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• Invincible 46 Pilothouse
• Four Winns TH36
• World Cat 400 CC-X
• Aquila 47 Molokai
• Twin Vee 400 GFX2

Invincible 46 Pilothouse 

The Pilothouse version of the Invincible 46 allows you to overnight in style and comfort, or enjoy weather protection en route to the fish, and the 1,000-gallon fuel capacity gives the boat incredible range. When we tested this boat with quad Mercury Racing 450s, we recorded a range of 593.9 miles while cruising at 40.7 mph at 4,000 rpm. Top speed, if you’re wondering, was 71.2 mph. But this angling platform is about so much more than just the performance numbers.

The Invincible 46 rides on a hybrid-­asymmetrical hull that combines the best of a proa cat’s efficiency with the wave slicing and ­stability of identical twin sponsons. The hulls are double-stepped to further improve efficiency and running attitude. This cat can handle heavy seas and provide comfort offshore on days when less-worthy boats are still in their slips.

The pilothouse allows the captain and crew to experience the ride in plush comfort. In addition to the helm seating and the aft U-shaped lounge, there is an aft row of captain’s chairs. However, you can delete the second-row seating and ­extend the lounge for a roomier feel. If you want some fresh air, the pilothouse opens up nicely with port and starboard sliding doors, helm and passenger sliding windows, and a power-sliding window on the aft bulkhead that opens the cockpit to the cabin. Belowdecks, there’s sleeping accommodations for four, plus a galley that can be custom-fitted to your needs.

Even with the pilothouse, Invincible bills this boat as having 360-degree fishability. There’s plenty of fish-fighting space in the cockpit and the bow, which can convert to a three-person sun pad when the lines are in. Bring all the bait you want with the dual 60-gallon transom livewells, along with the 70-gallon in-floor well. All are fed by a sea chest with six pumps to keep the bait fresh. A rigging station folds out of the mezzanine seatback so cleverly that we might have missed it in our initial inspection if it hadn’t been pointed out. Drawers and tackle-box slots keep gear, tools, and leader spools organized. Six shotgun rod holders on the transom will prove ideal for storage and rigging. There’s lockable rod storage under the gunwales too. The transom arrangement eschews a transom door, but Invincible has an inward-opening portside door for hauling fish to the deck.

Overall, the Invincible 46 Pilothouse is set up to be a badass long-distance fishing and cruising machine.

Four Winns TH36 

With an aggressively wide 14-foot-7-inch beam, the Four Winns TH36 packs a ton of creature comforts into this catamaran to exceed the needs of the typical dayboater. Start with the aft living room—er—cockpit, which rivals the setup of many backyard patios. The seating is genius; the cockpit lounges slide and lock in several positions, both with and without tables. Slide them outboard, and two L-lounges reside on each side of a central walkway. Slide them inboard, and you create a giant U-shaped lounge. At the cockpit’s forward end, large plush, upholstered double chaises face aft. It’s all one level from here, right up to the bow lounge. Amidships, a pair of counters to port and starboard house the galley. Lift the faux-stone lids to reveal a cooktop, sink and optional grill, with a fridge hiding underneath. The massive bow lounge provides even more social space for up to eight people.

The dual-console layout evokes the feel of a bowrider on steroids. The helm provides excellent visibility from the adjustable captain’s chair, from where the captain can observe twin MFDs mounted in a pod that extends from the top of the console without restricting the view beyond. We tested this boat with a pair of Mercury 350 Verados, achieving a top speed of 37.1 mph and a nice cruising speed of around 25 mph. With the twin hulls, we found the boat to be as smooth as silk while knifing through swells that might cause a similar-size V-hull to pound.

While designed primarily for ­daytime roaming, the TH36 is set up to also be an ­overnight cruiser. Two cabins with queen berths reside belowdecks, each with its own separate head and shower. So you and your guests, or a family of four, can enjoy some ­privacy when it’s time to draw the curtains.

The extended platform between the ­outboards proved to be a favorite feature. It’s a great spot for taking a dip at anchor when the engines are off, but it also makes for a great boarding spot, showing that the TH36’s comfort factor starts before you even leave the dock.

