Both the Regal 30 Express 2013 and the Regal 3550 Cuddy 2012 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 2012 measures 34,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Regal 30 Express 2013 at 29,4 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Regal 3550 Cuddy 2012 tips the scales at 11 400 lbs - 2 000 lbs less than the Regal 30 Express 2013 at 9 400 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Regal 3550 Cuddy 2012 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Regal 30 Express 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Regal 3550 Cuddy 2012 could be the deciding factor.