[BACK TO REELALITY]

I am a believer that the reg 26 was made for fishing off jersey. IMO one of the few boats that can do it all for us (maybe not the best for overnight but bear has proven numerous times that it can be done) It literally excels at all types of ocean fishing from chasing stripers in the fall off the beach to fishing the canyons, and has a great ride and build quality to match. I owned a 26 reg and not once did I hear a single crack or shudder while running it, and trust me I tried. My only complaint was the FS, the wife liked it but it took away from the fishability.

I have fished on contenders here in Jersey and in the keys. My opinion is they are the perfect florida boat, but not the best for Jersey. They are fast and economical, but it feels like you are out in a bathtub, and they get thrown around a bit on the drift since they are so light. Not to mention they tend to throw spray. IMO I want a little more boat if I'm going to spend 12+ hours on it on a canyon trip.

I have never riden on a 29 seavee, but can tell you they make one hell of a boat. I have fished on a 34 and the fit and finish is top notch, as was the ride. It is truly a boat designed for serious fisherman in mind. Also most have a coffin box, which I am a huge fan of. You get the storage up front and still are able to fish up front, makes a great seat while fishing up front as well since you can face outward of the boat.

I know you said you have it narrowed down to these 3, but don't rule out a Southport. One of my favorite layouts for a CC and they have a ride that rivals the reg.

 

[Phyll the thrill]

Contender,regulator,see vee are obviously great boat companies that built a name on quality so its going to boil down to which boat is comfortable for the type of fishing you will be doing. One thing I will add is take a look at the tidewater 28 that just came out. They say the boat is way overbuilt and they are an up and coming company trying to build a name as well. The 2014 model will put you back 120 k but there is a lot to be said about a new boat. I heard it will be at the a/c show. There hulls have that carolina flair so you ride high and dry... Good luck.

 

[Cpalms]

It's amazing how regional this stuff is - If you look at these discussions over on thehulltruth.com you will NOT see the kind of praise you see here for Regulators. I'm sure that is because it is more southern dominated over there and florida boats are favored. Definately take a look over on that forum as the are LOTS of these discussions....

 

[tunavet]

Have been on the regs and contenders on the sea, and the seavee on dry land. You will love any one of them that you can afford, and all great boats!

I agree with everyone else that "my" boat is the best :razz:, well it at least has the nicest lines! If you can find one, def. worth a look!

 

[Celticcross]

I checked all of these boats when I was looking in 2010. All are well made boats. It was the different features that appealed to me. I went with a Bluewater 2850. They don't come up for sale much but if any are out there I would check it out. It is the longest(Bracketed). The SE and Contender count the Euro transom in there length. It has the biggest cockpit out of all of them. The most fish boxes( 1- 1200qt,1-400qt,4-280qt )
A 50 gal livewell in the floor and another in the transom. High gunnels. 340gal fuel Cap. And check out the other site about the ride(as they say legendary).These boats are made to fish. And the customer service is second none. I bought the boat used and Paul the owner treats you like family. Like I said all are good boats It was the little things for me that added up. I have had mine to the Canyons many times and always felt safe in some pretty bad ****. If you want to check mine out you are more than welcome. Good Luck with your choice. You can't really go wrong with any of them.

 

[ORTHUNNUS]

not even a question.

Sea vee will hold its value far better than any brand. Go do a search for a used sea vee, regulator and contender. You can shake a tree and find a thousand 26 regs and 31 contenders. You might find 10 sea vees right now. I have a 29 sea vee and have fished both a 26 reg and 31 contender. I would urge you to wait for a used sea vee if you can find one. It will depreciate far less than the other too. Also, they cv has more live well space and the wiring is great. BTW nothing rides better, but go see for yourself.

STeve

 

[Blynch]

not even a question.

Sea vee will hold its value far better than any brand. Go do a search for a used sea vee, regulator and contender. You can shake a tree and find a thousand 26 regs and 31 contenders. You might find 10 sea vees right now. I have a 29 sea vee and have fished both a 26 reg and 31 contender. I would urge you to wait for a used sea vee if you can find one. It will depreciate far less than the other too. Also, they cv has more live well space and the wiring is great. BTW nothing rides better, but go see for yourself.

STeve

Not really sure that the fact that there are less of them means they hold their value better. If there were only 10 regulators in the northeast, what sort of markup do you think would be on them? In reality, I think that the lack of supply means you will end up overpaying.

One thing that I've noticed about seavees versus regs. 26 reg= 25' 10" loa, 5000 lbs w/o engines. 29 seavee= 29' 6" loa, 4850 lbs. Lighter, even with the extra 3.5 feet of length. Might be fine down south where you mostly have windblown chop to contend with. In these parts, most would rather have the bigger flare and wave blasting power of the heavier Reg under their feet.

 

[BACK TO REELALITY]

not even a question.

Sea vee will hold its value far better than any brand. Go do a search for a used sea vee, regulator and contender. You can shake a tree and find a thousand 26 regs and 31 contenders. You might find 10 sea vees right now. I have a 29 sea vee and have fished both a 26 reg and 31 contender. I would urge you to wait for a used sea vee if you can find one. It will depreciate far less than the other too. Also, they cv has more live well space and the wiring is great. BTW nothing rides better, but go see for yourself.

