Both the Regulator 28 FS 2012 and the Regulator 30 Express 2009 are modified-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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Regulator 28 FS 2012 at 27,6 ft versus Regulator 30 Express 2009 at 30,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Regulator 30 Express 2009 tips the scales at 11 350 lbs - 3 090 lbs less than the Regulator 28 FS 2012 at 8 260 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 700 hp, the Regulator 30 Express 2009 has a 100-hp advantage over the Regulator 28 FS 2012's 600-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Regulator 30 Express 2009 carries 300 gallons versus 235 gallons in the Regulator 28 FS 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Regulator 30 Express 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Regulator 28 FS 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Regulator 30 Express 2009 could be the deciding factor.