This 36-foot Grande Coupe brings luxury living to the water. Take a look inside

Doug Peege, president and partner of Marine Sales and Service Inc. on River Road, has spent more hours than he can count out on the water. “My family (has) owned this business since 1945,” he said. “Every summer, we’ll have one or two toys or demos to use up at the lake house. It’s a lot of fun.”

This past summer, Peege spent some time on a 2022 Regal 36 Grande Coupe, a boat that will be on display at this month’s Louisville Boat, RV, & Sportshow. “It’s extremely functional,” he told the Courier Journal. “A family of four could go out on that boat for a whole weekend.”

Masterful maneuverability

From a control standpoint, Peege said the Grande Coupe has the best technology. “The boat’s very easy to drive,” he explained, adding that it features joystick steering. “Wherever you point that joystick, that’s where the boat will go.”

Though the typical customer for this Grande Couple would likely be an experienced boater, Peege says he wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to a new boater simply because driving it is effortless.

“If you have a 12-year-old kid that plays video games, they can drive this boat,” he added with a laugh.

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Thoughtful technology

The Grande Coupe’s uncomplicated joystick steering isn’t its only standout technology feature.

“The boat is all Bluetooth and (has) the latest and greatest of all the electronics,” Peege said. “You wouldn’t ever need a DVD player or anything like that. You can stream everything right off your phone, and everything will talk to each other.”

The boat boasts wireless charging on the helm armrests; electrical outlets conveniently spread throughout the cabin; a Fusion stereo; and bow speakers.

“It (also has) an electric sunroof right above the helm station on the back deck,” Peege said, “(and) a nice flat-screen TV — (and) the boat does have satellite TV. So, if you're out on a Sunday afternoon over in the Cove or on the Ohio River (and) you're a big NFL fan or something, (and) you want to watch a football game, you can. (You can also) watch movies at night or do whatever you want to do.”

He adds that there are a total of three flat-screen TVs throughout. Between the TVs, the air conditioning, and the heaters, the Grande Coupe can use a significant amount of energy — but it’s built to handle all that and more.

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“It does have a diesel generator in it,” Peege said, “so … you can run all those items when you’re away from dock.”

Compact comfort

Though the boat is less than 40 feet long, its carefully laid out floor plan packs in lots of seating and sleeping space, as well as storage. In the cabin, a storage cabinet sits above the microwave, with additional room for personal items in both the under-bed drawers and the under-bed mattress storage. The aft stateroom also features cabinet storage, as well as under-seating storage — and the twin berths can easily convert into a queen-sized bed.

“(The Grande Coupe) could sleep four comfortably,” Peege said, “and if you had to, you could probably get six in there.”

Up top, the boat’s galley cleverly integrates the salon and aft seating area, with everything needed to cook and entertain all in one place.

“On this particular boat,” Peege said, “Your refrigerator, your cooktops, (and) all that type of stuff are … all out on the back deck, but it’s still undercover. … It just really makes a lot of sense on the layout.”

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He adds that the type of layout used on the Grande Coupe is ideal but atypical.

“The front decks on (most of the sport cruisers around here) are raised up quite a bit, so … you have (to use something) like a ladder to get up,” he explained. “There (isn’t) any real comfort transition getting up to the bow. (This is) a little unique for boats that are around here. … (plus), it’s got all the amenities of home.”

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.

nuts & bolts

Home information: This is a 2022 Regal 36 Grande Coupe. It is 38 feet and 6-and-a-half inches long with an 11-foot, 6-and-a-half-inch beam. It is available at Marine Sales and Service Inc. MSRP is $573,185, according to Regal's website.

Distinctive elements: Windshield walk-through; salon doors; wireless charging; opening hardtop sunroof; multi-position bow seating; slide-away seating; low-to-the-water slim platform; canvas enclosure; seamless galley; forward cabin; convertible mid-cabin; largest-in-class head.

Louisville Boat, RV, & Sportshow

WHAT: This five-day event provides attendees with the opportunity to browse, board, order, and purchase from among the newest-model RVs, boats, and on-water and sporting accessories while enjoying family-friendly activities and jumpstarting outdoor summer adventures.

WHERE: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, South Wings A, B, and C

WHEN: 5-9 p.m., Jan. 26; noon to 9 p.m., Jan. 27-28; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jan. 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 30

TICKETS: Tickets are $12 for adults and children ages 13 and older; children ages 12 and younger are free when accompanied by a paying adult. A $2 discount on full-price admission is available when tickets are purchased online. All active/veteran military, active/retired first responders, health care professionals, and USCG & USCGA members can take advantage of free admission on Jan. 27 with a valid military/first responder/health care/USCG & USCGA valid identification card along with a photo ID at will call to receive a complimentary ticket.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Boat & RV show: 2022 Regal 36 Grande Coupe boat tour