When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Regal 38 Express 2012 and the Regal 52 Sport Coupe 2013 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 52 Sport Coupe 2013 measures 53,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Regal 38 Express 2012 at 38,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Regal 52 Sport Coupe 2013 tips the scales at 344 lbs — 192 lbs less than the Regal 38 Express 2012 at 152 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 52 Sport Coupe 2013 tops out at 87 hp. Engine specs for the Regal 38 Express 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Regal 38 Express 2012 carries 276 gallons versus 45 gallons in the Regal 52 Sport Coupe 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.