Regal is easy on the eye2012.regalboats.com/pdf/reviews/3350/Australia_GCBLUE_3350.pdf · A drop-down table forms double berth The 3350 handles like a ski boat Not the usual layout

www.goldcoast.com.aueditor elizabeth campbell

5584 2219boating editor

kevan wolfe 0418 539 869fi shing, surfi ng and

diving editor paul burtadvertising

olivia thomas 5584 2260

the team

The 3350 handles like a ski boatA drop-down table forms double berth Not the usual layout below

EVERY now and then a sports cruiser comes along that stands out

from the rest. The Regal 3350 with its

sleek lines and innovative lay-out above and below decks does just that – the bright red hull and bimini helps too.

This is a big boat for up to 10 party-ready adults or a cou-ple who want to get away for a quiet weekend.

The 3350 is the top of the range in the sports cruiser series from Regal, which is one of the few boat-building companies in the US still owned by second-

generation family members. Regal is known to push the

limits in design and has com-bined a high performance deep-vee hull with a very un-conventional layout.

The boat handles like a ski boat and has all the amenities of a cruiser, although not all in the traditional places.

From the standard swim platform, there’s a walk through the transom to the aft cockpit.

The transom includes four big lockers with lift up doors.

Two of the lockers are huge and extend under the cockpit seats – they are obviously designed to carry skis, wake-boards and other water toys.

The big U-shaped aft lounge can be converted into one big sun bed and is separated from the helm station and the forward passenger seats by a barbecue and fridge on one side, and a Corian-topped sink with a cooler underneath on

the other side. The targa arch is manufactured from alum-inium, so it doesn’t crack or craze.

It faces forward so the Sunbrella fabric bimini shades the cockpit.

This leaves the helm and passenger seats open to the sun, but if it gets too hot the space can be fi lled in with another shade that clips to the windscreen.

The windscreen is strong with the biggest stainless steel frame on a boat this size.

The centre panel opens up for access to the bow via a couple of steps with rubber non-slip grip.

Regal hasn’t forgotten the hand holds when moving around the boat while it is under way, they can be found in all the right places.

There’s a couple on the sides of the seats up front too, although they weren’t needed,

the boat is so stable passengers don’t get thrown around even at speed.

The driver gets a wood-rimmed, tiltable, sports wheel and is presented with a range of white-faced Faria gauges set in a burl console with a moulded spot for a plotter sounder at the side.

The sit-down driving posi-tion is as good as a ski boat with good vision. It is just as easy to drive sitting down as it is standing up supported by the bolster.

With the low centre of grav-ity and the big beam, the boat is easy to steer and would hold no trepidation for a fi rst timer.

The 3350 is essentially a day boat but two people could spend a comfortable weekend away on it.

The downstairs table can be dropped down to fi ll the space in the vee-berth to form a double bunk – of sorts.

Regal is easy on the eye

KevanWolfeBOATING

O Continued on page 2

The head and shower are placed opposite another small lounge.

But hang on, where’s the galley? To get the room in the head compartment something had to go – and it was the galley.

Regal has been very clever though, all the neces-sary appliances are there but not in their normal spots.

As well as the sink, bar-becue and the main fridge in the cockpit, a microwave is hidden downstairs be-hind a cupboard door and there is a drawer fridge under the bulkhead that houses the stereo system and TV set mounted on the door, which in turn hides the switchboard.

A 240-volt outlet is also included for a jug or coffee

maker. It’s all a bit unusual,but it works.

Regal has powered the3350 with a pair of 5.7 litreVolvo Penta, 320hp, OSIswith 26-inch duo props –and the boat loves them.

The 3350 gets on to theplane in 4.7 seconds, butthere was no noticeabletransition from rest towhen it settles down onthe plane.

The boat just poweredup and sat fl at without thebow coming up at around24 knots, which was a com-fortable cruising speed.

It started to fall off theplane around 11 knots, butit was hard to tell just bylooking at the bow.

7- day weatheroutlook

TODAY SAT SUN MON TUE WED THURS

19/25˚c 19/27˚c 20/29˚c 19/26˚c 14/21˚C 13/23˚c 14/23˚c25 Gateway Drive, Labrador, Qld, 4215Ph (07) 5537 9290 Fax (07) 5537 9278

Email [email protected] www.jetskiworld.com.au

SAVE $3200 on a BRAND NEW STX-12F This Weekend ONLY

ONLY 1 LEFT

Package includes Jet Ski, Trailer, 3xPFD2 Jackets, Jet SkiPackage includes Jet Ski, Trailer, 3xPFD2 Jackets, Jet Ski Cover, 3 Year Warranty, Pre Delivery, OWC & Trailer Lock.Cover, 3 Year Warranty, Pre Delivery, OWC & Trailer Lock.

