Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Regal 2500 Bowrider 2013 vs Regal 38 Express 2012 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Regal 2500 Bowrider 2013 and the Regal 38 Express 2012 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Regal 38 Express 2012 measures 38,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 11,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Regal 2500 Bowrider 2013 at 26,3 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Regal 38 Express 2012 tips the scales at 152 lbs — 106 lbs less than the Regal 2500 Bowrider 2013 at 46 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Regal 2500 Bowrider 2013 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Regal 38 Express 2012 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Regal 38 Express 2012 at 38,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Regal 2500 Bowrider 2013 at 26,3 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
Model2500 Bowrider
Model38 Express
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.5 m)
Beam12 ft. 2 in. (3.7 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.71
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches146
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 10 in. (2.3 m) top up 5 ft. 1 in. (1.5 m) top down
Bridge clearance - Detail12 ft. 2 in. (3.7 m) top of arch light 12 ft. 4 in. (3.7 m)top - closed array
Bridge clearance - Meters2.39
Bridge clearance - Meters3.76
Bridge clearance - Inches94
Bridge clearance - Inches148
Deadrise21°
Deadrise19°
Depth - Detail34 in. (0.8 m) cockpit - helm
Depth - Detail30 in. (0.7 m) cockpit - helm
Depth - Centimeters86.36
Depth - Centimeters76.2
Depth - Inches34
Depth - Inches3
Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (0.4 m) high trim
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (0.5 m) high trim (I/O)
Draft [drive up] meters0.48
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches19
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) drive down
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.9 m) drive down 34 in. (0.9 m) V-drive
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,086 kg)
Weight - Detail15,200 lbs. (6,895 kg) with twin 8.1 l engines
Weight - kg2086.52
Weight - kg6894.6
Weight - lbs.46
Weight - lbs.152
Height - Detail6 ft. 7 in. (2 m) windshield to keel
Height - Detail12 ft. 5 in. (3.8 m) arch to keel
Height - Meters2.01
Height - Meters3.78
Height - Inches79
Height - Inches149
Length - Feet26.25
Length - Feet38
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 3 in. (8 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters8
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches315
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]38 ft. (11.6 m) with ext. platform
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail74 gal. (280 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail276 gal. (1,045 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters280.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1044.77
Fuel tank capacity - Gal74
Fuel tank capacity - Gal276
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O - Twin
Operational Info
StorageCockpit: 124.4 cu. ft. (3.5 m³)
StorageCabin: 75 cu. ft. (2.1 m³) Cockpit: 83 cu. ft. (2.3 m³)
Water capacity16 gal. (60 l)
Water capacityI/O: 67 gal. (253 l) I/B: 61 gal. (230 l)
Maximum capacity2,265 lbs. (1,027 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 5 in. (1.95 m) max (salon)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity6
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (114 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal3
Trailer Info
Trailer - Height8 ft. 1 in. (2.4 m) est. height on trailer - top of windshield
Trailer - Heightnot available