Fun, fast and luxurious, this express is ready for excitement.

At the turn of its 37th year of producing a long line of sportboats, sport cruisers and yachts ranging from 19 to 44 feet, Orlando, Florida-based, Regal Boats offers the 2007 3060 Window Express, a sporty, comfortable and fast express that's more than ready to offer relaxing moments on the water. While "window express" may be a unique name to label a model, the term couldn't be further from the truth. The size and number of windows not only provide ample light to the cabin, but they create a slick, and sporty profile that makes her stand out on the water. Lets take a closer look.

EXTERIOR
The bank of windows that gives this model its name extend across the 3060, approximately midway between the helm and bow pulpit. An aerodynamic, swept-back black accent, forward-facing windows and sleek windows port and starboard all contribute to the 3060's stylish profile. They also provide plenty of daylight for the main salon and galley, which is something express cruisers often need. Plus, your eyes don’t need to adjust to cavern darkness when you go below.

At the bow, the anchor roller, chain guard plate and scuff plate are stainless steel. The space to handle the anchor is recessed and the integrated rode locker has deck access. There's also a sunpad that fits neatly ahead of the forward windows, while a high, sturdy, safety rail extends to the radar arch. Access to the foredeck is via a windscreen and built-in steps.

COCKPIT
The windscreen at the helm extends all the way to the base of the swept back radar arch. When the bimini is opened and tucked neatly in place against the arch, the 3060 looks ready to go – fast. Driver's will appreciate the single bucket seat featuring a semi bolster while to port, is a generous C-shaped seat that wraps around the cockpit table, providing comfort for guests and company for the driver. The driver's seat also swivels to face the table and a filler cushion converts the entire seat to sleeping accommodations for extra guests. On the port side of the dash is a large chart table.

Further aft is a sink with storage below. The model we saw at Crate’s Lake Country Boats at the Atherley Narrows in Ontario had a bar fridge under the sink. The bench seat at the transom easily lifts up and out of the way when it’s not in use. To starboard is a transom door, providing easy access to the integrated swim platform. To port is another thoughtful feature. There are built-in steps making it easy to get over the transom and into the aft section when you’re tied up on the port side.

CABIN
Stepping below, the natural provided by all the windows is the first thing you notice. It makes the salon seem much larger than you might expect in a 30-foot express. When you look more closely, you realize the size is more than just a trick with light and mirrors. There's more room down here. While it's common to see a V-berth forward, Regal has placed a large dinette, which extends from the bow, all the way back to the head on the starboard side and to the galley to port. At the flip of a switch the table drops down to bench level and a filler cushion converts it to a queen-size bed.

The galley has many amenities including cherry wood laminate cabinets, a Corian countertop, microwave, refrigerator, deep stainless steel sink, two burner stove and lots of storage. The head has a full-length mirror, along with a stand up shower stall with curtain and sump pump. The toilet is vacu-flush with a 28-gallon holding tank.

The mid-cabin is large and comfortable enough to be a master stateroom. It has an innerspring mattress, a private stand-up dressing area, lighted cedar lined hanging locker and more storage space.

PERFORMANCE
Our test boat was powered by twin Volvo Penta 5.0 L GXi engines. Settling into the helm seat, the backlit, fog-free Faria gauges provided all the information I needed, and I liked the placement of the rocker switches. Rather than being across the lower part of the dash, they were placed on the starboard side for greater visibility and access.

The 3060 has excellent visibility all around. When the Volvos fired up, she just purred. This is a well-behaved boat around the dock and easy to handle. It holds a straight line backwards or forwards and when we got out of the Narrows, she just let loose on a dime.

From dead stop, with a half-a-tank of fuel, empty holding and water tanks, and two people on board, the 3060 popped up out of the water in less than five seconds. At wide open throttle, she hit 49 mph at 4,800 rpm. When the engines are worked in, this will definitely be a 50-mph boat. Company specs say she’ll cruise at 3,000 rpm at 21 to 24 mph. But on the relatively calm water we discovered she held on plane all the way down to 15 mph. Its firm in sharp turns and takes her own wake comfortably.

The Regal FasTrac hull is fast and fuel efficient. Company specs also reveal it will sip fuel cruising at a rate of approximately 15 gph. The patented hull design has a full beam step amidships, creating a cushion of air for the hull to ride on, reducing the wetted surface area and cutting drag.

Specifications
LOA: 30'10"/9.4 m
Beam: 10'6"/3.2 m
Draft: (drive down) 38"/.96 m
Approx. Weight: 10,500 lbs./4762.7 kg
Fuel Capacity: 151 gal./571 L
Maximum Horsepower: Twin Volvo Penta 320 hp 5.7L GXi DP
Power as tested: Twin Volvo Penta 5.0 L GXi engines
Base Price: $159,068 w/Twin
Volvo Penta 5.0 L GXi w/SX drives

Price Supplied by Regal Marine Industries
Orlando, Florida (407) 851-4360 www.regalboats.com (Page Top)