Matching a deep vee Regulator 29 FS 2012 against a modified vee Regulator 30 Express 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Regulator 29 FS 2012 at 29,0 ft versus Regulator 30 Express 2009 at 30,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Regulator 29 FS 2012 tips the scales at 8 016 lbs — 6 881 lbs more than the Regulator 30 Express 2009 at 1 135 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 29 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 29 FS 2012 carries 285 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Regulator 30 Express 2009. 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 29 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.