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 a 300-nautical-mile range, extending cruising territory beyond most sterndrive competitors
Our Take
The 38 Grande Coupe is one of the better-executed boats in Regal's lineup. Regal's hull delivers predictable handling without the harsh ride you get from some domestic builders chasing speed numbers. Joystick control is standard, not an upcharge, which tells you Regal understands who's buying this boat. The infusion-molded construction keeps weight down and strength up. It's not hand-laid European composite work, but it's a step above production layup methods. The Volvo package is proven. Parts are available. Service is straightforward.
This boat is for the owner who plans to use it 15 to 25 weekends per season and doesn't want to hire a captain. It's not for the buyer who wants to impress at the yacht club or run offshore in six-foot seas. The 38 Grande Coupe is a coastal cruiser with enough range to island-hop and enough comfort to stay aboard for a long weekend. If you're stepping up from a 30-foot cruiser or downsizing from a 42-footer you never used, this is the right size. If you're buying your first boat over 35 feet, spend time learning the systems before you take it out for a week.
Resale has been steady in the 38 Grande Coupe segment. Regal doesn't command Sea Ray pricing, but it also doesn't take the depreciation hit of some domestic brands. Maintenance costs are manageable if you stay on top of the generator, air conditioning, and sterndrive service intervals. The diesel option adds upfront cost but reduces long-term fuel and maintenance expense. If you plan to keep the boat for five years or more, the diesel math works. If you're trading in three, stick with gas..
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.