2004 Regal 3880

B

BryanK

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2005
RO Number
17747
Messages
35
I am very interested in purchasing this model and wanted to get some feedback. I currently own a 2004 Formula 34 PC, but am looking for some more space for my family (2 kids, my wife, and myself).

I have looked at a lot of bridge boats in the 38 - 42 range and find that the 3880 is spacious enough, but seems like it would be easy for my wife and I to handle. Some of the larger boats are just "too big."

The boat I am looking at is loaded with options, including a bow thruster, and comes with the 8.1 Mercruiser HOs.

I'll be looking at the boat again next week and hopefully taking a sea trial soon after. Just a couple questions:

- How is the ride? Coming from a Formula, I am used to a soft ride in even rough seas. I boat primarily in Lake Erie/Lake St. Clair, so it tends to get choppy on windy days

- How does it handle by the dock? Is it difficult to maneuver in windy situations?

- When at the dock, is it a stable boat? When I was on it this past weekend, it seemed very stable, but it was a very calm day as well.

These are just a few questions I have before I check her out again. Any input is appreciated!

Thank you!
 
This is the boat I am looking at as well as soon as I sell my 34'.
I have looked at every 3880 out there.
Where is the one you are looking at located?
Here is what I know.
It rides great, but you won't get the same feel as your 34'.
I hear they can be tough to spin at the dock and the thruster will help there.
It is a very stable boat.

Let me know which one your looking at, I am looking at a 2003 one and I have had some boatered RO's check out others for me.
 
CurrentSea,

Thanks for your input. I am looking at a 2004 in Marblehead, OH (Skipper Bud's is the dealer). The owner downsized to an express cruiser...

Thanks,
BryanK
 
Don't see that one on my list.
Must not be listed on any websites?
Hopefully I will be in one soon too.
Good luck!
 
CurrentSea,

Just curious... what attracted you to the 3880?
 
Few things:

1) I own my slip and it is only 14' wide. So I needed a beam less than 13' 10" to fit comfortably.
2) I go to Fire Island alot, where slips for large boats are hard to get. So the narrower the beam, the better.
3) Wife wanted a flybridge.
4) There was only 2 boats I liked that were flybridge boats with beams close to 13', 3800 and Meridian 341. I don't really like the Meridian.
5) I like the 3880 sunpads, storage, layout, folddown seats in cockpit, and regal quality.

I think that is enough. It's a great looking boat and as far as flybridges goes, I think they packed alot into its space.
 
quote:
Originally posted by BryanK

- How is the ride? Coming from a Formula, I am used to a soft ride in even rough seas. I boat primarily in Lake Erie/Lake St. Clair, so it tends to get choppy on windy days

Click to expand...


We travel with several larger express boats on a regular basis and when it gets rough out we always seem to be able to blaze ahead when they have to back down.

quote:
- How does it handle by the dock? Is it difficult to maneuver in windy situations?

Click to expand...


Never been an issue. Wind, current or both, I can always make her go where I want to. Sometimes I have to use a bit of throttle but not that big a deal.

quote:
- When at the dock, is it a stable boat? When I was on it this past weekend, it seemed very stable, but it was a very calm day as well.

Click to expand...


At the dock or even on the hook she is very stable.

I may be biased since we own one but we own one because we love it. Only thing missing is a washer/dryer since we spend so much time on it during our 9 month season. Sure wish I could figure out where to install one!
 
Still no place to install that Steve. Wish there was but I haven't been able to figure out where.
 
Thanks for all the input! This is very helpful and it is good to hear that you love your boat, Rommer.
 
Thanks for all the input! This is very helpful and it is good to hear that you love your boat, Rommer.
 
One more quick question... does your 3880 "lean" to one side a little bit. There is one in my marina that appears to lean a bit, and the one that I was on felt like it was leaning to the starboard side (very slightly, but I did notice it when I was in the cabin). I don't know gas/water levels on the boat, so that may have had something to do with it, but I wanted to see if any of you experience this as well.

Thanks!
 
On occasion you will notice that if the fuel tanks are not equal. I use the fuel transfer button and all is well again.
 
Thanks, Rommer. So is there anything you don't like about the boat? Or, maybe I should re-phrase that to say: What is it you like least?

Thanks!
 
Could always use more storage which is why I have done so many modifications that are storage related. (I've posted pictures of them on boatered but they can be tricky to find so here is a link to our photo page. http://www.wake-n-waves.com/gallery/v/Summer2007/mods/ )

A hardtop for the bridge would be awesome. Would be able to do EZ2CY windows. And of course a washer dryer!!!

As for good points there are soooooo many. For example the bow rails are MUCH better than many other boats I have seen around the marina. Solid is an understatement, the use of 1.25" top rails really show how Regal tends to use better than average stuff in their builds.
 
rommer, he's looking at one with gas, as opposed to your diesels. Do you think he would have a harder time manuvering around the dock without the torque you get from diesels?
 
Nothing a bit of throttle could not deal with. Compared to other sedan bridge type boats the windage area of the 3880/4080 is much less.
 
BTW - Knot On Call is a 4060 Regal from SPBM with 8.1 gassers as well as a hard top. From the rub rail down the hull is identical to the 3880/4080. He has had the boat for only a few months and is already handling it like a pro and he came from a single outdrive boat. I had the opportunity to help him shortly after he bought the boat in a very strong wind and there were no surprises in its handling.
 
You're really making my decision a lot easier. One thing I really like about the boat is the fact that it is not a very high bridge and windage will be at a minimum. I'm glad to hear that handling should not be much of a problem. I'm dying to get back out and see the boat again!
 
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