ONLYONLY $$15,495*15,495*

B03J825957 ©

THE Gold Coast BULLETIN Blue - goldcoast.com.au - Friday, October 3, 2008 - 1

2 - THE Gold Coast BULLETIN Blue - goldcoast.com.au - Friday, October 3, 2008 THE Gold Coast BULLETIN Blue - goldcoast.com.au - Friday, October 3, 2008 - 3

GOLD COAST TIDE TIMES

Reel in businessTo showcase your business in front of 104, 000* Gold & Tweed Coasters,

Phone 5584 2260 TODAY!* Source: Roy Morgan Research, March 2008

TIDE TIMES – GOLD COAST SEAWAY | Friday 3rd - Thursday 9th October 2008

Approximate time of high water at:

G.C. Bridge (Sundale) + 17 min. Paradise Point + 1 hr. Runaway Bay + 31 min. Jumpinpin (ocean side) + 1 hr 30min. Tweed River (Boyds Bridge) + 50 min. Grand Hotel + 16 min. Isle of Capri + 43 min.Av. Water Temperature

20 Degrees

Date Low Tide AM (m) High Tide AM (m) Low Tide PM (m) High Tide PM (m)

Fri 3rd 0037 0.12 1028 1.40 1646 0.29 2223 1.00

Sat 4th 0406 0.19 1106 1.35 1733 0.36 2301 0.91

Sun 5th 0441 0.27 1150 1.29 1831 0.41 2350 0.83

Mon 6th 0525 0.35 1246 1.24 1945 0.44 - -

Tue 7th 0626 0.42 0101 0.77 2104 0.42 1355 1.20

Wed 8th 0749 0.44 0231 0.77 2208 0.36 1506 1.21

Thu 9th 0916 0.41 0350 0.83 2256 0.28 1610 1.25

Moon Phase: 4 First Quarter Phase Tuesday 7th October 2008B03J838865 ©

FOR classifiedbookings phone1300-112345

YAMAHA 1300R jet skis x 2, e.c.low hours. custom-made Swiftcodual trailer, with all gear. $23,500.Great family fun. 0407 686 434.

For classifiedbookings

phone

Water Sports& Gear

7 CQ009 7

Searay 200 SLX300hp, Ski Tower

Trailer ................. $49,900Mega Marine Carpark

Sale Oct 4th & 5th!OPEN 7 DAYS 5591 7032

www.qmc.com.au

7 CQ009 7

20’ OUTLAW’03 Baja - 350 V8, 60+MPH, custom trailer.

$32,900Mega Marine CarparkSale Oct 4th and 5th!

OPEN 7 DAYS 5591 7032www.qmc.com.au

7 CQ009 7

Polycraft4.1 Challenger

’07 Honda 50hp, bimini,casting deck, trailer........

$14,900Mega Marine CarparkSale Oct 4th and 5th!


MARINE upholstery, canopyclears + covers custom made, re-pairs and restitch. Free quote.Call Tim 0410 848 851.

GULF CRAFTAMBASSADOR 36

First regd 2005, low hrs,just serviced. Two lock-able sleeping cabins, fullcovers, large cockpitwith several seatingcombinations. Has ev-erything incl. aircond.,generator, vac, flush,GPS, LCD TVs, fishinggear etc............$165,000

Ph. 0408 194 284Paradise Point

WANTED air dock or simliar tosuit 24Ft boat. Ph. 0418 520 483.HAINES HUNTER

CABIN CRUISERFlybridge

Twin 225, 4 strokeYamaha outboards, latemodel, low hours. Boatneeds some TLC (goodproject). User friendly,l a r g e v o l u m evessel. Buy as is, andget a bargain at:

$53,000Ph (07) 5580 5255,

0417 797 099

Mariner 26ftGreat Family WeekenderRecent refurb., electrictoilet, hot and cold wa-ter, shower, full galley,BBQ, TV/ video, sounderradio, full covers, tenderplus o/b, sleeps 5, pow-ered by 225 optimax,175 hours.

Private Sale$44,900

0417 002 188

BOAT trailer to suit a 12-15ftboat, solid, no rust, new springs,bearing and tyres, rego to20.03.09. $995. 5598 6986,0418 767 119.

7 CQ009 7

Sea Ray 240Overnighter

Brand new V8, bimini, v-berth, great for week-ends away..........$39,990

Mega Marine CarparkSale Oct 4th & 5th!


