WorldCat 265 DCX — Captain's Report (Inspection)

Source: BoatTEST.com Inspection Review, Captain Tripp

Overview

This inspection was conducted with the boat out of the water on a trailer, offering a viewing angle Captain Tripp noted is atypical for BoatTest reviews: "Most of the time when I show up to a boat, it's sitting in the water. But with this out of the water on the trailer, we can look under here and we can see just how expansive these hulls are, what that tunnel actually is, how the cat hulls are designed, the strakes and everything that make this a great-riding boat." He added that he has driven this model in extreme conditions previously and was "super impressed."

The review is structured as a pre-departure inspection followed by a features walkthrough.

Coast Guard Compliance

Captain Tripp's stated first step for any outing: "I'm going to be sure that the boat is US Coast Guard compliant. There's a list of things you need to have on board in order to be safe and legal for the day. That's the first thing you need to check."

Mechanical Space Inspection

As a catamaran, the boat has two separate mechanical spaces.

Items checked:

• Bilge pumps: Confirmed functional
• Through-hulls: Captain Tripp initially expected none, but located one, accessible, and confirmed operation by hand: "I can easily access it. And I'm going to twist that lever, and so my seacock works. I've just verified that. That's important. You need to be able to reach those in case you do have an issue. You need to be able to turn those off quickly."
• Batteries: Covered with boots, which were additionally zip-tied
• Breakers: Easily reachable and labeled. Captain Tripp: "That just makes things simple, because if you're in a pinch, you need to hit that breaker really quick, you can find it."
• Hydraulic steering pumps and fittings: Easy to reach. Captain Tripp's stated rationale for checking: "It's wise to familiarize yourself with the system so you see where all those connections are, because that's going to be your most likely failure points that you can do something about while you're underway."

Transom / Propulsion

• Engines: Twin Mercury 200 V6s. Captain Tripp's stated expectation: "Should push the boat along really well."
• Hydraulic steering system (continued inspection at transom): No fluid drips noted in the splash wells

Pre-Departure Helm Checklist

Captain Tripp's stated sequence: engage kill switch, activate Mercury display screens, then start engines once in the water.

Helm assessment (dockside, prior to launch):

• Compass mounted on centerline
• Standing visibility described as good; seated (bolster) visibility also confirmed good
• Wheel and throttle reach confirmed comfortable from the seated position for long runs
• VHF radio positioned within easy reach and audible range — Captain Tripp noted: "Monitoring 16 is a pretty important thing to do while underway as well."

Dash equipment:

• Push-button switches for frequently used items
• Large optioned Garmin screen (noted as useful for tracking fish)
• Mercury engine display screen
• Fusion audio head unit, paired with premium JL Audio speakers
• Stainless steel wheel with a turning knob for tight-quarters control
• Windlass control at the helm, for anchoring at a sandbar or offshore near a reef
• Cup holder and a small cubby beneath the armrest for personal items — Captain Tripp: "I kind of appreciate having that as a captain."
• Armrests, which Captain Tripp characterized as important: "Especially for those long days and those long runs, and keeping you safe and secure in the boat, in your seat, while you're underway."

Anchor System

Captain Tripp's framing: "Another very important piece of equipment on a boat that I think is often overlooked is the anchor."

• Anchor: Delta plow, mounted on a roller at the bow centerline. Captain Tripp's assessment: "If I drop that in pretty much any condition, it's going to hook and it's going to set. Even if the boat spins, it's still going to hold."
• Rode storage: Port-side locker, with a remote for deploying/retrieving the anchor from the bow
• Hatch construction (noted quality detail): Undersides are finished (not raw glass/resin) and gasketed. Captain Tripp: "That's a good sign of a quality builder."

Storage Lockers / Navigation Lights

• Starboard locker: Large storage cavity, suited to water toys, fenders, or dock lines
• Navigation lights: Confirmed present — Captain Tripp noted checking these before departure as important
• Cleats: Pop-up style, positioned around the entire boat

Bow Seating Area

As a catamaran, the beam carries far forward, providing a large U-shaped seating area.

