Regulator 28

Regulator aficionados already know the 28 center console. It has been a popular model that checks a ton of boxes when it comes to nearshore and offshore fishing. Regulator has updated the 28 a couple of times over the years, but the latest iteration is hands-down the best one yet with a long list of upgrades.

The Regulator 28 is now available with twin 350 hp Yamaha V-6 outboards, as opposed to 300s. I was anxious to see how much of a difference that additional power would make. After idling through John’s Pass in Madeira Beach, Florida, the boat jumped on plane in about four seconds. You could definitely feel the additional torque from the 350s out of the hole, but where these twins really shined was in the mid-range power. When giving the boat some juice at a 4,000 rpm cruise speed, it jumped ahead and felt plenty sporty. You won’t have to worry about zipping around a slower boat. This boat topped out just shy of 61 mph.

The Regulator 28 is what I would call a sticky boat. The hull doesn’t ever feel like it’s going to slide out in a turn or slap on the chop. I made a hard-over turn at cruise and the boat responded with a tight, banking turn, as if on rails. 

Regulator now installs the Seakeeper Ride vessel attitude control system on all of its hulls as standard equipment. While the 28 already possesses a smooth-riding hull, the Seakeeper Ride makes a difference on the 28, keeping the deep-V hull on an even keel while underway, no matter how gear and crew are positioned. It also takes all the guesswork out of trimming the boat so it always runs smooth and efficiently, whether facing a head sea or running with a following sea. Ride does the work for you. The boat never shook or vibrated, and felt eminently solid underfoot. 

You’ll find plenty of fishing amenities, as well as creature comforts to meet the needs and desires of non-anglers. The boat can comfortably carry 10 people with ample bow seating, a double insulated cooler seat forward of the console, two helm chairs and a fold-down transom bench. The cockpit is compact, but there’s plenty of room for a couple of anglers and the side decks are nice and wide, so it’s easy enough to run a fish up to the bow if you need to chase it down. The upgraded leaning post houses a slide-out cooler, four rod holders and tackle storage with a drawer and slots for four trays.   

Like all Regulator boats, the 28 has a true transom with the outboards set on a bracket, creating room for a swimstep. A starboard tuna door provides easy access into the boat and there’s a 25-gallon livewell in the transom. Regulator is known for its attention to detail and you see it in all the hardware and hatches. Everything closes quietly and you don’t feel a difference when walking over a hatch versus the deck. There’s also a cockpit engine flush and oversized bilge access with bucket inserts.

This boat reflects several design elements from Regulator’s larger models. One that really stood out to me is the air-vent system at the helm. Introduced on the 35 last year, this patent-pending vent creates abundant air flow to the helm without impeding visibility. The windshield remains fully intact. The vent opens via the push of a button from underneath the hardtop and ushers air through adjustable vents on the electronics box or a small hatch in front of the operator that opens up electrically. The amount of air that flows through when you are barely moving is surprising, and that’s when you need it most on those sticky-hot summer days. 

The helm is both comfy and functionable with ladder-back captain’s chairs and easy access to switches and the flush-mounted 16-inch Garmin MFDs. Phone chargers and cupholders abound. The boat feels well-balanced underway and sightlines are clear. Regulator built in channels on either side of the hardtop that act as fingerholds but also route water to the corners, so you don’t get the waterfall effect from morning dew when you hammer the throttles. 

The head inside the console is roomy for a 28. Regulator places the switch panel in the console, and you can also access the wiring and backside of the electronics. Every single wire is individually labeled throughout the boat, which is a thing of beauty. The starboard door to the console cabin is on a friction hinge, so it is not likely to slam shut on your fingers. The bow area is similar to prior Regulator 28 center consoles, with generous storage and seating. The 456-quart in-deck storage box doubles as lockable rod storage, and you can drop the hatch to close it and it barely makes any noise. All storage bins are insulated, illuminated and drain overboard, while the ones in the floor are macerated. You can put a lot of fish on this boat with no worries—the Regulator 28 has nearly 1,250 quarts of fish storage space. Regulator now uses magnets in its cushions, so no more wrestling with awkward snaps. The gunwales widen up in the bow making it easier to step up to the foredeck, and there’s a toe kick for a bit of added security when tossing lines or a cast net. 

Read Next: Regulator 35

Regulator offers a military-grade bronze sea chest as an option that automatically flushes itself every hour. It may be a bit overkill for the 28, but it’s virtually maintenance free and will fill the livewell, keep it circulating and pamper your pilchards without worry. If you’re a hardcore live-bait angler, it’s worth the investment.

While the 28 is plenty big for long runs, it’s also trailerable with a 9-foot, 5-inch beam. Regulator offers options so owners can outfit their new toy to suit their needs. No matter how you rig the Regulator 28, it’s going to perform well in the long haul. 

Specifications

Regulator Marine – Edenton, North Carolina; regulatormarine.com