Design and Construction
Beyer's hull measures 36.09 feet on the waterline against a 43.5-foot overall length, giving her the long-keel-on-paper proportions of a vessel meant to track well under autopilot. The solid fiberglass hull and deck are unembellished by core materials in the structural shell, a straightforward construction approach that avoids the hidden delamination pathways of cored hulls. Her 13.06-foot beam is moderate for the length, and the 261.72 displacement-to-length ratio places her in the heavy, seakindly end of the cruising spectrum rather than the voluminous, lightweight modern bracket. The 5.91-foot draft is a single fixed figure rather than a choice between shoal and deep options, which simplifies the used-market picture but limits her to reasonably deep water anchorages.
Rig and Handling
The masthead sloop rig carries 979.5 square feet of sail area, yielding a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.17 — a number that confirms a conservatively canvased boat, quick enough to make progress in a breeze yet not overpowered for a short-handed crew. With a mast standing 61.02 feet above the waterline, the rig is tall without being extreme, and the skeg-hung rudder paired with the fin keel gives her a defined pivot point aft. Her theoretical hull speed of 8.05 knots is the natural ceiling for a hull of this waterline length, and the 36.29 comfort ratio suggests a motion that absorbs chop rather than transmitting it.
Accommodations and Systems
The Regina 43 was fitted with a Yanmar diesel of 85 horsepower, a robust auxiliary for a boat of this displacement and one that provides ample thrust for maneuvering and battery charging. Tankage is a study in contrast: the fuel capacity recorded at 14 gallons (53 liters) is strikingly small for an 85-horsepower diesel and an ocean-capable hull, while the water capacity of 396 gallons (1,499 liters) is exceptionally generous, suggesting a design brief centered on long self-sufficient stays aboard rather than long motoring legs. The discrepancy is worth a buyer's attention, as the modest fuel reserve shapes passage planning more than any other single system figure.
The Verdict
The Regina 43 is a deliberately traditional bluewater cruiser: heavy, solidly built in single-skin fiberglass, and carrying a conservative rig beneath a Swedish builder's hand. She rewards an owner who values stability and water independence over speed under power or shoal-draft access. The small fuel tank remains the one glaring limitation against an otherwise well-considered cruising platform.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck with no core to delaminate
- High ballast ratio and capsize screen suited to offshore work
- Generous 396-gallon water capacity for extended cruising
- 85 hp Yanmar provides strong auxiliary power
Cons
- 14-gallon fuel capacity is very small for the hull and engine size
- Fixed 5.91-foot draft limits shallow anchorage access
- Conservative sail plan is not built for light-air performance