SEACRAFT 28FSport cruiser 2003,great sea boat, greatentertainer, extras, of-fers under $60,000.MUST SELL.

0412 723 656Genuine Buyers

Only

MUSTANG 28ftUrgent Private Sale

Looks like new, goes likenew, heaps of extras,incl. bow thruster, GPS,fish finder, etc.

$79,000 o.n.o.0420 989 350

Marine Parts/Accessories

CROWNLINE315 SCR Sport CruiserOn Hydro lift. Twin 6.2Mercruiser with only20hrs.Toilet/shower,genset, aircond, 2 TV’s,GPS, full covers andbow thruster.This boatis as new and ready forsummer.

Looking for offers -taking up spaceR MARINE QLD

Ph. (07) 5502 9544

7 CQ009 7

Stacer 470Pro Tournament Elite

’05 Honda 50hp 4stroke, bimini, fishfinder,CD, marine radio, baittanks.................. $23,500



Help me!“I heard you can help withwording and creating ads.”We offer personal service toall of our clients. Call us ...

MOTOR CRUISERN 103’ boatN Sleeps 16 peopleN Licensed to carry

50 people$1,400,000

Will trade onproperty up or downPhone 0418 751 267

7 CQ009 7

Sea Ray 270 SLX320hp, Corsa exhaust,sports tower, covers,low hours...........$99,000

Mega Marine CarparkSale Oct 4th and 5th!


Cobalt 246Bowrider

502 Mag., Bravo 3 leg,fully optioned incl. Cap-tain’s Choice exhaust,CD, toilet, 60mph per-formance, on Ali tan-dem trailer, e.c, greatfamily boat $57,000o.n.o. 0438 526 311

7 CQ009 7

SouthernStar Steath

’05, 5.4m, e-tec 90hp,tracker, fishfinder, baittanks, Professional allrounder ..............$28,950



TEKNIQUEMARINE

Quality boat buildersspecialising in Teak andCork decking.

Gold Coast/Brisbane areas

Grant 0414 657 487David 0411 100 731

HALFSHARE

In immaculate 26 ftSports Cruiser

Sleeps 4, bbq, tender,video/ stereo etc. Veryeconomical. Ownersnegotiable.Ph. Jenni 0411 509 713

SEA RAY 240SUNDANCER

5.7L, Mercruiser, 296hrs only (as new), fitted,VHF radio, 27 MHZ, AMmarine transceiver, FishFinder and plotter.

All This For:$49,000

0411 049 3335572 7744

7 CQ009 7

Boston Whaler205 Conquest

Brand new 21ft 175hpS/S arch, Was...$93,000Now only.............$72,400



SEAPENN Second handN Suits Mustang 28ft or

similar

$11,0000417 725 467

WANT TO BE BOATING THIS SUMMER?Do so in style without breaking the Bank,

come and have a look at these

NEW and USED SPECIALSSILVERTON 310

Economical Family boating with featuresgalore ONLY $110,000.00

CRUISERS 3075Full Covers, Great Layout, Great Boat

ONLY $115,000.002005 CARIBBEAN 26 Flybridge

Only 35 hours from NEWValue here at ONLY $115,000.00

2004 BLACK WATCH 26 FlybridgeVolvo Diesel powered, Excel. cond.

Legendary sea boat $159,000.002004 RIVIERA M430

2004 Show Boat loaded with ExtrasStyle Plus ONLY $319,000.00

2005 RIVIERA 33 Platinum Flybridge125 hours on Cummins Diesels.

Immaculate presentation $379,000.00NEW GRADY-WHITE 300 Marlin

Twin Yamaha 250’s priced when theAU$ was much higher. ONLY $275,000.00

NEW CABO 43 FlybridgeCat C-12’s Luxurious interior in a hull that

never quits. REDUCED $1,090,000.00Game & Leisure Boats

Runaway Bay MarinaPh. 5577 5811

TRADES AND OFFERS WELCOME

7 CQ009 7

Haines Hunter 1700200hp rocket - bringyour helmet........$11,900



SEARAY 270 SLXCurrent Model 2006

Large Bow Rider375hp Mercruiser sterndrive, toilet, fridge, ste-reo, covers, GPS. GreatBroadwater day boat.Easy to handle, cancome with drivinglessons.

Worth $110,000Make an offer

R MARINE QLDPH (07) 5502 9544

PONTOON 8 x 3.5m dry berth, tosuit piles, heavy duty universalroller system with elec. winch.v.g.c. near new carpeted surface.Best offers. 0419 673 828.

