Boat Test: 2023 Regulator 30XO

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Overview

The Regulator 30XO is a hybrid of sorts, for fishing both inshore and offshore. It’s overbuilt, with a noteworthy fit-and-finish and an abundance of seating.

Interior and Accessories

With its 30-foot-7-inch length and 10-foot-2-inch beam, the 30XO offers a large working platform for casting, trolling, jigging—you name it. The forward and aft raised-deck fishing platforms on the 30XO work perfectly for plugging for stripers, hitting the inshore wrecks or working the edges of flats. The 30XO also proves a home run for family fun at the sandbar. The standard features list is greater than the options list, and that says a lot about the forethought that went into this boat.

The forward deck has a molded anchor locker with a lid on the gunwale deck. My test boat had the optional 96-inch trolling motor with GPS autopilot, dedicated batteries and a 15-amp charger. Drop down to the casting platform with integral U-shaped seating with port and starboard flip-up backrest seating, and you’ll find a 187-quart storage bin on the centerline under the seat. A recessed handrail around the forward platform and an in-deck 294-quart insulated and macerated fish box finish up the forward end the boat.

The console features a forward seat lounge with plush seating, folding armrests and handholds, and a 218-quart storage bin under the lounge. My test boat had the optional half-tower with a second station, including full controls, a Garmin display, a helm seat and cup holders. This fully molded top is integral with the composite windshield supports, a clean and unobtrusive way to blend the three-sided glass ventilated windscreen with a windshield wiper.

The console’s interior compartment, accessed on the starboard side, has a full stand-up head, a holding tank and a pump-out. Large upper and lower opening door panels access the back of the helm. The 30XO has an ergonomically appointed main helm and dash. To port of the helm is an optional inductive cellphone charger and a trim-tab control switch. Slightly offset to port is an optional jack-plate control, with a binnacle to starboard. Outside that is a glove-box compartment with a light.

The dash also features a flush-mounted electronics face with two 16-inch Garmin 8616xsv wide-screen multifunction displays with GPS and sonar, with an Airmar B150 transducer, Garmin VHF and remote mic. Regulator also has a proprietary user interface called MyHelm offering easy-to-use functions on the touchscreen.

Not to be trapped by controlling everything with the onscreen functions, there are also lighted buttons to manually operate the horn, bilge pumps, lights and wiper when using the screens for navigating and fish-finding. There’s also a key fob for controlling the Power-Poles, jack plate, spreader lights, light bar and deck lights. The Yamaha gauge panel is over the helm, and the optional ­Yamaha Helm Master EX joystick control is starboard of the helm.

Two plush helm seats with fold-up bolsters and armrests grace the leaning post/tackle center. The T-top’s aft legs tie into the leaning post and offer 10 rod holders. On the starboard side of the leaning post is a pullout storage drawer and a pullout waste basket underneath. Three good-size drawers for more gear and tackle are on the port side. The back side of the leaning post has three rows of drawers and a Corian top. The top drawer has two open storage drawers and a center drop-down with a freshwater coil hose. The second row has two drawers that each hold six 3700-size ­tackle-organizer ­boxes, which are included. The bottom drawer is full-width and features a custom-made removable cutting board. The console/leaning post of the Solace 30 HCS hybrid ($445,000 suggested retail price) has similar appointments, with the same tilt toward utilizing technology where possible for the end user, along with integral windshield frames molded into the hardtop with an optional upper station. Unlike the Regulator, the Solace 30 HCS features a double stepped hull.

The 30XO aft deck exudes versatility with three flip-up seats. There’s also a 29-gallon livewell in the starboard transom corner, and another 29-gallon storage compartment that can be an optional livewell in the port corner. Lift up the center seat to access the bilge. I found the bilge neatly finished, and I could easily reach all components for ­maintenance.

Engines

Our test boat’s twin Yamaha F300 four-stroke engines featured power-trim jack plates. The 30XO performs well, and I found it incredibly stable while walking around its gunwales. I tested it with two people aboard and a half-load of fuel, and it easily came on plane, tracked well, turned smoothly with no sliding, and handled the boat wakes I encountered with ease. I tested the 30XO with no jack-plate trim and no tab at first. I found a sweet spot at 3,500 rpm, making 32.5 mph, burning 17.4 gph, and giving 1.87 mpg. At wide-open throttle, the boat hit 56.6 mph, burning 53.9 mph for 1.05 mpg.

Read Next: Regulator 31

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 300 hp Yamaha F300
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Saltwater Series II 15″ x 20″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 102 gal. Water on Board: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.

High Points

• Excellent fit-and-finish, with quality components and precise execution.
• Blending high-tech features, such as the proprietary MyHelm, makes it convenient for users to interface with the boat through a key fob or onscreen.
• Abundance of fishing features, with numerous comforts and conveniences. 
• The 30XO is a desirable multipurpose platform. 

Low Points

• Access to the optional upper station is a bit tough, using a molded step under the helm on the centerline of the console to ascend, followed by a large step up to the platform over the console dash. Finding the step under the helm on the way down proved awkward. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

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Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/2023-regulator-30xo-boat-test/