Regal LS2 Review: Fast, All-Rounder Bowrider

Regal is a well-known builder with an excellent reputation dating all the way back in 1969, and it made our list of the top runabout boat brands as well as ranking among our choices for the best small boat brands. Models like the LS2 are a great example of why this builder regularly makes the grade: it delivers gobs of boating fun in an affordable, easy-to-handle bowrider package.

Fun at the helm on the Regal LS2. Regal photo. 

Regal LS2 Key Features

The LS2 is a traditionalist’s bowrider, powered by a stern drive tucked away under a motor box. There was a time when virtually all bowriders carried stern drives, but as outboard engine technology improved through the years many boaters made the switch. To this day, however, a stern-drive system holds one huge advantage over an outboard: it allows for a full-beam, uninterrupted swim platform on the stern. You simply can’t have that with an outboard on the transom. If activities like swimming at the beach, pulling the kids around on water toys, and wakeboarding are the sorts of things you enjoy, that big swim platform is an awesome feature.

Along with the platform, Regal adds a pair of rumble seats atop the transom, places stereo speakers in it, and adds a couple stainless-steel drink holders for good measure. Taken together these things make the back of the boat a key feature by turning it into an ideal social area.

Seating stands out as key on the LS2, as well. This model is only 22 feet long yet it’s rated to carry up to a dozen passengers, and if you include those rumble seats (which are for use only when the boat’s at rest) there are places for the entire crew to sit down. The cockpit has seating all the way across the stern and up both sides, and the bow cockpit enjoys U-shaped seating with room for the people on either side to stretch out and kick back.

Another key feature for people who want a lake boat (note that Regal made our Best Lake Boat Brands roundup, too!) is Regal’s PowerTower. This arch with a ski pylon at the top is powered, so at the press of a button you can lower it to get under bridges. Being able to lower the tower is also great for indoor storage or when putting the boat on a lift under a boathouse.

Regal LS2 underway. Regal photo.

Regal LS2 Performance

The Regal LS2 is currently available with Mercury and Volvo Penta powerplants up to 300-hp. With max power, a Volvo V8 SX 300 spinning a DuoProp outdrive, the boat cruises comfortably in the mid-30s and can hit a top-end of a few mph over 50. The most efficient cruise is at 3500 rpm and 30 mph, where the boat gets 3.8 mpg.

Smaller options such as the Volvo 240 G5 and the MerCruiser 4.5 250 produce a top speed in the upper 40s and a cruise right around or slightly above 30 mph. Peak efficiency remains about the same for the smaller powerplants, although at slightly slower speeds.

The LS2 runs on Regal’s FasTrac hull design, which incorporates a full mid-beam step with reverse chines and large strakes. Regal claims this design delivers up to 26-percent more speed and 30-percent better fuel economy than a regular hullform. During our on-the-water experiences on Regal’s boats with the FasTrac, we’ve encountered none of the sliding in turns or ventilation issues that can affect some stepped-hull boats.

Easily accessible swim platform for social hangouts. Regal photo.

Regal LS2 Description

Regal sticks with a traditional bowrider layout on the LS2, incorporating that wrap-around aft cockpit seating with forward-facing helm and passenger’s seats. The passenger’s seat seatback swings forward to convert into an aft-facing seat so there’s a comfy place for your spotter to relax when towed watersports are the order of the day. There’s stowage under the seating, including in the seat backs for the bow seating, plus a ski locker integrated into the deck.

The LS2 comes with some nice perks you don’t always find on reasonably priced bowriders. Bow seats have flip-down arm rests, upholstery includes diamond-stitched fabrics, and bolsters ring the entire interior of the boat. The boat has some cool tech, too, and is controlled via a single or (an upgrade) pair of touchscreens at the helm.

On the construction front, the LS2 again follows Regal’s traditional playbook. The boats are hand-laid, stringers are all composite, and hardware is all stainless-steel. The builder adds a vinylester barrier coat to protect against blistering, canvas is top-shelf Sunbrella, and wiring connections are made with waterproof Deutsch connectors.

Regal LS2 Pros and Cons

The biggest pro on the Regal LS2 will be found right where we started, at that swim platform and the socially active transom. The whole point of going out on a boat is to enjoy the water with family and friends, and this arrangement certainly lets you do so. 

It’s important to point out that the LS2 comes in a few additional flavors. There’s the Ultimate version, which adds a fully customizable premium interior and a number of upgrades. There’s also an LS2 Surf edition for dedicated watersports enthusiasts, which incorporates wake-shaping tabs, 1,800-pounds of ballast, Volvo’s wake surfing Forward Drive, and Water Sport Control.

When it comes to cons, the number one gripe for many will be that this boat doesn’t have a head compartment. While 22 feet is on the small side to have a head, there are certainly plenty of boats this size that do shoehorn one in. But in this case Regal chose to keep the passenger’s console quite svelte, maximizing room in the cockpit and in the bow. Blowing out the console to include a head would take up a lot of interior volume and thus be a substantial trade-off.

Also recognize that like many bowriders, this is an all-around runabout that will be great for just about all activities but specializes in none. If you want to focus solely on wake surfing, for example, you’d probably be happier in the long run with a dedicated wake sports boat. You could bring fishing rods aboard the LS2, but a focused angler would be happier aboard a fishing boat. And if you prioritize maximizing elbow room you might be better off with a deck boat as opposed to a bowrider. Of course, the deck boat versus bowrider argument is an age-old conundrum; see Deck Boat vs. Bowrider: Which Runabout is Best? to get our take on which is the better choice for different activities and priorities.

Touchscreen display at the helm. Regal photo.

Why Buy the Regal LS2 Used

Saving on cost is usually the prime motivator for buying a boat used as opposed to buying one new, and this will certainly be the case for most people looking at the LS2. However, since this model hit the market relatively recently in 2019, you won’t be able to find decades-old models at super low cost. Still, there’s a good bit of cha-ching to be saved if you look at boats that are three to five years old. Some list at half or even slightly less than half of what new boats are currently going for.

There are several other reasons why buying a Regal LS2 used may be a smart move. As a well-established builder with a solid reputation, once the initial devaluation period has gone by these boats are likely to maintain their resale value relatively well, especially when properly cared for. Plus, this model in particular has proved exceptionally popular so there’s a good chance it will remain in high demand for the foreseeable future. Finally, bowriders like this one appeal to a wide swath of the boaters out there, which again means that it will probably be relatively easy to resell down the line.

Last Thoughts

There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to 22-foot bowriders, and if you’re just beginning the search for the boat of your dreams, you have to expect it might take time and effort to find it. That said, we know from Regal’s history that it’s a reliable brand to consider and has produced enough hits in its time that this company appears over and over again in our (and other’s) “best boats” roundups. Your search may just be beginning, or you may have been looking for months on end, but either way, if you find the Regal LS2 appealing it’s time to start looking hard at those listings—your search may be nearing its end.

Regal LS2 Technical Specifications

Length – 22’4”

Beam – 8’6”

Displacement – 3,800 lbs

Draft (min.) – 1’7”

Transom deadrise – 21 degrees

Fuel capacity – 56 gal.