World Cat 280DC-X

Even in the boating world, there is room for the phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

World Cat knows that catamarans aren’t the sexiest boats; but as any true romantic knows, looks aren’t everything.

Take the new World Cat 280DC-X for example. Based on the wildly successful launch of the 280CC-X, designers took the obvious attributes of a cat — a soft ride, high speed performance, better than double the fuel economy of a traditional boat — and began sketching ways to soften the outward appearance of a shape that is rectangular. 

They added a modern frameless windshield and upgraded upholstery, included a stand-up head, did a nip/tuck to exterior lines, and ended up with selling features no one else can claim.

First, there is more stability at rest. Buoyancy is found in the outer edges of the boat instead of the middle. That translates into less roll when drifting or trolling and superior stability when entertaining at the dock.

Cats don’t draw much water, which is an advantage if you operate in skinny water. Fuel efficiency is outstanding. With a pair of twin Yamaha F200s and a full load of 220 gallons of fuel, the 280DC-X gets 2 mpg at 30 mph, and better than 1 mpg at a wide-open speed of 49 mph.

World Cat beefed up the helm with a Garmin interface, and an optional Optimus 360 electronic steering and joystick. Because its outboards are spaced wider than a traditional dual console, the boat is easy to maneuver in tight quarters. The joystick makes the task simple for novice skippers. 

Enter the water for swimming, diving, fishing or watersports from a dedicated swim platform with a built-in stainless ladder featuring hoop-like handrails. This makes reboarding safe and easy for those of us who find telescoping ladders physically challenging. 

Standard equipment includes a leaning post with a 30-gallon livewell and tackle stowage, wraparound bow seats with insulated stowage below and twin 355-quart fishboxes that double as rod lockers. Easy mechanical access to pumps, hydraulics and batteries is located through a hatch in the cockpit sole.

World Cat’s 280DC-X is an all-around family boat that can fish hard and deliver a smooth ride and solid performance.