Fast And Fashionable
Regal's newest flagship of the FasDeck line takes a practical design to finishing school, and the results are looking good.
by Alan Jones
To some boaters, deck boats are the four-door, soccer-mom-mobiles of the boating world. “Roomy” and
“versatile” are the words most often used to describe them, but with its 2520 FasDeck, Regal wants
to add a few more descriptions to the deck-boat lexicon, such as “sleek,” “sporty,” and yes, that
other “S” word: “sexy.” So, how does the company intend to do that? For new styling ideas, Regal
designers worked with the Italian firm GM Yacht Design and combined sharp angles with gentle curves
to produce an eye-catching look. A key design element is the windshield profile, which accentuates
the swoop-down silhouette of the entire boat as you go sternward by slowly shortening the frame,
but leaving the rear panel in a state of glasslessness for better ventilation. This profile
compliments the optional, folding 2-inch aluminum tube wakesport tower, which comes at a reasonable
$2,615 add-on cost. Although Italian boat designers sometimes put form before function — like a
cool Frank Lloyd Wright house with a leak-prone roof — Regal hasn’t sacrificed anything in the name
of style.
There’s something of a retro-look that’s reminiscent of the cathedral style hulls of the
past. However, this deck boat features another variation of the successful FasTrac hull, whose
vented design has been unsticking Regal hulls from the water for a decade by introducing air under
the hull for less drag and better performance. And like Regal bowriders, the handling of the 2520
FasDeck is nimble. Ventilation in turns is practically non-existent, and it even continues to carve
a tight arc with the sport wheel turned all the way. It’s smooth over the bay chop, thanks to the
deep-V, 21-degree deadrise hull.
Even with a modest 320-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi with dual prop DPS outdrive, the FasTrac
hull helps the 2520 achieve outstanding performance. In tests, it gets on plane in less than four
seconds and reaches 30 mph in around seven ticks of the stopwatch. Although you’d never mistake its
wake for a tournament ski boat’s, at slalom speeds it’s small enough to avoid impeding aggressive
cutting, while at slower wakeboard speeds, you can kick up enough wake to launch recreational ’b
oarders for a satisfying “splat” upon missed landings. Top speed for the 4,650-pound hull is 48.1
mph, which is all you need for a deck boat. For those who want to top the 50-mph mark, you can
spend $4,770 more for the Volvo Penta 8.1L Gi, which puts out 370 hp.
Or, you could go the other way and “save” $5,147 by getting the entry-level 270-hp, 5.0L
Volvo Penta GXi engine — but if you opt for the 270, you’ll regret not having the extra ponies the
first time you try to get your ex-football-lineman buddy up on skis. Do-it-yourself routine
maintenance owners will love the amount of room in the manual-lift engine
compartment.
The driver may have the best spot on the boat with a sculpted bucket seat, which hugs the
driver with side bolsters that don’t require you to be able to squeeze into size 34 pants for a
comfortable fit. The high-rise, flip-up cushion is wide enough for extra comfort, and when in the
upright position, it creates room for the driver to stand. The gauge layout doesn’t succumb to the “
fancy play syndrome” and keeps it simple-but-functional with white-faced Faria analog gauges that
are easy to read. A small, optional compass can be had for a reasonable $77, and accessory rocker
switches are placed for convenience, but are high enough so an errant knee doesn’t accidentally
activate them.
Several options help make the 2520 even more attractive, such as a range of hull colors and
the synthetic Flexiteek trim for the swim platform ($808), and a hatch covering the swim ladder,
which helps preserve the clean look and eliminates toe-stubbing obstructions. There’s an extended
swim platform you can also get “Flexiteeked” for $762, and you should also get the bow and transom
shower option ($538). A must-have option is the teak cockpit table that cleverly mounts without the
use of the standard vertical pole or the ugly deck receptacle. Another table mount up front gives
you additional versatility. There’s an option for a cockpit entertainment system with a faucet and
sink ($1,038), which expands your entertainment options. The stern section of the cockpit’s
L-lounge has a flippable seatback that converts to a rearward-facing lounge seat — perfect for
hanging out at anchor. On the portside is another reversible backrest, creating a lounger that
would be the right vantage point for watching skiers or conversing with other guests. The large
portside console contains the head compartment and can be used by normal-sized folks.
In the bowrider section is a pair of roomy recliners with loads of legroom, although some
picky boaters would enjoy just a skosh more seatback angle for the ultimate in La-Z-Boy reclining
comfort. Access to storage is available by flipping up the bowrider recliner seatbacks and by
lifting up the seat bottom long-ways, which is unusual but user-friendly storage, thanks to the gas
strut. A bow boarding ladder means you can perform a dry beach landing.
The price with the 5.7L GXi starts at $61,760, which places the 2520 FasDeck toward the
upper end, but is still priced thousands less than the most expensive boats in its class. If you
start eliminating boats that don’t ride as well, aren’t as stylish, and don’t have the
functionality, the herd of competition for the 2520 starts getting mighty thin.
The Verdict
Regal’M
M M M M s 2520 FasDeck is a sporty deck boat layered with design elements. For example, the
windshield profile is a noteworthy feature that enhances the entire boat’s silhouette. As for
handling, the 2520 is nimble, and its deep-V, 21-degree deadrise hull gives boaters a smooth ride
over chop. When it comes to family perks, who can do without the teak cockpit table that mounts
without even using the standard vertical pole?
Regal 2520 FasDeck
LOA 25'3"
Beam 8'6"
Weight 4,850 lbs.
Fuel 62 gal.
Top Speed 48.1 mph (w/320-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi DP)
Time To Plane 3.7 seconds
0-30 mph 7.1 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 60 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 81 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 95 dB-A
Base Price $56,613 (w/270-hp, 5.0L Volvo Penta GXi DP)
Price As Tested $71,300 (w/320-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi DP)
Regal Marine, 2300 Jetport Drive, Orlando, FL 32809, (800) US-REGAL,
www.regalboats.com
