World Cat Boats for Sale
World Cat calls itself the largest builder of power catamarans in the world. Its twin-hull center and dual consoles are built in Tarboro and Greenville, North Carolina, and they ride differently from anything with a V hull.
From Greenville to Tarboro
The first World Cat was built in Greenville, North Carolina in 1998. That fall the brand launched with three models: the 246 Sport Fisherman, the 266 Sport Cuddy and the 266 Sport Fisherman. In 2000 the 246DC dual console came out, and a World Cat won the Bermuda Challenge from Norfolk to Bermuda. In 2001 the company bought a new plant and started moving production to Tarboro, where it is still based in a 140,000-square-foot facility.
In 2009 HC Composites, the company behind World Cat, bought Glacier Bay Catamarans of Seattle and moved its production to Tarboro. World Cat says the Glacier Bay boats are where its hull design traces back to, more than 25 years ago in the Pacific Northwest. It bought Livingston Catamaran Boats the same year.
Models by size
- 230CC and 230DC (from 2011): World Cat's move into the inshore market. The 230DC is 22'7" with 89 gallons of fuel.
- 230SD (2015): the first World Cat built mainly for family cruising, not fishing.
- 235TE (2024): a smaller tournament edition, and the 235HB hybrid added for 2026.
- 260CC-X, 260DC-X, 265CC-X and 265DC-X: mid-size boats added from 2022 on.
- 280CC-X and 280DC-X (from 2017): 27'6" with a 9'2" beam, 220 gallons of fuel and a 450 hp maximum on twin outboards. World Cat lists a cruise of about 29 mph at 2.0 mpg with twin 200s.
- 320CC, 320DC and 320EC: the 320DC was billed as the largest outboard dual console on the market when it came out in 2016.
- 400DC-X and 400CC-X (from 2019): the 40-foot flagship hull.
Older names like the 246SF, 266SC and 33TE show up regularly on the used market too. The 33TE, launched in 2002, was among the first boats with Suzuki's 300 hp four-strokes.
Buying a used catamaran
Two of everything. Every World Cat runs twin outboards, one per hull. Check hours and service records for both engines and make sure they're close. If one engine is newer, find out why.
Both hulls. Each hull is its own compartment. Open the hatches on both sides and look for water, corrosion on pumps and wiring, and signs of repairs. Look at the tunnel between the hulls for impact damage and gelcoat cracks.
Ride in a chop. The main reason people buy a cat is the ride in a head sea. On a sea trial, take it into some chop and listen for creaks or slamming in the tunnel.
Trailering. A twin-hull boat needs a trailer built for it. Check that the bunks support both hulls evenly, and note the width. The 280 is 9'2" wide.
Salt systems. These are coastal boats. Flush the engines, run the washdown, livewell and bilge pumps, and check the steering for stiffness.
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Frequently asked questions
Where are World Cat boats built?
In Tarboro and Greenville, North Carolina.
Do World Cats have one engine or two?
Two. Each hull carries its own outboard.
What is the World Cat 280CC-X?
A 27'6" center console catamaran introduced in 2017, with a 9'2" beam, 220 gallons of fuel and a 450 hp maximum.
Is World Cat related to Glacier Bay?
Yes. World Cat's parent bought Glacier Bay Catamarans in 2009, and World Cat traces its hull design back to the Glacier Bay boats.