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Regal Marine Industries has enjoyed a loyal following for more than 30 years. In particular, the company has captured a good share of the small-boat market with boats starting at 18 feet LOA. Chances are, if you peruse your local bays and inlets, you'll have an easy time spotting a small Regal jetting about.

As the years have passed, Regal has grown with its customers, adding boats in the 20- and 30-foot-plus range to its cruising line, models that have also been well-received. Because Regal so obviously has a finger on the pulse of its customers, I was curious to test the company's first entry into the over-40 market, the Commodore 4260.

It was the day before the Miami International Boat Show, and I met up with Byron Capo, Regal's marketing manager, at the Marriott Marina just as the sun was heading for its bed in the west. The day was still warm, but a little breeze was beginning to kick in, and I was hoping for a nice chop once we exited Government Cut and headed for the high seas. As Capo checked over some last-minute details, I took note of Regal's effective use of space on the bridge deck and cockpit.

The bridge-deck helm seat to starboard seats two comfortably, and its height can be adjusted electrically. (This feature would come in handy later to correct a sight-line issue.) The burl dash was both appealing to the eye and functional, housing an array of electronics. The gear, all from Raymarine, included an ST60 Tridata and 210 VHF, both standard. Our test boat also had an optional ST6000 autopilot and RL80C PathFinder radar/chartplotter.

One of the benefits of the express-cruiser layout is that it keeps the captain within earshot of guests. Regal does a good job of keeping everyone close with a C-shape lounge and cocktail table (standard) to port, directly across from the helm. Cupholders abound, and the drinks are likely to be cold thanks to the standard U-Line refrigerator and optional U-Line icemaker. Access to the foredeck sunpad is easy, thanks to the walk-through windshield. I prefer this method over walking the 4260's side decks, which have nonskid and adequate room for my size-101⁄2 foot, but are inherently more precarious than negotiating a big cabin top.

The lower cockpit is equally functional in its layout, with an aft-facing lounge to port and more cupholders. Such an arrangement still allows the helmsman and bridge deck guests to keep conversations going with the turn of a head. Feel like stretching out? The aft benchseat (that can double as a sunpad) is a stable platform for taking in the rays. And what's sunbathing without tunes? This cruiser is standard with a Kenwood AM/FM stereo/CD player and Bose speaker system. (The bottom end coming from the subwoofers alone might be enough to propel the 4260 along.)

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