April 08, 2020
By Florida Sportsman Editor
Since the day the first catamaran fishing boats appeared on the US market there have been two distinctly different camps with regard to the pros and cons of this hull design. It seems many fans who have embraced the performance characteristics a cat provides are die hard advocates of all things catamaran. Conversely, there are those who aren't so quick to get on board for a number of reasons such as aesthetics for starters. To address this concern, World Cat has successfully gone to great lengths to improve the appearance of what was formerly a very boxy looking hull outline and the modern look of their entire inventory is much sleeker and more stylish than the cat boats of yesterday.
Another trait, and one that many find unsettling at first is the running behavior of these hulls. Catamarans have a tendency to really grip the water surface in a turn and rather than leaning to the inboard side of a turn, will actually remain level and dig into the outboard arc of your turn. This is contrary to what feels natural to anyone who has logged much time running a mono-hull. Until you spend a day behind the wheel on a catamaran, you're likely to be a little freaked out by this habit. Once you get over the fear of the unknown however you quickly begin to see the many benefits of this hull design. From the easy ride to the amount of deck space and storage, the benefits are hard to overlook; even for the most skeptical traditionalist.
The World Cat 295 CC has lots to offer in a very roomy and comfortable layout. One of the first things you notice about this design is the amount of room you have to work in. The usable space they fit into 275 square feet of deck in this model makes it feel like a larger boat. The forward seating area on the bow deck is a U-shaped wraparound bench, built for five adults to sit comfortably around. An added wide body single fold-down seat is attached to the console face. The ability to fold the single seat down adds significantly more room to more easily work around the console moving forward while you're fishing and the wrap seating is wide and comfortable for lounging while also providing a wide enough surface to stand on while working lines around the bow. The addition of a bow filler panel creates a fully raised casting platform as well as a Sun Lounge for cruising or relaxing at the sandbar. Beneath the forward seats, a pair of matching insulated compartments (each 210-quarts) can be used to keep food, drinks, or your catch chilled as well as fulfilling your dry storage needs.
A large console interior features a marine head as well as plenty of extra dry storage space. The fiberglass hardtop offers abundant shade and protection from the wet elements behind a three-sided glass enclosure ahead of the helm. The helm panel is large enough to accommodate twin 12-inch MFD's with room to spare and Llebroc helm and companion seats are built above a 40-gallon live well which will keep a full day's supply of baits happy. Alongside the console below deck are matching 300-quart insulated fish holds to add storage along with a capacity to ice your catch and bait sufficiently for extended duration expeditions.
The cockpit is roomy enough for multiple anglers to work within and offers easy transit to the transom platform for anglers and divers. World Cat's “On-Ramp” boarding ladder might be the easiest method for divers to access the water available on any outboard powered boat. The 295 CC rigged with Taco 380 Grand Slam outriggers is among the most fishable designs offered by this company. Like every World Cat model, most luxury features are included as standard equipment. Additional personalization such as paint colors, audio equipment and electronics are available as options but each of these boats are heavily appointed from the factory.
With twin 300-horsepower Yamahas the 295 CC springs immediately to life upon acceleration without a hint of bow rise and offers 2-MPG fuel economy at 30-MPH. A top speed in the low 50's still provided 1.0-MPG. This boat is a great example of the roominess and comfort this hull style has to offer and as a fishing or dive platform that doubles as a weekend family cruiser, you'd be hard pressed to find anything to complain about after spending a day on one.
World Cat 295 CC Specifications
Length: 29-feet 1-inch
Beam: 9-feet 6-inches
Draft: 15-inches
Dry Weight: 8500-pounds (w/power)
Maximum Horsepower: 600
Fuel: 233-gallons (2-116.5)
Fresh water: 25-gallons
Base price: $238,563
The unique handling characteristics of a twin hull boat are a bit of an adjustment for some but once you feel the soft head sea ride of the 295 CC you'll never look back.
The unique handling characteristics of a twin hull boat are a bit of an adjustment for some but once you feel the soft head sea ride of the 295 CC you’ll never look back.
The forward seating design with forward facing backrests leaves plenty of legroom to stretch out and relax.
World Cat’s signature “On-Ramp” boarding steps design seen from this angle demonstrates why these boats are so popular with the diving crowd.
The center console versions of these boats and the 295 CC in particular are more fish-centric than their other dual console cousins.
A flip-up gunwale styled hatch forward reveals secure rod storage for multiple sticks.
The 295 CC offers a step inside console featuring abundant dry storage space and an electric flushing marine head.
World Cat builds this helm for maximum protection from the elements and view-ability behind a three-sided glass enclosure.
Conveniently located for easy access behind you at the helm, this electronic mother panel for battery switching and circuit breakers is at your fingertips at all times.
A total of 275 square feet of working space leaves plenty of room to move around on deck.
The space under gunwales is fully utilized for storage from bow to stern on this fishing rig.
Easy access to tackle storage is wisely configured in the working space of the cockpit.
Dual cockpit fold-up jump seats can be deployed for riding or stowed to free up fishing space.