7 CQ009 7

Sea Ray 230 BowriderV8, covers, anti fouled,low hours.

$$Make an OFFER!$$Mega Marine Carpark

Sale Oct 4th & 5th!OPEN 7 DAYS 5591 7032

www.qmc.com.au

PONTOON good cond., alumini-um, 2.4m x 3.6m, with 7m alumin-ium gangway. $1,500.0404 693 930 or 5576 1123.

7 CQ009 7

Bayliner 2150Bowrider

350 Mercruiser, full cov-ers. Bargain at....$28,990



MARINA berth available up to 8m,long-term, Runaway Bay, $65p.w. Phone 5563 7505.

QUALITY BOATS,ON DISPLAY

New Vessels340 Pirate Sportcruz ......... $349,000Alaska 46 Sedan....... from $790,000Alaska 54 Flybridge ........U/Contract

Near NewAlaska 46 Sedan............... $760,000

Aft CabinIsland Gypsy 40 ................ $495,000Hi-Star 45 ......................... $349,000

Flybridge35 Riviera ......................... $185,000340 Deep V ....................... $375,00040 Scimitar P/Cat ............. $399,00040 Clipper ......................... $515,000Sea Ray 480 S/Bridge ....... $695,00056 Powerplay P/cat.............. $1.55M56 Sunseeker Man .............. $1.65M

Sport Boats26 Caribbean F/bridge ...... $110,00034 Mustang W/body.......... $155,00036 Gulfcraft Diesels .......... $170,000Mustang 42 S/Top ............ $349,000Mustang 46 S/Top ............ $695,0004800 Sunrunner ............... $695,000

Under $100,00025 Mariner Sedan ............... $49,50024 Mustang Club Sport ....... $74,99027 Riviera ........................... $79,00028 Mariner .......................... $89,900260 Larson Cabrio .............. $95,000

Homecruiser51 H/Cruiser (diesels) ....... $495,000

Ph: 5573 0710Keith 0418 887 762Oskar 0415 748 143

76 Waterway Dr, Coomerawww.lscruisersales.com.au

J031

0739

H

Boats —Power

7 CQ009 7

MEGA MARINECARPARK SALESat & Sun 9-4pm

Overstocked and out of space - Everything must go at wholesale or less!Over 40 pre-owned boats from $9,000 for one weekend ONLY!

y Inflatables y Engines y Boat trailers y Water sports geary Ski and wake gear y Safety gear

At our showroom Bailey Cres. SouthportOPEN 7 DAYS 5591 7032 www.qmc.com.au

PUNT Tinny 3.1m Quintrex, Evin-rude elec., motor, all safety gear.$800 o.n.o. 0411 093 311. 7 CQ009 7

Sea Ray 185 BowriderCurrent 2007 V6 Mer-cruiser, covers... $35,900



7 CQ009 7

Searay240 Sundeck

’04 model, 320hp V8,vacu-flush toilet, GPS,fishfinder, bimini, newclears, trailer ......$76,850



OtherMarine

CLASSIFIEDS: BOAT SHED

SURFING & DIVINGFISHING & BOATING

Fish stockIngredients 1kg fi sh heads and bones (non-oily and white fl eshed)

2½ litres water

1 onion (peeled and quartered)

1 leek (washedand quartered)

1 stick celery (trimmed and halved)

100g carrot (chopped)

10 peppercorns

2 sprigs fresh thyme

THINGS are fi nally looking up after a few weeks of bad conditions

for divers. Visibility was a mediocre 10 to 12m

at Cook Island this week and only 5m in the Tweed River and Gold Coast Seaway.

A few divers still jumped in at the Tweed and seaway during the week for the mid-morning high tide, but most stayed dry.

The northerly winds should abate

Good conditions aheadShip is marine life haven

Sit down and hang on

JOHN West isn’t getting his hands on this one – Bob Reid wins the battle

with a 6kg tuna he caught while fi shing in the Gold Coast Seaway at Southport on Sunday. Not a bad effort for Catch of the Week.

Send a picture of your fi sh and you could win a $20 gift voucher from Doug Burt’s Fishing

Tackle World and a pair of Dirty Dogpolarised sunglasses valued at $100

DIVERS have watched the HMAS Brisbane slowly trans-form from a clean, metal slate

into a haven for marine life. New additions are continually found

as the wreck’s residents grow in size and number.

The former warship was sunk in 28m of water in 2005 just 9km from the mouth of the Mooloolah River, after many years of lobbying by local dive operators and divers.

A unique conservation park has been created around the wreck to protect the ship, its marine inhabitants and divers.

Parts of the ship, including the bridge, missile launcher and propeller, were removed by the navy to be used in displays at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, but very few other items have been removed.

Access holes allow for easy entry and daylight penetrates the wreck’s entire interior except the stacks.