World Cat 400 CC-X 

An OG in the power-cat space, World Cat has been producing center- and dual-console fishing catamarans for decades. Coming out on the heels of its 40-foot dual-console, the 400 CC-X is the flagship of its center-console fleet.

With a 604-gallon fuel tank, the 400 CC-X can deliver a range of over 600 miles, as proved during test day when, powered by quadruple Yamaha F300s, we recorded a range of 611.6 miles at a 27.5 mph clip at 4,000 rpm. You can get to the blue water and back, or the Bahamas if you live in Florida, and still have fuel to fish along the way.

Because of its long length and wide beam, the 400 CC-X can fit three high-back seats with armrests at the helm. The captain’s place would be at the center seat, which adjusts electrically behind the brushed-aluminum Edson wheel with brodie knob. The three-­sided tempered-glass windshield provides wind and spray protection, while an electric opening vent at the top of the windscreen allows a breeze on hot days. Our test boat sported two 22-inch Garmin touchscreens—a trio of ­17-inch displays is also offered—that showed everything, from systems (lighting, pumps, etc.) to the engine readouts. The 400 CC-X comes with a key-fob control, so you can turn on the lights and systems while walking on the dock. Some thoughtful touches at the helm include a padded recess atop the dash to securely hold phones and glasses, plus a handy glove box with a drain.

In terms of fishy features, the 400 CC-X is stacked, with an inward-opening tuna door leading into the 200-square-foot cockpit, with padded coamings and nearly 30 inches of walk-around space past the console and T-top to chase fish. In the cockpit sole are a pair of 80-gallon insulated fish boxes (with overboard Grouper Gulper pumps) that can be optioned as bait tanks; another pair of 154-gallon fish boxes (5-by-2 feet) are forward. Up at the bow, there’s actually a casting platform that hides the Lewmar anchor windlass. Our tester boasted the optional Cat Track sliding seats forward, which can combine into a centerline coffin box, creating a sun pad, or separate into a U-lounge. So there’s definitely room to relax and chill. Rod capacity? There are four vertical holders on each side of the console, three rod racks on each side of the cockpit aft, six lockable racks forward, an ­additional six locking racks under each ­gunwale, plus six rocket launchers on the ­T-top—five behind the helm and 11 scattered around the bow. Bring your entire arsenal.

Aquila 47 Molokai

The largest of the cats in this roundup, the ­Aquila 47 Molokai can take on square-edged seas with aplomb. When we tested it with four Mercury 400 Verados on the transom, we pointed the bow through the inlet and took on some serious swells with nary a shudder. It can run far, fish hard, and cruise in comfort—all in one finely appointed package.

Aquila’s heritage stems from the ­cruising side, so we’ll start with all the amenities ­designed to keep you in comfort between ­marina runs. Tucked into the low-profile console is a fully outfitted air-conditioned cabin with a queen berth; 6 feet, 7 inches of headroom; big windows; overhead skylights; and a surprisingly spacious head with shower. The genset is powered by lithium batteries that provide eight hours of juice for cooling the cabin.

Abovedecks, the 47 Molokai is all ­fishing. There are 22 rod holders all around the gunwales, plus attached to the carbon-fiber hardtop and in piping along the hardtop stanchions. Twin 42.5-gallon livewells are built into the transom for your baits, and insulated 4-foot, 148-gallon macerating fish boxes hide under deck hatches along the console walkways.

Tucked under the carbon-fiber hardtop (reinforced for the optional Pipewelders tower) are seven Stidd seats: three up front behind the helm and four in the raised mezzanine to spectate the action. That helm is impeccable, from the eyebrowed black dash with twin (or triple) Garmin MFDs, C-Zone switching, custom Fusion audio, and Mercury joystick. Driving the 47 Molokai when equipped with 1,600 hp is an absolute blast. The double-stepped hulls keep the boat at a good attitude while running along at a crisp pace. We recorded a top speed of 66.5 mph with the throttles pinned, while still maintaining a range of 562 miles. Throttle back to a comfortable 48.1 mph cruising speed at 4,500 rpm, and the range jumps to 654 miles.

