2001 Regal 2660 Commodore

By: Mike Burns

Half the fun of boating is spending time on the water and at the dock with family and friends. Getting into boating can be an exciting adventure, but many factors have to be taken into account, such as the size of the boat, where you plan on using the boat and, of course, budget. We recently took a look at a Regal 2660 Commodore. Not only a great starter boat for a family, it also has the added capability of being towed behind a personal vehicle.

The 2660 was one of Regal’s more popular sport cruiser models when it was introduced back in 1990.The model later changed to the 2675 Commodore with one notable feature remaining – a relatively narrow beam of 8 feet, 6 inches. With a LOA of just under 30 feet, this model was the largest trailerable boat (with a personal vehicle) that Regal manufactured at the time.

Back aft, you’ll find a large swim platform, which is a great feature – especially on a boat this size. Along the transom there is handy storage racks for a couple of fenders, while the large storage locker is a great place to store dock lines and other gear.

A transom door leads to the cockpit area, which features a removable rear bench seat. To port, there is a spacious passenger seat with reversible backrest and a comfortable rear-facing lounge. To starboard, the operator enjoys the comfort of a swivel bucket helm seat that is well positioned in front of the functional dash. The gauges are well laid out and there is enough room on the dash to mount other electronics, such as a chart plotter and depth sounder.

Lacking side decks, moulded steps next to the helm lead to a walk-thru windshield that provides easy access to the foredeck, where you will find a comfortable sun pad – a great place for your guests (or, in my case, the kids) to lounge.

Down below, the floor plan will comfortably sleep four adults – two in the mid cabin and two more in the convertible dinette up forward. While the cabin can’t exactly be described as overly spacious, it does feature a compact head with VacuFlush toilet and a functional galley, complete with alcohol/electric stove, dual-voltage refrigerator and built-in microwave. Ventilation in this cabin is adequate. However, for those who prefer some creature comforts, our test boat was fitted with reverse cycle heat and air conditioning.

Available in single and twin I/O configurations, our test boat was rigged with a pair of Volvo Penta 4.3L GXi I/Os that produce 205 hp each and are rigged to Volvo’s SX drives that are spinning 14 3⁄4 " x 21" Viper props.

Advancing the throttle, the acceleration was very solid and we were up on plane in a respectable 4.9 seconds. With what seemed like little effort, we settled into a very comfortable cruising speed of 25.7 mph at 3000 rpm.

Another unique feature about the 2660 Commodore is the fact that it sports a unique notched or “stepped” hull, which was originally designed for high-performance racing boats. When a conventional hull runs through smooth waters, a significant amount of friction can be created and the water becomes “sticky” (for a lack of a better term) – this can affect top-end performance. The theory behind a stepped hull is that it creates turbulence and bubbles. These bubbles then run along the surface of the hull, thus reducing friction and increasing performance. There are cautions with stepped hulls, however. Aggressive turning at high speeds can cause the stern to break free or “hook” around. Also, when at the launch ramp, you’ll have to be in deep enough water for the hull to float free, as some roller trailers may get caught up on the notch. As with any boat, you have to get to know about its iosyncrasies.

Unfortunately, choppy conditions on the day of our sea trial did not allow us to do a top end speed run. However, at wide open throttle, I’d expect this model to reach speeds in excess of 45 mph. In the choppy conditions we experienced, the 2660, as expected, handled very nimbly and delivered an exhilarating sport boat feel. If you’re looking for an entry-level family cruiser that offers sporty performance and also has the capability of  being towed from lake to lake, then you should definitely check out the Regal 2660 Commodore. As with most boats, there is a give and take aspect with design features. The relatively narrow beam of this model does allow it to be easily trailed and it also offers exhilarating performance. The flip side of this, however, is the interior layout may not be as spacious as that of some other models in this size range. That being said, you’ll still have plenty of creature comforts and amenities for comfortable overnight outings with your family.

POWER / PERFORMANCE
TEST BOAT ENGINE: Twin Volvo
Penta 4.3L GXi (262 ci), 205 hp, V6
gasoline engines.
TOP SPEED (ESTIMATED):
4600 rpm / 45 mph
CRUISING SPEED:
3000 rpm / 25.7 mph