Storage beneath seating: Accessed by lifting cushions to reach a latch. Captain Tripp's reaction to the storage volume: "Once you do open it up, I was really shocked at how much room is under here. Holy moly, that's a lot of room in there... There truly is a lot of room down here for inflatables, beanbags. You could just go wild in here."

Additional storage: Present beneath an adjacent hatch, along with easy access to the back of the dash — described as zip-tied and labeled.

Drainage detail: A drain system serves this forward hatch specifically, so rain or spray does not accumulate in the hatch or on the deck.

Bow lounging features:

• Grab handles on either side
• Armrests
• Cup holders, USB ports, JL Audio speakers
• Table mounting bracket
• Sunshade covering the entire bow seating area, running from the hardtop to bow-mounted poles

Head Compartment

Captain Tripp noted WorldCat's attention to this space: "WorldCat did not forget to give plenty of space for that."

• Electric flushing toilet
• Full-closing door for privacy
• Light positioned above dedicated bow table/pedestal storage and a filler cushion
• Noted secondary use: "This would also be a private place to change from your swimsuit to some dinner wear if you're heading to the restaurant for the evening."
• Storage cubby on the back of the head door
• Glove box, molded footrest, cup holder
• Small port-side cubby and dual USB ports

Convertible Seating (Near Head)

Convertible to a sun pad, with underneath storage accessed via a paddle latch. Captain Tripp noted this design positively relative to typical convertible seating: "Not only is this convertible to a sun pad, it has storage underneath." With the backrest in forward-facing position, it creates an additional rear-facing cockpit seat; alternatively, the seat tucks away entirely for fishing mode.

Starboard Prep Station (Behind Helm)

Suited to either cocktail preparation or fishing use.

• Cup holders and countertop space
• A bin, which Captain Tripp suggested would likely serve as a trash can in his own use
• Tackle storage and a small drawer for tools (pliers, knives)
• Slide-out YETI cooler at the base, doubling as an additional seat

Freshwater / Raw Water Systems

• Freshwater outlet: Hose hookup with pressurized freshwater available via pump
• Raw water outlet (port side): Draws from fresh or saltwater depending on location. Captain Tripp explained the use case: "Let's say you're fishing and you're offshore. You can use that to rinse the blood off initially, and then at the end of your day, that's when you use your freshwater."
• Bait well: Located further aft, mirrored on the port side

Aft Cockpit

• Additional pop-up cleat, cup holder/rod holder combo
• Jump seats, which in the up position reveal bolsters and open floor space
• Transom: Folds down entirely to open direct access to the large swim platform

Hardware quality note: Captain Tripp highlighted the fastening method for a hatch supporting a gas strut: "The bolts are just going to give a lot more strength, and they're going to last you a lot longer because we all know that screws eventually are going to start to vibrate and back out and pull out, and that's not something you want on a boat like this."

Swim Platform

• Freshwater fill and wastewater pump-out
• Pressurized freshwater rinse
• Shore power hookup: Captain Tripp noted this as a valued convenience for a boat this size: "If you tow this thing home, back it into the garage, you plug it in, you know it's going to be ready for your next day on the water."
• Boarding ladder system: Beefy handrails plus a substantial ladder that flips up and secures magnetically to the rail backs. Captain Tripp's assessment: "This is a fantastic design for coming in and out of the water."

Hardtop (Dual Console Configuration)

Captain Tripp noted a general advantage of the dual-console ("DC") layout: "One of the advantages when you have a dual console is you generally get a larger hardtop than you would for a center console. If you're spending a lot of time on the boat, a lot of days in the sun, this oversized hardtop can be appreciated. And myself, I appreciate things like that."

Construction: Metal components are powder-coated. The aft end of the hardtop includes six rod holders and an attachment point for towing water sports.

Closing Assessment

Captain Tripp's summary: "While this is a large boat with plenty of room for families and fishing, it's not too large that it's intimidating, and it's still manageable for pretty much anyone to operate."