotherm refrigerator, sink and storage. The battery controls are nearby in the passageway.

A transom gate leads to a spacious swim platform that features a transom shower, recessed cleats, storage and a port side locker for your shore power cables and TV connections. The only feature I question is the latched cover over the boarding ladder. I always feel boarding ladders should be easily accessible from the water in case a person falls overboard.

We appreciate the small side decks that are useful when docking, but remember that the windshield and cabin trunk are low and therefore don’t offer great locations for hand holds.

To go forward, it’s much safer to use the steps and swing-open center section of the windshield. Regal includes an anchor locker, windlass and there’s a handsome optional sun cushion for the deck.

Understandably, we were anxious to see what Regal had done with the cabin space especially considering the distinctive window treatment. Well, it is unusually bright and we really like that. It is three easy steps down and our test boat had handsome teak and holly flooring. Straight ahead was a large, gloss finished folding table on the starboard side and with the built-in sofa, you can probably feed four in comfort.

Regal has wisely left the interior open except for the enclosed head. This struck us as spacious and nicely appointed with side windows, a big medicine cabinet with a mirror suitable for shaving, a good expanse of counter space and a VacuFlush toilet. The mirrored door is a good feature and Regal has thoughtfully provided both an opening porthole and an air conditioning outlet.

The forward vee area is open and the queen berth is angled resulting in almost a regular rectangular shape. This area features two side lockers, three drawers and also a comfortable seat for dressing. The forward glass areas and side glass really open this up in daytimes; very bright.

In the newest cruiser designs, the cockpit refreshment centers are getting so good that I question the value of putting a galley into the cabin. Perhaps future designs will eliminate the cabin galley, but you still get one in the Regal 3360. It’s equipped with a large stainless-steel sink, two-burner stove top with cover that stows very neatly. There is a microwave and another Isotherm refrigerator. Showing clever space utilization, Regal includes a huge under floor locker where you could stow a week’s worth of canned goods and bottles.

Last, but by no means least, there is a mid-cabin with two portholes, a large sleeping surface which converts into a conversation pit; the good-sized flat screen television is located on the bulkhead.

Our test boat had full canvas as well, delivering family-sized, enclosed accommodations for cruising. This 33 footer [34′ 8″ overall] is a great size of boat, delivering comfortable accommodation, reasonable fuel economy with its twin 300 hp V8 stern drives and a turn of speed that could embarrass a lot of sport boats.

If it was my money, the Regal Window Express 3360 would be high on my list.

Performance

Test boat engines: Twin Volvo Penta 5.7 Gi DPS sterndrives, 5.7 L / 350 ci electronically fuel injected V8 gasoline engines, 300 hp each, Duoprop drives.

Engine (RPM) Speed (MPH)

Idle 3.8

1000 5.9

1500 7.9

2000 9.1

2500 13.2

3000 21.5

3500 30.0*

4000 35.7

4500 40.2

5000 46.8

* Cruising Speed