Overall, the Aquila 47 Molokai is a boat ­designed and built to go places.

Read Next: Six Boats Built for Adventure

Twin Vee 400 GFX2 

The new Twin Vee 400 GFX2 is the next generation of the builder’s GFX model, with many redesigned features and a new digital control system to make operation smooth and seamless.

As of press time, we haven’t been able to get on the Twin Vee 400 GFX2, the newest model in the lineup. But we will soon. Here’s what we know about the company’s flagship offering. This boat is designed to be an offshore fishing machine. It will feature more than 450 square feet of deck space, 2,500 quarts of insulated storage, 150-gallon livewell capacity, and plenty of space to fight and land fish.

Fishing-wise, the GFX will have twin 475-quart coffin boxes with stainless-steel inserts and two in-deck 700-quart fish boxes with macerators. There will also be four electric-­reel outlets if you’re looking to fish deep. For rod holders, there will be 10 mounted into the gunwales per side, plus eight more on the hardtop piping aft of the helm. The main cockpit will have a rear-facing tackle station to prep your arsenal. A starboard-side tuna door helps for landing large pelagics and doubles as a great spot for dockside ­boarding. The helm has triple captain’s chairs, with ­additional seating for three just aft. A fully enclosed windshield keeps the captain and crew protected from the elements. The dash has space to mount twin 22-inch MFDs. A freshwater head in the console and transom jump seats add to the creature comforts.

The 400 GFX2 can be powered by quad Mercury, Yamaha or Suzuki outboards up to 1,800 hp total. Depending on your power choice, cruising speed should be in the mid-40s, with top speeds in the high 60 mph range.

The post Five of the Top Power Catamarans appeared first on Boating Mag.

World Cat’s 260CC-X multihull center-console can handle up to 400 hp via twin Yamaha F200 or Mercury 200 FourStroke outboards fed by two 90-gallon fuel tanks. This cat boasts a covered 30-gallon livewell and a 30-gallon fish box. 

A wraparound glass windshield within the aluminum hardtop frame protects the helm. Standard electronics include a Garmin 12-inch multifunction display, Garmin VHF, and Fusion Apollo 670 stereo with six JL Audio 6 ½-inch speakers. A powder-coated aluminum helm leaning post includes four rod holders in the backrest and a Yeti Tundra 65 slide-out cooler below.

The 50-inch-wide transom bench folds down electrically to create an aft casting deck. A wraparound bow lounge converts to a forward casting platform. Hydraulic steering is standard, but World Cat offers an optional Dometic Optimus 360 power-steering-and-joystick system for Yamaha outboards, or Mercury’s DTS engine package with the Merc FourStroke engines. Pricing was unavailable at press time.

Specs

World Cat – Tarboro, North Carolina; worldcat.com

The post 2022 World Cat 260CC-X appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

After running the new World Cat 400CC-X, I came away humming an old Dinah Washington Grammy-winning song, but I changed it to “What a Difference a Deck Makes.”  

Why? Because World Cat has taken its solid, fast and well-proven 40-foot dual-console catamaran and redecked it as a center-console. I’d tested the 400DC-X and found it a terrific family-fun boat, with acres of room, plenty of seating, an enclosed head and buckets of speed.

Now as the 400CC-X, this center-console version is a serious war wagon that should delight anglers and terrify fish. This is no slapdash, throw-on-a-new-deck model, but a seriously designed fishing machine. The collective minds at World Cat burned the midnight oil to figure out what fishermen want and how to provide it all.

Interior and Accessories

Step aboard through the inward-opening tuna door (also perfect for docks and divers) and you’re in a 200-square-foot cockpit, with padded coamings and nearly 30 inches of walk-around space past the console and T-top to chase fish. In the cockpit sole are a pair of 80-gallon insulated fish boxes (with overboard Grouper Gulper pumps) that can be optioned as bait tanks; another pair of 154-gallon fish boxes (5-by-2 feet) are forward. By the way, all deck hatches have deep gutters, rubber seals and strong latches to keep out rain or washdown water.    

