Both the Regal 2860 Express Cruiser 2009 and the Regal 3550 Cuddy 2013 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 3550 Cuddy 2013 measures 34,7 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Regal 2860 Express Cruiser 2009 at 29,4 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Regal 3550 Cuddy 2013 tips the scales at 11 400 lbs - 2 400 lbs less than the Regal 2860 Express Cruiser 2009 at 9 000 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.