There are three basic hull designs in the power catamaran class. Full Displacement Hull

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Justina Oliver
6 years ago
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1 power catamaran C O M P A R I S O N G U I D E A n y t i m e A n y w h e r e A n y W e a t h e r

2 A History of Proven Performance Although relatively new to the US market, the catamaran is one of the world s oldest hull design concepts. Originating from an area where rough seas presented numerous challenges, South Pacific natives developed the twinhulled catamaran to move quickly, efficiently and comfortably with greater stability from island to island. In more recent years, the popularity of the Cat design has grown as boaters in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have embraced the Power Catamaran design as the preferred hull for navigating and fishing some of the wildest seas in the world. So you may be asking yourself, If the Cat design is so much better, why hasn t it caught on here in the United States? Good question. Let s talk about that now. The Long-Distance Runner There s a commonly held belief that the first sprinter off the line typically wins the race. In the case of the Cat design, monohulls in the US have a substantial head start in terms of when the design was invented. Decades of marketing have embedded the V-shape monohull image in boaters minds, creating the [mis]perception that because it s the most prevalent hull, it must be the safest and most reliable as well. Yet, over the past years, many educated, more experienced boaters have discovered the advantages, intelligence and real beauty of the Cat design. Current Cat buyers have historically owned makes such as Grady White, Boston Whaler and Pursuit all premium quality boats. They chose to leave behind those makes for the smoother, more fuel-efficient and stable ride of the Cat design, knowing they won t be sacrificing comfort or quality, even when moving to a smaller Cat design. In the end, it s not a sprint, it s really a cross-country race where the efficiency, comfort, safety and speed of a Cat wins out every time. Visit us at and take a ride in a Cat to experience it for yourself. Power Catamaran vs. Monohull What s the best buy for fuel efficiency and a smooth ride in rough water? Monohull Twin Hull Fuel Efficiency All power Cats have less hull resistance in the water, producing greater fuel efficiency. You are not plowing water with a wide bow so Cats take less horsepower and fuel to achieve like performance. Weight Distribution & Planing Monohulls plane at a particular speed and weight distribution. Increase weight or speed and the stern settles. The monohull pushes forward through the resistance of a hill of water, limiting visibility. Cats rise and fall evenly, parallel to the water at all speeds, maintaining both line of sight and trim. Trim Monohulls often need trim tabs or dolfins to level the ride. These hull enhancements are not needed for a World Cat, since they are built into the design. Load Levels The centerlines of two hulls will keep loads level and increase load capacity, rather than everything pushing down on the single centerline of a monohull. Stability Like riding on railroad tracks instead of slalom skiing. Wide tracks mean less rolling in rough seas and the ability to fish one side of the boat with no rollover. Steering & Turning With a ride more like a car than a motorcycle, Cats turn flatter than the leaning action of a monohull. Footprint The Cat s wider footprint negates the effects of rolling seas. Everyone can fish one side of a Cat without the listing effect of the monohull. Soft Ride As it rises out of the water on plane the Cat offers a softer, smoother ride in roughwater than a monohull. After launching from a wave, a parachute effect occurs. Re-entering the water, air is flowing through the two hulls, softening the blow. Wake The long, slender dual hulls of a Cat produce minimum wake at all speeds. Shallow Draft Less hull in the water allows the Cat to reach areas the conventional monohull cannot go.

3 All Cats Are Not Created Equal There are three basic hull designs in the power catamaran class. Each Cat hull design has its own attributes. Each design tries to maximize the comfort of ride in relation to speed, fuel efficiency, load bearing capacity and handling. All of the following catamaran designs will perform considerably better than a monohull. Full Displacement Hull Employs the same basic design as a sailing catamaran with a narrow, tall hull, designed for maximum comfort in heavy seas. This design offers less fuel efficiency and stability due to its narrow, tall hull design as well as an inability to plane. Hull enhancements with several chines to help lift the boat are employed. The narrow hull does not allow for maximum load capacity or stability, and has more lateral movement than other designs. Attempts to eliminate this include adding one dolfin to each engine. There is also considerably more vertical movement at rest than other designs due to narrower hull design. Maximum horsepower ratings are lower due to hull speed and ability of narrow hulls to hold weight. The inability to trim the bow to get the sponsons out of the water also makes the boat more susceptible to bow steer as the sponsons act like two keels in the water in a following or head sea. Planing Hull Employs a V-bottom flatter surface to get the boat up on plane for maximum speed, but has a harder ride due to the flat surfaces of the hull bottom. When coming down after launching the boat there is more of a slamming effect. This is not as severe as a monohull, but very noticeable compared to other power cats. There is also a problem with lateral movement, which they have tried to address with the use of trim tabs. Semi-Displacement Hull (World Cat) This design combines the best of both worlds. Hulls with wide oval bottoms provide the best lift, stability and load bearing capability. Greater buoyancy allows for higher horsepower ratings and the best balance of comfort and efficiency. There is very little lateral movement, and no enhancements are needed to make this hull design perform. It has the widest footprint in the water, offering the best stability and speed to comfort ratio. The design allows for large fish boxes, deep storage in hulls and maximum usable space. Rated at 450HP on the 270 models, the fuel efficiency and range is unmatched, making it the ultimate choice for the serious offshore fisherman or pleasure boater seeking the best of both worlds. World Cat was the first Cat builder to be yacht certified and has more CSI Awards than all other Cat builders combined! Which design suits you best?