A foredeck gets used for so many reasons. The 400CC-X has one that is 117-by-51 inches, with pop-up cleats that disappear so you won’t trip. Under that casting platform is a Lewmar anchor windlass and ample stowage for chain and rode. Our tester boasted the optional Cat Track sliding seats forward, which can combine into a centerline coffin box, creating a sun pad, or separate into a U-lounge. Storage inside is plentiful.

The 400CC-X offers great rod stowage. I lost count at over 30, but there are four vertical holders on each side of the console, three rod racks on each side of the cockpit aft, six lockable racks forward, an additional six locking racks under each gunwale, plus six rocket launchers on the T-top—five behind the helm and 11 scattered around the bow. Ready for battle, the 400CC-X can bristle like a porcupine with rods everywhere.

To support all the rods, the 400CC-X has tidy plastic tackle boxes built into each side of the console for ready access. I don’t think it’s ever been proven that great sounds raise fish, but the World Cat has JL Audio speakers everywhere as well—10 total in the top, sides and forward.  

The helm is a wow moment, with three high-back seats with armrests, and the skipper’s middle seat adjusts electrically behind the brushed aluminum Edson wheel with Brody knob. The three-sided tempered-glass windshield provides wind and spray protection, while an electric opening vent at the top of the windscreen allows a breeze on hot days.  

Our test boat sported two 22-inch Garmin touchscreens—a trio of 17-inch displays is also offered—that showed everything, from systems (lighting, pumps, etc.) to the engine readouts. The 400CC-X comes with a key-fob control, so you can turn on the lights and systems while walking on the dock. Some thoughtful touches at the helm include a padded recess atop the dash to securely hold phones and glasses, plus a glove box with a drain. 

The T-top has beautifully welded and white-anodized supports, and the perfectly finished fiberglass top includes a built-in electronics box and deck lighting.   

The hinged door in the front of the console opens to reveal the private head, with a full fiberglass liner, 57 inches of headroom, a vanity with a freshwater sink and Corian counter, an electric-flushing marine toilet, and an opening portlight. The console panel also has more forward-facing seating with fold-down armrests.

Read Next: World Cat 400DC-X

Engines

With quad Yamaha F300s, our test boat hit 58.6 mph at 5,900 rpm. Based on a 10 percent safety margin for the 604-gallon tank, the 400CC-X has long legs. At a comfy cruising speed of 27.5 mph, it offers a range of 611 miles—a lot farther than I want to go without stopping, but it does put offshore canyons within easy reach. The outboards hang on Armstrong brackets with concealed plumbing, which leaves ample room to walk across the platform in front of them. 

If you’re shopping, another awesome fishing cat to consider is the Invincible 40, also available with quads for $824,900. 

I don’t know which was more fun: grabbing a handful of Yamaha throttles and nailing them (zero to 20 mph in 4.8 seconds), or twiddling the Yamaha Helm Master EX joystick and watching four outboards move in different directions to slide effortlessly into a tight slip against wind and current.  

There’s no question about it: The World Cat 400CC-X checks all the boxes for dedicated anglers.

High Points

• Fold-down deck platform at the helm adds stand-up height, and two foot-brace options fit anglers of all sizes.
• Recessed grab rails around the cockpit make leaning into the padded coaming comfortable.
• Pool-style rails for the swim ladder aft make it easy for returning swimmers or divers with gear.

Low Points

• Single wiper seems stingy and doesn’t clear the entire windshield. We’d prefer to see a pair of windshield wipers.
• Compass is low, small and distant atop the dash. 

How We Tested

• Engines: Quad Yamaha F300s
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Saltwater Series II 15″ x 20″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 250 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 800 lb.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

World Cat – Tarboro, North Carolina; 866-485-8899; worldcat.com

The post 2022 World Cat 400CC-X appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Swiss Army knife is an overused descriptive cliché, but in the case of the World Cat 400DC-X, it fits perfectly.