The Brisbane is the only purposely designed wreck in Australia where divers can swim through the engine and boiler rooms.

Only licensed dive operators and those who apply for a special permit can enter the park and dive the wreck, ensur-ing no quarrelling over moorings or crowds of divers queuing on the line for the required safety stop.

Although the wreck is now covered in marine growth including sponges, barna-

cles, gorgonians and corals, details of the mechanical structures inside the engine room can still be seen.

Shimmering schools of striped cardi-nalfi sh congregate inside the engine and boiler rooms, shifting and parting as we swam through the rooms and into the passageways, where we ducked our heads inside living and sleeping quarters.

We also saw lionfi sh, pufferfi sh and a small groper inside the wreck.

As we emerged from the boiler room we quickly cruised around the gun before heading back to the line to begin our ascent.

A small nudibranch was slowly crawl-ing along one of the railings in search of food, while a school of trevally cruised past.

We spotted several dinner-plate sized anemones with resident three-spot dom-

DIVING

SeannaCronin

A lionfi sh in the forward engine room The gun and forward deck Parts of the engine still visible

The driving position feels good in this boat

TYPICAL October spring condi-tions in play with warm northerly

winds knocking the swell down to size and blowing all open beaches.

Even the small wave haunts of D-Bah and TOS are struggling to produce anything worth riding with only a soft, broken, leftover half-metre wind swell, dribbling onto the Gold Coast.

If you are super desperate for a wave today, the best bet will be to head to the protected corners of The Southport Spit, around the pumping jetty area, for a small wave out of the northerly winds or the Tweed back beaches of Fingal, Cabarita or Hast-ings, but don’t expect too much.

Best bet is to get in early on the lead up to the 10am high tide and before the 20kt afternoon onshore northerly winds kick in.

With similar conditions coming up for the weekend, it’s probably best left for the grommets, learners or longboarders.

Wind knocks swell back

MethodO Wash the fi sh heads and

bones. Place all ingredients in the water, bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

O Skim the surface as the scum rises to the top. When cooked, strain the liquid through a sieve lined with muslin or cheesecloth and discard the solid ingredients.

O Cool and refrigerate if not using immediately and freeze leftover stock for later use. Makes about 1.5 litres.

Catchweekof the

Running at 3500rpm and the GPS showing 31 knots the controls were pushed all the way to the stops and the Volvo Pentas literally jumped straight to 5000rpm – we were quickly running at an average speed of 40 knots.

Regal claims to have seen 50 knots on the clock, but we were not going to try for that in the 40-knot

Broadwater speed limit. Turn at speed and the 3350 takes it in its stride and once set up, it just keeps turning with-out dropping speed off.

The rough stuff isn’t a worry and it was possible to sit hands off as the boat tracked without any bone jarring.

The overall fi nish is top class, it’s easy on the eye and feels just as good.

The test boat was priced at $269,000 and supplied by Going Boating.

O From previous page and an easing swell will more suitable for divers than surfers this weekend.

Kirra Dive says the water tempera-ture has also increased to 21C over the past week.

With improving conditions on all fronts, this weekend looks like a goer, so get out the gear.

Expect to see plenty of turtles and octopus at Cook Island.

F Seanna Cronin

4 - day swell forecast

Brought to you by goldcoast.com.au weather

To book To book Gold Gold Coast Coast fi shing fi shing charters, charters, boatboattours & tours & water-water-sportssportsvisit our visit our websitewebsite

Today Sat Sun Mon

wlnd dir/speed = N am= pm=

Brought to

w

6ft

5ft

4ft

3ft

2ft

1ft

0

ino damselfi sh, two symbiotic residents that were not there the last time I dove the wreck in November last year.

Our safety stop fl ew by thanks to the entertainment provided by a curious school of batfi sh.

The Brisbane is open to divers of all experience levels, but open-water divers must ensure they don’t ex-ceed their recom-mended depth limit.

All divers, regard-less of their qualifi ca-tions, must not go inside the wreck on their fi rst ever dive at the site.

Due to its exposed location, conditions such as visibility, cur-rent and swell are

highly variable at the Brisbane and can change rapidly.

A full body wetsuit and gloves are highly recommended to avoid cuts, scrapes or stings, and a dive computer and safety sausage or fl ag are a necessity.

Three dive operators are licensed to run trips to the wreck: Sunreef, Blue Water Dive and Scuba World.

Documents

Regal is easy on the eye2012.regalboats.com/pdf/reviews/3350/Australia_GCBLUE_3350.pdf · A drop-down table forms double berth The 3350 handles like a ski boat Not the usual layout