Boat Review - World Cat 280 DC-X
April 18, 2019
By Florida Sportsman Editor
Riding on the wave of popularity demonstrated by their 280 CC-X from last season, new from World Cat is their 280 DC-X Dual Console. The once extremely common dual console design prior to the invention of the center console, was back then, and continues today to be a very practical design. After falling out of style for a time, the resurgence of popularity of this deck layout is clearly not a passing trend and based on sales numbers from World Cat showing roughly two to one preference for this deck layout, the old venerable DC is not going anywhere this time around.
Its popularity is clearly driven by the versatility of this design for a multi-use total boating “Lifestyle” platform. Offering the renowned World Cat ride, tremendous capacity for passengers, comfortable seating and lounge area from stem to stern, abundant shade, fishability, and what is probably the most user friendly deck plan for diving one could have in a boat, the 280 DC-X packs a lot of appeal into 28 feet.
Beginning forward, the U-shaped bow seating area wraps around facing inward from three sides and can be configured as a dining social area for six by adding a removable table at center deck. Remove the table and add a drop in filler pad to form a roomy sun lounge for two with comfortable forward facing backrests. Beneath the port side seat cushion is a 180-quart insulated storage compartment with overboard drain. An integrated through-hull concealed anchor windlass is standard equipment and features a fresh water wash-down hose to clean off ground tackle before storing. A very large storage area is accessed through an upward lifting hatch at the front of the starboard console.
At amidships abundant shade is created by a stylish fiberglass hard top framed by a surfboard egg shaped rail edge and trimmed in powder coated pipework. A heavy duty acrylic three panel windshield opens at the center for passage fore and aft and separates the forward area from the helm, offering good weather protection while driving through inclement conditions by closing the glass and lower divider. The port side console features a nicely trimmed head enclosure with a fresh water head, Corian counter top around a sink with pull out shower. An extremely comfortable double-wide cockpit seat converts from forward to rear facing reclined at multiple positions by the use of a foot pedal control lever. This seat also conceals a 20-gallon live baitwell. An open air galley sink with a drink cooler below sits behind the helmsman.
In the cockpit there is plenty of work space for either fishing or diving and a fold up rear transom bench seat makes an ideal spot to gear up for a dive. The transom platform on the 280 DC-X is perfectly suited for divers via the use of the World Cat “On-Ramp” dive ladder which is more like an easy set of stairs to transit to and from the water.
Loading their boats with features for both sports and leisure combined with the soft Catamaran ride that people have come to expect seems to be a winning strategy for World Cat and the 280 DC-X is no exception to this rule.
World Cat 280 DC-X Specifications
Length: 27 feet 6 inches
Beam: 9 feet 2 inches
Hull Draft: 14 inches
Dry Weight: 7250 pounds with twin 200's
Maximum Horsepower: 400
Fuel: 220 gallons
This aerial view of the 280 DC from World Cat clearly shows three separate zones for relaxation and recreation forward, amidships and aft.
The forward open air lounge setting configured here for dining, illustrates nicely the usefulness of this design for cruising and picnics.
A forward opening access point to the starboard console reveals loads of dry storage options.
The starboard helm position tucks the driver in nicely out of the weather behind a heavy duty acrylic wind screen.
This Wide Helm Chair can be converted for seated, leaning, or standing positions while driving with armrests up or down.
This roomy lounge seat under shade converts to the reclined position facing forward as well as aft easily.
Within the port console a fresh water electric head and pull out shower are accented in wood trim and a Corian counter top.
A mini sport galley behind the helm position is perfect for making lunches or rigging fishing tackle.
A retractable sunshade is handy at the sandbar during the hottest mid-day hours.
A 20-gallon live well is available beneath the port cockpit lounge seat for anglers in the family.
The World Cat “On Ramp” dive step system is arguably the most practical design available to board swimmers and divers.
Base price: $225,000.00