This new catamaran, powered by a pair of Yamaha’s mighty 425 XTO outboards, stands ready to serve its owner in any number of scenarios. The World Cat 400DC-X was designed to thrive as a multimission boat that would allow enjoyment of a variety of waterborne activities safely, reliably, and with the pride of ownership that comes from a boat put together with a top-notch build.

The World Cat 400DC-X is a great boat exactly because it’s so capable at so many things. If you want a walk-around center-console fishing machine, stop reading right here. (World Cat has one coming this fall.) But if you want a boat that has all the space you need for fishing out of the cockpit, casting off the bow, or for varied reasons of entertaining and family fun days afloat, the 400DC-X is your answer.

The World Cat has overnight accommodations that put most ­center-consoles to shame and, to make sure of my impression, I asked She Who Must Be Obeyed to take a look at the sleeping cabin and at the head compartment. In general, SWMBO believes that “roughing it” means slow room service, but her response to overnighting on a World Cat was: “That would be fun! Let’s go!”

That’s high praise from a single, discerning judge. But it’s not surprising. As I’ve already stated, the World Cat 400DC-X is going to please a multitude of boaters engaged in numerous activities afloat.

Here’s a closer look. You’ve deduced that this is a catamaran, which means buckets of stability and a lot less drag than a single-hulled boat of the same size. You’ve also figured out that the DC means dual console, so this is a bowrider on steroids, but with a ­nearly ­13-foot beam. Like a bowrider, there are two consoles with a center walkway, which can be closed off with a really slick sliding (not a clunky folding) windshield panel, plus a lower door. Unlike most bowriders, there’s room for two people to sit comfortably behind the helm on the electrically controlled bench-style seat, and another two can sit opposite, all thanks to the wide beam.

A perfect example of how the 400DC-X fits the needs of two parallel universes is aft in the cockpit. On our test boat, a 24-gallon livewell and built-in cooler with standard chiller plates was to port of the walkway to the stern platform, while a summer kitchen with pop-up Magma propane barbecue, generous sink and cutting board resided on the starboard-side. And with cockpit space that ought to be measured in acres, there’s room for everyone to do their thing. Fish over here, molest a burger on the ’cue over there, and then there’s the huge (38-inch) transom platform where, between the twin Yamaha outboards, there is a handy swim ladder so sturdy, it might have been nicked from a commercial dive boat.

Speaking of outboards, our test boat boasted a pair of the new Yamaha 425 hp XTO outboards that pushed its 15,000 pounds to an impressive 46.3 mph. The boat’s happy spot for cruising was at about 20 mph, when it was sipping just 15.5 gph for 1.25 mpg. Combine that with the two aluminum fuel tanks totaling 464 gallons, and that gives you, even with a 10 percent safety margin, a 522-plus-mile range. Islands, here I come!

So much cool stuff, so little time. Start at the bow, with a hidden anchor windlass and huge storage, plus wraparound seating for 12 with two electric tables that disappear into the floor if you want to bow-cast. The ­cockpit has a dinette for eight with electric seatbacks, and an entertainment center with fridge and sink, all protected by a sturdy fiberglass hardtop with an optional opening sunroof and standard extendable shade aft.

The port cabin has a comfortable 46-by-74-inch berth (larger than a twin), and it’s air-conditioned, as is the starboard head with 6 feet, 5 inches of headroom and a 3-by-4-foot shower stall with a 6-gallon hot-water heater that would encourage taking more leisurely showers.

The helm is masterful, with twin Garmin 17-inch monitors, and our test boat had the optional Yamaha Helm Master joystick. With a cat this size, it’s all about the ride, and the 400DC-X will give you more boating by letting you go out on even the nasty days. It’s solid and stable to the point of ho-hum.

If you’re shopping, check out the single-hulled Sea Ray 400 SLX with foldout sides for more space (about $536,000).

Our test boat had a 9 kW Fischer Panda diesel genset under the cockpit fed by a separate 24-gallon diesel tank. Huge undersole hatches provide great access to mechanical systems, and a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer is likely to be a popular option.

