April 3, 2026
Regal 38 Grande Coupe: The Weekender That Doesn't Compromise
The Regal 38 Grande Coupe is a true weekender that doesn't compromise: single-level cockpit-to-salon integration, convertible hardtop, two f…
Read the articleRegal 38 Grande Coupe
Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 38' 1" |
| Beam | 11' 11" |
| Draft | 24" (drives up) / 35" (drives down) |
| Displacement | 21,200 lbs |
| Engines | Twin Volvo Penta V8-380 or V8-430 sterndrive (760–860 hp); twin Volvo Penta D4-300 diesel optional (600 hp) |
| Fuel Capacity | 260 US gallons |
| Water Capacity | 55 US gallons |
| Cabins / Heads | 2 cabins (forward California Queen, aft King convertible to twins); 1 head with separate walk-in shower |
| Max Speed | 48.0 mph @ 6,110 RPM (twin Volvo Penta V8-430) |
| Cruise Speed | 30.6 mph @ 4,500 RPM (best economy, twin Volvo Penta V8-430) |
Source: Spec & Photos courtesy of Regal. Specs verified by Tony Smith, USCG 100 Ton Master, on August 11, 2026.
Part of the Regal Grande Coupe series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- Single-level cockpit-to-salon integration with power window and sliding glass doors eliminates the typical express cruiser disconnect between indoor and outdoor spaces
- Split head design with separate walk-in shower and full standing height solves the biggest layout compromise in the 38-foot class
- 260-gallon fuel capacity with the optional D4-300 diesel delivers roughly 346 statute miles of range, extending cruising territory beyond most sterndrive competitors
Our Take
The 38 Grande Coupe represents Regal's clearest thinking in the express cruiser segment. The infusion-built hull is legitimately lighter and stronger than comparable hand-laid construction, and the FasTrac design delivers a ride that balances performance with comfort. The V8-430 option gives you 48 mph when you need it, but the real story is the 30.6 mph cruise speed that makes weekend trips to the islands financially sustainable. The single-level cockpit sole is not a gimmick. It fundamentally changes how you use the boat.
This boat is for the experienced owner-operator who understands that a 38-footer with twin gas engines requires active management. You will check fluid levels, monitor systems, and stay on top of routine maintenance. If you want a boat you can ignore for six months and fire up without consequence, buy something else. The 38 Grande Coupe rewards owners who use it regularly and maintain it properly. The layout works for couples and families, but it does not work for people who expect a yacht to function like a car.
Resale data shows Regal holding value better than Cruisers or Chaparral in this size range, but not quite matching Sea Ray's brand recognition. The 38 Grande Coupe typically depreciates 30 to 35 percent in the first three years, then stabilizes if the boat is well-maintained and documented. Buyers in the pre-owned market prioritize service records and engine hours over cosmetic upgrades. If you plan to keep the boat for five to seven years and use it 40 to 60 days per season, the depreciation curve works in your favor. If you plan to flip it in two years, you will lose money..
Watch Our Regal 38 Grande Coupe Reviews
Official Regal Premiere: Inside the Regal 38 Grande Coupe
Video courtesy of Regal.
Regal 38 Grande Coupe Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Regal.
Regal 38 Grande Coupe Articles & Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the Regal 38 Grande Coupe?
On twin Volvo Penta V8-430 sterndrives, Regal's performance test report records 48.0 mph at 6,110 RPM, with best economy at 30.6 mph at 4,500 RPM burning 30 gallons an hour. The twin V8-380 package reaches 45.5 mph. The twin D4-300 diesel package tops out at 39.6 mph, trading speed for a great deal more range.
What is the draft of the Regal 38 Grande Coupe?
Twenty-four inches with the drives up and 35 inches with them down. That is the shallowest drives-up figure of any Regal reviewed on this site, shallower even than the smaller 36 Grande Coupe at 27 inches and the outboard-powered 38 XO at 26 inches.
What is the difference between the Regal 38 Grande Coupe and the 38 XO?
Power, and what that power costs you below deck. The Grande Coupe runs twin Volvo Penta sterndrives and carries 260 gallons; the XO hangs triple Yamaha outboards off the transom, carries 360 gallons in the space the engine room would have used, and reaches 53.4 mph against the Grande Coupe's 48.0. The Grande Coupe is quieter and drafts two inches less. The XO is faster, carries a hundred gallons more fuel, and puts engine service at the transom rather than under the sole.
Is the diesel option on the Regal 38 Grande Coupe worth it?
It depends on how long you keep the boat. Regal's own test sheets show the twin D4-300 diesels returning 1.48 miles per gallon at 31.0 mph against 1.02 for the gas V8-430s at a near-identical 30.6 mph. On the same 260-gallon tank that is roughly 346 statute miles instead of 239. You give up about eight miles an hour at the top end. If you plan to own the boat five years or more, the fuel and service maths works; if you are trading in three, take the gas engines. The 38 is the only Grande Coupe Regal offers with a diesel option.