STeve

Part of the reason you don't see as many is because they simply don't make as many. Contender and reg are much larger dealers with dealerships all over the place. Sea vee is factory direct only.

And as far as nothing riding better, guess you've never been on a yellowfin lol

 

[ORTHUNNUS]

Part of the reason you don't see as many is because they simply don't make as many. Contender and reg are much larger dealers with dealerships all over the place. Sea vee is factory direct only.

And as far as nothing riding better, guess you've never been on a yellowfin lol

I have and to be honest,I've been on a 39 yellowfin and A 39 seavee. The sea vee rides better the yellowfin is faster. I would take a sea vee over a yellowfin any day of the week. I was on a 31 yellowfin and a 32 seavee last month back to back in key west. Again, sea vee hands down. My 29 seevee rides better tan the 31 yellowfin I was on.
The others aren't bad boats but CV's are better. But please buy whatever you want and good luck
Steve

 

[pgoins]

Have been on the regs and contenders on the sea, and the seavee on dry land. You will love any one of them that you can afford, and all great boats!

I agree with everyone else that "my" boat is the best :razz:, well it at least has the nicest lines! If you can find one, def. worth a look!

Tunavet, If you ever need an extra crew member let me know. Those Onslow's are one of my favorites that I've never been on. The new 32 looks amazing!

 

[BLADE RUNNER]

I have the Regulator 29FS and find it fits my style of fishing. I do mostly inshore bass trips but do go offshore about 6 times a year. This boat has always gotten me out there and back, is fast when I want/need it to be and is always a comfortable ride. The FS and the step is not a problem for me and was the final selling point, as my wife and kids are on it in the afternoon either tubing or on an adult beverage tour. This boat covers all my needs.

 

[Kaley Marie]

Thanks for all the great input guys. It seems like the contender guys like their contenders. The regulator guys like their regulators and guys that have neither like SeaVee. Lol! I did know about the step on the reg. but didn't know about the live well being in the floor. That kina sucks. I didn't realize the huge weight difference between the cont. and reg. that could be a plus or minus depending how you look at it.
No to the chartering only personal probaby 4 guys tops. But we are big on running and gunning so the big casting platform is key.

There is a live well leaning post option. I had it on mine and liked it. It's around 40galls

 

[Topaz29]

Regulator

My 2002 26 foot classic (no FS) Reg, has 2 livewells. One in the floor, and a large one in the transom. The transom one also doubles as great storage.
Thanks
Mike.

 

[BACK TO REELALITY]

I have and to be honest,I've been on a 39 yellowfin and A 39 seavee. The sea vee rides better the yellowfin is faster. I would take a sea vee over a yellowfin any day of the week. I was on a 31 yellowfin and a 32 seavee last month back to back in key west. Again, sea vee hands down. My 29 seevee rides better tan the 31 yellowfin I was on.
The others aren't bad boats but CV's are better. But please buy whatever you want and good luck
Steve

I've never been on a larger one of that size of either boat, but IMO the 32 YF outrode the 34 sea vee. Its a matter of opinion at that point I suppose. Both are top of the line.

 

[BLADE RUNNER]

Reg 29FS has the live well and bait holder/insulated fish box in the transom and the tackle center has a sink/bait prep station including 5 pole rocket launcher with seats has all the storage you need.

 

[tonymaja]

Sea Vee, you buy them factory direct and save alot of $. I have owned one since 1999 and have over 2000 hrs(Merc Horizon inboard 300hp) I priced a new 29' Regulator & Sea Vee w/twin 250 merc Verados and the Sea Vee was &25,000 cheaper. Both are built well and IMO ride the same and have a 24 degree deadrise which cuts through 3-6' seas very well.

 

[AquaSport87]

I would look into CAPE HORN

 

[peb3]

Three great options. What is your budget? I went through the same process five years ago.

Here are some other factors to consider:
1. What does the for sale baot stock look like on the east coast? When I was looking there were alot more Regulator's for sale than Contenders and SeaVee's. That is one of the reasons why i ended up with a Regulator.
2. What power pack the boats come with? I like Yamaha's, but to each their own.
3. What kind of shape are the electronics in? When I bought my 2001 Regulator it had 2001 electonics on it.
4. Also, make no mistake, I love my Regulator. I don't think that the step up is any big deal. Here are the negatives that I see with Regulator
a. For year's they put the batteries back by the transom. I have moved mine up to the console (as have many other owners)
b. Regulator's typically don't have as many above deck rod holders as Contenders and Sea Vees.
c. While I love the large Regulator console, I hate how tight it is to work on the elcectronics and wire. I think that SV's and Contenders are better in this aspect.

Good luck.


Peter

 

[peb3]

Two other points. If you look at Regulator I greatly prefer the classic layout to the FS. Also, as someone said, if you can afford to look in the $100k range (I could not), I would try to find a Onslow Bay. Great boats.

 

[loosescrews]

The budget is about 60-75k but 100k would open up alot more options. unfourtunately dont think I can swing that. The Onslow Bay is definitely a very nice boat. Looks like they crossed a regulator with a contender and ended up with the best of both worlds. There are 3X as many regs. On the market as contenders and only a couple SeaVee. That availability probably will come into play. There's one sweet SeaVee out there but has no motors and adding them will put me over budget. As for the Cape Horn, I'm not crazy about the layout but sure is a sweet looking boat.