Fast, fun and multipurpose, the World Cat 400DC-X is actually a whole lot better than a Swiss Army knife because it does so many things so well.

High Points

• Points for great underdeck lockers for fenders, gear and just stuff.
• Clever sliding walk-through windshield solves pinched fingers forever.
• Multiple options allow customizing for diving, fishing or family fun.
• Single level from bow to stern, so no tripping.

Low Points

• Generator access is tight under the hinged dinette seat.
• Flip-up footrests on aft-facing cockpit seat are better replaced with drawers.
• Ankle-level panel for CZone breakers and battery switches is inconvenient.

Price: $848,943 (as tested)

Available Power: Outboard

How We Tested
Engine: Twin 425 hp Yamaha Offshore XTO outboards
Drive/Prop: XTO Offshore 16 7/8″ x 17″ stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.79:1
Fuel Load: 155 gal.
Crew Weight: 300 lb. plus optional Seakeeper

World Cat – Tarboro, North Carolina; 252-641-8000; worldcat.com

The post World Cat Offshore Catamarans 400 DC-X Boat Test appeared first on Boating Mag.

The rise of the dual console has paralleled the rise of luxury center-consoles and outboard-powered bowriders, in part because they are a combination of both. They have the functionality to entertain the family, the credibility to satisfy hardcore anglers, and the ability to roam far outside the inlet. In many ways, in the battle between fishing and family entertainment, it’s the perfect compromise. Perhaps no boat is better suited to meet that mission than a power catamaran like the World Cat 280 DC-X. The dual hull provides superior seakeeping and stability when compared to many monohulls of the same length and displacement, and the twin hulls allow World Cat to maximize deck space.

Note how wide and deep the bow seating is, made possible by the twin hulls allowing the beam to be carried all the way forward while still allowing each hull to maintain a sharp wave-slicing forefoot. No one will knock knees sitting forward in this boat. The same applies to the main cockpit, with double-wide seats at the helm and portside consoles. The portside backrest is adjustable to create a rear-facing recliner. The port console also hides a spacious head. The transom sports an aft jump seat that folds out of the way for fishing. On that note, the livewell, coaming bolsters, fore and aft rod holders, insole fish boxes, and hardtop rod holders and outrigger mounts will satisfy any angling itch.

Performance? We had plenty of tightly stacked 3-footers to contend with on test day, and the 280 DC-X handled them superbly whether we ran in head, following or quartering seas. In calmer waters, we hit a top speed of 46.5 mph at 5,500 rpm. Throttle back to 25 mph at 3,500 rpm and this boat has the range to run offshore all day.

Cats are not usually known for their dockside curb appeal, but the pickle-fork-bow look, frameless windshield design, sleek hardtop, rising sheer line and aft tumblehome give the 280 DC-X serious style points.

High Points

• Double-wide helm seat leaves room for a co-captain.
• Huge bow cockpit is deep and secure.
• Terrific water access from the aft platform thanks to the On-Ramp swim ladder between the two engines.

Low Points

• Optional SureShade is great for keeping guests cool but, even when retracted, makes it harder to access the hardtop rod holders.
• A boat made to handle rough seas would do well to add fiddles to the head and entertainment-center counters.

Toughest Competitor
Because it’s hard to find a comparable cat, take a look at a monohull like the Boston Whaler 270 Vantage ($222,309 with a Mercury 300 and joystick).

Price: $226,421 (as tested)

Available Power: Outboard

How We Tested
Engine: Twin 200 hp Yamaha F200 four-stroke outboards
Drive/Props: Outboard/Reliance 14 1/4″ x 18″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.86:1
Fuel Load: 145 gal.
Water on Board: 0 gal.
Crew Weight: 500 lb.

World Cat – Tarboro, North Carolina; 866-485-8899; worldcat.com

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We Say: Testing World Cat’s 295DC (Dual Console) gave us a chance to compare this hull with its predecessor, the 290DC, which we ran a year prior. World Cat elevated the space between the two sponsons by deepening the hull. The new model reached 30 mph in 6.4 seconds — one second quicker than the 290DC. The updated hull achieved a higher top speed — 47.7 mph versus 46.5 mph for its predecessor. The 295DC remained fairly flat while cornering with the SeaStar Solutions power-assist steering. The port console houses a head compartment with a VacuFlush toilet and vanity with a sink and freshwater faucet, as well as storage for four fishing rods (up to 7 feet). You’ll find a 30-gallon livewell abaft the port bench seat and a 185-quart insulated cooler/fish box abaft the helm seat.

A transom bench seat folds away. The aft swim platform allows you to fight a fish around the stern. There’s space to mount a single electronics display as large as 12 inches at the helm.

The biggest downside of a dual console is the inability to move along the rail while fishing. Yet, the 295DC compensates with wide-open fishing spaces and a hull that offers one of the smoothest rides you’ll find in any 29-footer. — Jim Hendricks

Who’d Want One: Offhsore anglers who also enjoy cruising with family.

Another Choice: Grady-White’s Freedom 285 ($219,745 with twin Yamaha F250s and Helm Master) is another dual console, but with a deep-V hull versus a catamaran hull.

Bottom Line: $207,955 (with twin Yamaha F300s); worldcat.com

The post World Cat 295DC appeared first on Boating Mag.

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

The post World Cat 290DC Dual Console appeared first on Boating Mag.

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

World Cat 290DC Dual Console

Let’s face it. As much as you think a new saltwater fishing boat is a basic necessity, not everyone sees life through the same pair of polarized sunglasses. Some might call a new fishing boat a luxury. (Gasp!) If this group includes your doubting spouse, you’ve got some splainin’ to do.

Instead of talking, try walking her through the newly redesigned 290DC Dual Console from World Cat, which combines what she likes and what you love aboard a stable, soft-riding catamaran hull.

Focus her attention on the softer side of the 290DC, starting with the wraparound seating for six in the open bow. While you ogle the integrated bow pulpit, anchor roller, Lewmar free-fall windlass and 225-quart forward fish box, point out to her the comfortable cushioned backrests and four stainless-steel drink holders.

Next, walk her slightly aft and open the 23-inch-wide acrylic door to reveal the head compartment inside the port console; then stand back as she admires the mirror and vanity with Corian countertop and stainless-steel sink, as well as the privacy of an enclosed privy with 15-gallon holding tank. Avoid mentioning that the head also provides access to the lockable rod locker, lest you reveal your ulterior motives.

Continue the tour with the helm deck, inviting her to nestle into the custom captain’s chair with its twin flip-up bolsters. Don’t get sidetracked by the huge area for flush-mounting a large multifunction display. Point out the full-width windshield that protects her from wind and spray, and the fiberglass hardtop to shade the family. You’ll like the hardtop’s six rail-mount rod holders and dual overhead electronics boxes. You might drift away thinking about the 185-quart fish box under the starboard seat or the 30-gallon livewell under the port seat.

Tell her about the cushions that fit the topsides of both the livewell and fish box, as well as the wraparound backrests and folding footrests. As the tour moves farther aft, show her the fold-down, cushioned jump seats in both corners of the cockpit. And if she asks about the six gunwale rod holders and cutting boards with knife-and-pliers holders on either side of the transom, quickly set up the optional pedestal dining table in the middle of the cockpit. That should distract her.

Next, walk her out to the swim platform. Don’t tell her how this lets you work a fish around the stern, but instead how the integrated handrails will allow the family to access the folding swim ladder to take a dip.

Pitch the tackle cabinets in each inwale and in each seat pod as great places to store her goodies like sunglasses, cell phone and sunscreen (as if she could find room amid all your fishing gear).

Both of you will appreciate the 290DC’s easy handling and seakindliness. We ran this 29-footer in stormy seas off Key Largo, Florida, with a pair of Suzuki’s new DF250AP V-6 outboards. Even in the rough stuff, it was delightful to skipper, thanks in part to the Teleflex SeaStar power-assist hydraulic steering.

