REGULATOR 29 FS CENTER CONSOLE - The Fisherman

REGULATOR 29 FS CENTER CONSOLE

In her early life, the Regulator 29 CC was offered in two versions: the totally open bow classic version and the more refined forward seating layout. For 2011, the FS flavor has prevailed as the most popular layout of the two and is the only version available. The layout of the 29 CC is based on the classic proven Regulator design, with a raised forward casting deck and plenty of space aft of the standard leaning post/rocket launcher to bend the rods. The interior of the console offers a full fiberglass liner with a generous six feet, three inches of standing headroom. Visibility at the helm is excellent and the fiberglass console panel has enough vertical mounting space to flush-mount twin big screen multi-function displays.

There’s a massive 520-quart combo locking rod storage locker/insulated fishbox under the raised bow casting platform, flanked on either side by twin seat benches that feature 200-quart fishboxes under each that can double as dry storage bins for your tackle or safety gear. All boxes are plumbed either directly overboard or via macerator pumps, not into the bilge. Walk aft and you’ll find additional storage on either side of the console. There’s a 30-gallon livewell in the full-height transom cap flanked by an 84-quart insulated bait/fishbox, along with a tuna door in the starboard corner to help bring aboard your catch.

Internal wiring comes complete with loomed harnesses and waterproof connectors for a neat look and trouble-free maintenance. The triple battery system and switches is also a nice touch, as is the frameless tempered glass windshield.

GO TIME
Although the Regulator 29 FS was first introduced back in 2006 with a pair of F250s and had decent midrange and top end speed, the new bigger block Yamaha F300s take performance to the next level. If you can believe it, the new-and-improved larger 4.2-liter displacement on the F300s actually add about three mph of speed across the board, from low planing rpms to wide-open throttle, but do it all while getting equal or better fuel economy than their predecessors! Now that’s progress.

Swinging a pair of counter-rotating 15.25-inch diameter x 19-inch pitch three-blade stainless steel props, she’ll pop up and maintain slow planing speeds at about 3,100 rpm, but really starts to break free and go at 3,500 revs, where this Carolina girl will hit 30 mph at 16.8 gph for a net of 1.78 mpg. Bumping the smooth Yamaha Command Link Plus electronic fly-by-wire controls up to four grand, you will cruise along at an impressive 36.6 mph at only 23.4 gph, for a net of 1.56 mpg. If sea conditions permit, 4,500 rpm will get you 41.4 mph at 29.6 gph, for a bottom line of 1.4 mpg, which is excellent performance for a deep-vee, super-solid running bottom with a lot of heft. At these speeds, you will literally melt away long distance runs to the canyons in less than two hours, which translates to more fishing time. At wide open throttle, she’ll hit almost 57 mph, so the 29 FS can run with the best of them.

TOUGH STUFF
Like the majority of North Carolina fishboat builders, Regulator figures that if their boats are tough enough to handle the treacherous waters of the nearby Outer Banks, they are good to go for just about anywhere else on this planet. The design of the 29 FS Center Console is similar to other Lou Codega-inspired Regulator layouts and it bears a striking resemblance to the 32 and 24 models, looking either like a trimmed-down 32 CC or a 24 CC on saltwater steroids. The hull is based on the same successful 24-degree aft deep vee deadrise running bottom employed by the entire lineup of Regulator fishing machines that have made thousands of successful canyon trips for the legion of owners. With a beam of 9.5 feet, the 29 CC hull is a foot wider than the venerable Regulator 26 CC, which has been one of the industry standards for over 15 years. This translates to increased hip space and leg room in the cockpit and enhanced stability at rest. Combining top-notch finish work with plenty of wave-taming flare in the bow, bulletproof construction and no-nonsense functionality, the Regulator 29 FS can really dish it out when running hard in a sloppy seaway and keep you relatively dry and comfy.

Notable standard features include wood-free all-composite construction with a heavy duty fiberglass grillage system, Yamaha Command Link Plus digital electronic controls, a 20-gallon freshwater system, raw water washdown, cockpit lighting, Teleflex SeaStar hydraulic steering with power assist, four stainless steel gunwale mount rodholders, cockpit coaming pads and more. The MSRP rigged with a pair of Yamaha F300C four-strokes is $174K.