Boat Test: 2026 Regulator 28

Overview

Regulator has updated its 28 a couple of times over the years, but this latest iteration may be the best one yet with a long list of upgrades.

Engines

The Regulator 28 is now available with twin 350 hp, V-6 Yamaha outboards, a higher rating than similar boats, most of which are rated for 600 hp. I was anxious to see how much of a difference that additional power would make. The boat jumped on plane in about 4 seconds. You could definitely feel the additional torque from the 350s in the hole shot, but where it really shined was in the mid-range power. When giving the boat some juice at 4,000 rpm, it jumped ahead and felt plenty sporty. You won’t have to worry about zipping around a slower boat. The 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. During hard-over turns at cruise I could’ve reached out and touched the water.

Regulator now installs the Seakeeper Ride vessel attitude control system as standard equipment. The boat rode fine without Ride engaged, but leaving it on means you don’t need to make adjustments when passengers move from one side to the other, or when changing course relative to sea conditions. Ride does the work for you. The boat never shakes or vibrates and feels solid underfoot.

Interior and Accessories

The Regulator 28 offers plenty of fishing amenities, but does not neglect the needs of families. The boat comfortably carries 10 crewmembers with ample bow seating, a double insulated cooler seat forward of the console, two helm chairs and an aft fold-down bench. The aft cockpit is a bit tight, but there’s plenty of room for a couple of anglers. 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 leaning post houses a slide-out cooler, four rod holders and tackle storage with a drawer and slots for four trays.

A starboard tuna door provides easy access into the boat from the bracket’s platform and there’s a 25-gallon livewell in the transom. Regulator’s renowned detail is visible 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 an engine flush and oversized bilge access with bucket inserts.

Introduced on the Regulator 35 last year, the patent-pending air-vent system creates a ton of air flow to the helm without impeding visibility. The vent opens from underneath the hardtop and flushes air through adjustable outlets on the electronics box or a small hatch in front of the captain that opens up electrically. The amount of air that flows through when trolling surprised me, and that is often when you need it most on sultry summer days.

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

The head inside the console is roomy for a 28. Regulator places the breaker 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 won’t slam shut on you.

The bow area is similar to prior Regulator 28 center-consoles, with tons of 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 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 25

Shopping? Everglades 285 CC ($370,350 with Yamaha 300s) offers the common integral engine bracket, aka “Euro-transom.” It is available with either Mercury or Yamaha outboards to 600 hp total. Seakeeper Ride, a Regulator standard, is a $16,465 option, but a hullside dive door, unavailable aboard the Regulator, is standard.

Regulator also 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 in a blink. If you’re a hardcore bait angler, it’s worth the investment.

With its 9-foot-5-inch beam, many owners will trailer the Regulator 28, No matter whether you tow it, dock it, or store it on a lift, the Regulator 28 will perform well for the long haul

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha F350
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/SWS II 15″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1Fuel Load: 115 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• New higher-power rating delivers superior midrange handling, as well as increased speed and acceleration. 
• Standard Seakeeper Ride system.
• Bow cockpit is bigger and more open than that aboard competitors’ boats. 

Low Points

• Competitors offer buyers more than one outboard brand as choices for powering their boat. 
• There is no hullside dive door, as aboard competitors’ boats.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation