World Cat 280DC-X (2019-)

Brief Summary

The World Cat 280DC-X is a far larger boat than 28’ (8.53 m) monohulls and is better suited for offshore work. She has a large bow seating area for entertaining when not fishing. Her aft cockpit serves well for both fishing and entertaining. The hardtop can have isinglass added to make it a three season boat.

Key Features

• Resin infused hull
• Dual fuel systems
• Robust swim ladder and platform
• Stand-up head

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	27ʹ 6'' / 8.38 m
Beam	9ʹ 2'' 2.79 m
Dry Weight	6,272 lbs. 2,845 kg
Tested Weight	8,390 lbs. 3,806 kg
Draft	14ʺ 0.35 m
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	8ʹ 4'' 2.54 m
Person Capacity	11
Fuel Capacity	220 gal. 833 L
Water Capacity	16.5 gal. 62 L
Total Weight	8,390 lbs. 3,806 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	7.1 sec.
0 to 30	8.4 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	14 1/4 x 18 3-blade
Load	2 persons, 1/2 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	88 deg., wind: light; seas: light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 200-hp Yamaha L4 200 4-stroke
Std. Power	2 x 200-hp Yamaha Digital 4-strokes with Command Link Plus
Opt. Power	Not Available

Captain's Report Learn More
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Contents of Report

• Mission Statement

• Major Features

• Features Inspection

• The Bow

• The Cockpit

• The Helm

• Performance

• Handling

• Options to Consider

• Observations

Mission Statement

World Cat has designed the 280DC-X to be a do-everything catamaran that can meet the demands of an active on-water family. She can be set up with a slant more toward cruising or fishing or a combination of both with spacious bow seating, a large open aft cockpit and a private head. Her catamaran design offers a smooth ride in myriad conditions and fuel efficiency.

Major Features

• Large bow seating area
• Four-position backrest for port cockpit lounge
• Step-in storage compartment in starboard bow
• Standard fiberglass hardtop
• Stand-up head

Features Inspection

The Bow. When we approached the 280DC-X, we couldn’t help but notice the size of the bow area. It measures 6’ (1.8 m) wide and the side lounges are 4’9” (1.5 m) long. There are cupholders, grabrails, storage compartments, and USB plugs in each gunwale. An optional filler cushion, table, and sun shade for the bow are available.

The forward cockpit is 33” (83 cm) deep.

Bow Storage

Beneath the port-side bow cushion is a 180-quart (170 L) insulated compartment that drains overboard, making it a good candidate for use as a fishbox. To starboard, the forward backrest pulls up on hinges to open a walk-in storage compartment. There’s a dedicated spot for a 5-gallon (19 L) bucket and plenty of space, plus access to the helm rigging. Ahead in the 280DC-X’s foredeck are two large hatches with two pull-up cleats in between. The windlass is in the starboard compartment with the washdown hose coiled in a rack to port.

The Cockpit

The Head. With the dual-console design, the center section of the windshield opens to make it easy to pass aft into the 280DC-X’s cockpit. The port console opens to provide entry into the boat’s private head that has a freshwater toilet with a 9-gallon (34 L) holding tank and overboard discharge. A sink in a Corian countertop and a pull-up shower rounds out the picture.

The Helm. Across from the port console, the helm has space for a 12” (30.5 cm) multifunction display and to the right is the Yamaha Command Link Plus engine display screen. Accessory switches are across the top of the panel with the Fusion stereo centrally located beneath the compass. The button for the optional windlass is to the left of the tilt steering wheel. The helm seat is 24” (61 cm) wide and 20” (50.8-cm) deep with the bolster down and 11” (27.9 cm) deep with it up.

Cockpit Amenities. Abaft the helm seat, the 280DC-X has a small wet bar that comes standard with a sink and removable cooler and can be upgraded with a grill and refrigerator. To port is the most versatile seat on the boat, a lounge with a backrest that can be moved into four different positions that let passengers travel in seated positions or lay out flat to catch some rays.

Aft to starboard, a 40” (101.6 cm) long bench seat folds into the transom when not in use. With the seat folded out of the way, the cockpit measures 8’ (2.4 m) wide and an average of 5’ (1.5 m) fore to aft. There are rod holders in the gunwales and rocket launcher-style units on the back of the fiberglass hardtop. In the center of the transom is a 19” (.48 m)-wide gate that provides easy access to the launch ramp swim platform and heavy-duty ladder.

Cockpit Storage and Access. If an owner opts for the livewell in the port seat base, cockpit storage is pretty much spoken for on the 280DC-X. Twin in-deck hatches provide access to the bilge with the batteries and trim pumps to starboard and livewell pumps to port.

Performance

The Numbers. The 280DC-X’s empty weight is said to be 6,272 lbs. (2,845 kg). With two people, 120 gallons (454 L) of fuel and test gear aboard, we had an estimated test weight of 8,390 lbs. (3,806 kg). The engines were spinning 14 ¼” x 18” three-blade Yamaha stainless-steel propellers. We wound up the twin 200-Yamaha outboards up to 5500 rpm where we saw 48.5 mph.

Best cruise came at 3000 rpm, where we recorded 20.5 mph and 8.6 gph, which translated into 2.1 mpg and a range of 474 statute miles with 10 percent of the boat’s 220-gallon (833 L) fuel capacity in reserve. In acceleration tests, the boat planed in 7.1 seconds and ran to 30 mph in 8.4 seconds. At 600 rpm, she ran 2.0 mph and at 1000 rpm, we recorded 5.0 mph.

Handling

World Cat designs the 280DC-X’s VectorFlo bottom with a pod forward in the hull that helps break up incoming water and aerate it to help reduce friction and create lift. The company says this provides a softer ride and the cushioning affect actually increases when the water gets rough.

We tested in a light chop and the twin bow’s sharp entries cut through the waves effortlessly. In turns, the boat leans into maneuvers with confidence and felt responsive and predictable. Around the docks, having the motors spread out on the transom gave them plenty of influence to move the boat where we wanted it to go.

Construction. World Cat builds the 280DC-X with resin infusion for ideal saturation of the laminate. The process starts with hand-applied gelcoat and a vinylester barrier coat to protect against osmotic blistering. This is followed by a fine skin coat and then bi- and tri-directionally woven cloth applied by hand and overlapped in high-stress areas.

A layer of 36-ounce woven roving is applied chine to chine. Bulkheads and stringers are formed out of high-density composite, as is the transom, which is beefed up with aluminum plates to support engine mounts. Voids are filled with foam after the stringers and hulls are glassed into the hull. The deck is bonded to the hull and stringer tops to create a structural grid.

Warranty. 10 Years Limited Lifetime.

Options to Consider

• ProMariner ProSport 20plus 3-bank waterproof chargers
• Fishing package with 20-gallon (76 L) livewell and rocket launcher rod holders on hardtop
• Bow filler cushion
• Bow table
• Snap-down woven Sea Grass cockpit flooring
• Cockpit grill, 1,300-watt with two batteries and inverter charger
• Cockpit refrigerator
• Helm windshield wiper and rinse
• LED underwater lights
• Optimus electronic steering
• Optimus 360 System with electronic steering, seastation, joystick, and Seaways Autopilot
• SureShade retractable canvas
• Taco marine 380 Grand Slam XL top-mount outriggers with 16’ (4.9 m) or 18’ (5.5 m) carbon fiber poles
• Taylor Made bow shade
• Enclosure tracking on windshield

Observations

For the cruising family, the World Cat 280DC-X has plenty to offer with its spacious bow, abundant storage and comfortable ride. Anglers will also appreciate the handling and performance when they head offshore. Once they’re on the bite, the large cockpit and multiple rod holders should satisfy anglers needs.

For divers, the aft ladder is one of the most robust we’ve seen for reboarding in full gear.