The ride was pleasingly smooth in all sea directions on our blustery test day, though the 290DC rolled a bit more than I expected in the trough. Cats also have the odd tendency to pound a bit when idling up-sea, and the 290DC was no exception.

In calm waters, the 290DC accelerated from zero to 30 mph in 7.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 46.45 mph. Best fuel economy came at 3,500 rpm, where we achieved 1.83 mpg while cruising at 24.5 mph. We attribute the outstanding fuel efficiency in part to the Lean Burn Control technology in Suzuki’s new 4.0-liter 250 hp V-6s.

Looking for a comparable model? Grady-White’s Freedom 285 ($160,825 with twin Yamaha F250s) also combines fishing and family features in a dual-console design. It also has a similar top speed (46.97 mph) but achieves it as a V-hull.

The biggest downside of a dual console is the inability to move along the rail while fishing. But don’t be too disappointed; this might be the compromise you need to make to convince your spouse that a new fishing, uh, I mean family boat is more than just a luxury.

Comparable model: Grady-White Freedom 285

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Why? Two reasons. First, a prime DC benefit is the runabout-like bow cockpit. Since the twin hulls carry the beam forward, World Cat can put deep, secure seating for six up front. The adjustable bow table can be converted to create a sun lounge.

Second, the consoles line up with the deepest part of the hulls. That allows World Cat to put a real head with a pump-out tank in the port console.

For 2012, the 255DC’s transom has been slimmed down and now harbors two fold-down jump seats to either side of the walk-through. A 30-gallon livewell resides behind the helm seat, a 200-quart insulated fish box/cooler behind the portside seat. Flip up the jump seats and enjoy a 6-foot-3-inch by 4-foot fighting space in the cockpit, with toe rails and coaming bolsters.

The 255DC is a planing cat, with wide and flat running surfaces aft, so it’s faster than its semidisplacement Glacier Bay sisters and has no outboard lean in turns. The caveat is it has a bit bouncier ride and an increased chance of “sneeze,” spray blowing over the bow from the tunnel, which we experienced only once in a head sea while testing outside the inlet.

Who’d Want One: A fishing family wanting the ride of a cat and the comfort of a day boat.

Another Choice: Twin Vee’s bare-bones 26 Dual Console ($60,416 with twin Yamaha F150s) with options.

Bottom Line: $121,680; worldcat.com

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I tested this boat in the open ocean, facing a 3′ chop, then was blessed by the passage of a 70′-plus motoryacht. I already knew the three-footers were no challenge to this powercat’s dual-hull design, which packs air into the tunnel to cushion impacts and eliminate slams and bangs. So when that motoryacht went by, I shouted to everyone to hang on tight, firewalled the twin 225-hp Hondas, and pushed it well past 40 mph. I shouldn’t have bothered with the warning; the 29 DC met the vertical wall of green water, passed over it, and re-entered on the other side without slamming — earning a “Woo-hoo!” from everyone onboard.

Although most of the smooth-riding credit goes to the hull, some must also be chalked up to construction. World Cat molds major parts such as seat bases into the deck, and the hull and deck are fused together with methyl-methacrylate adhesive. The transom is formed with high-density Penske Board and is backed with aluminum plates. Hardware and hinges are secured with nylock aircraft-style locking nuts. Wiring is tinned copper with Deutsch connectors.

One thing about the 29 DC that surprised me was the absence of sneezing (a fine mist blowing out of the tunnel). World Cat says its Hydro-Ram pod under the foredeck creates a vacuum that inhales sneezes before they can exit the tunnel. Handling was crisp but different from a monohull. Most noticeable is the flat or slight banking in the turn, but that outboard lean of yesteryear’s cat designs is finally history.

Although DCs are usually thought of as multipurpose boats, not pure fishboats, all the angling features you need are onboard: a large integrated fishbox, lighted livewell, under-gunwale rodracks, and 12-volt plugs in the cockpit for your electric reels. Plus, there’s a locking rodbox in the port side head compartment, and there are spool holders for your leader under a cockpit inwale hatch. So whether you’re dropping hooks or doling out drinks, the 29 DC can handle it.

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