4 P O W E R C A T A M A R A N B U Y E R S G U I D E C H E C K L I S T Knowledge is Power. Get More for Your Money. As you shop, ask these questions and make sure the person who sells you a boat knows these answers and understands why they are important. You ll likely be taking the boat to the same folks for service and that will give you a better idea of how they ll help you maintain your boat after the sale. F I T & F I N I S H Make sure you are not compromising quality and vessel integrity for less important fancy features. Keep in mind that you may own this boat for several years and the cost of the boat is not what you pay at time of purchase, but the difference between what you pay and what you sell it for later, plus maintenance costs over the years. Buying smart up front can save you thousands down the road. See how the World Cat stacks up against the other boats you investigate. WORLD CAT COMPETITOR 1 COMPETITOR 2 NOTES 1. Are all corners rounded on the boat, rather than 90 degree angles? Rounded edges distribute stress and pressure over a greater area, lessening the effects. 90 degree angles focus stress and pressure on the weakest point, the center of the radius, and may lead to stress cracks. 2. Are all rod holders and cleats (holders) back plated and through-bolted or screwed? Screws will tend to back out over time or wear the drill hole and loosen the component. 3. Are piano hinges used on the hatches? Piano hinges distribute pressure over the entire length of the hatch. Strap hinges only support the small area the hinge is attached to. Over time strap hinges tend to loosen or bend, leaving a poor fitting hatch. 4. Is your gel coat protection UV resistant & premium grade? UV protection prevents the sun from dulling the finish over time. 5. What type of non-skid is used on the deck and other surfaces? Molded-in diamond pattern gives you a lifetime of grip on your deck and makes for easier cleaning. Tape and sand eventually wear away; making for a very slippery deck, especially when covered with fish residue. 6. Do all joints meet properly? Any gaps in the construction of the boat will allow water to enter and gather. Also, it allows for more flex, which will eventually result in the boat slowly deteriorating with screws backing out and a loss of stiffness in the boat. 7. Are cleats and other components adequate to meet the demand of the size of the vessel and sea conditions? This is very important in docking and trailering in adverse conditions. If cleats are too small they will pull out or break same with bow and stern eyes, rod holders and bow pulpits. Check these, too.

5 WORLD CAT COMPETITOR 1 COMPETITOR 2 NOTES 8. Is the bow rail solid when shaken? This can be a real safety issue when venturing out on the bow of the boat in rough sea conditions. If the bow rail is loose it could become dislodged if you grab it or fall against it while maneuvering around the boat. 9. Are steps molded in? Molded in means worry free never have corrosion to hardware, creating an unsafe situation when moving up and down the steps. It also adds more structure and strength to the boat. 10. Are composites used for coring, transom, bulkheads and stringers? Although XL10 plywood is touted as having a 40-year warranty, if the seal is penetrated with screws it will fail, resulting in a need to replace wood and reglass. Having a 100% composite construction takes this worry away. 11. Is the fiberglass hand laid tri-axial / bi-axial knitted glass? Multi-directional glass spreads the impact over a much greater area resulting in little or no damage to your boat. It creates a much stronger boat. Chopped fiberglass is much heavier and weaker than most modern building materials. F E A T U R E S 12. Is seating comfortable and functional? Even though your ride will be considerably softer on a catamaran than any monohull, seating must be secure, comfortable and functional for you to feel safe while underway, especially in rough sea conditions. 13. Are the fishbox and livewell adequate for the type of fishing you will do? If you are after large fish or a lot of fish you must make sure you have a livewell that will adequately carry enough live bait and keep it alive for the time you intend to fish. Also, consider the kind of fishing you will do and make sure the fishbox is large enough for you to keep your catch fresh until you get back to the docks to clean it. The fishbox also needs to be insulated well to maintain the ice. 14. Is the walkaround recessed for added security? Recessed walkarounds are best for additional security. Make sure your feet will fit in the recessed area and you can move comfortably. If you are looking at a flush deck, make sure you have adequate handholds to maintain your balance all around the boat. 15. Is there adequate storage? Storage is always an issue on a boat. Whether on the water for a few hours or a few days, you want your deck clear of tackle boxes and other items that could create a safety hazard. Make sure the storage will hold all you want to leave on the boat rods, safety gear, tackle, etc. 16. Is there a toe rail? A molded-in toe rail will bring you closer to the outside of the boat without compromising safety. After a long day of fishing, your back will feel much better than if you had been bending over all day, and the added leverage of your feet in the molded toe rail will help you fight a big fish longer with greater ease. 17. Is the electrical system watertight, tinned copper, heat-shrunk and are the wires labeled every 3 inches? Frequent problems with most boats used in a harsh salt water environment are corrosion and shorts from water intrusion. If these problems occur you will need it rewired and labeled to service.

6 WORLD CAT COMPETITOR 1 COMPETITOR 2 NOTES 18. Is a semi-displacement hull design offered? The semi displacement hull provides the best speed to comfort ratio. It easily comes up on plane, and allows you to trim the bow in different sea conditions to prevent bow steering. Other designs require you to tuck the bow down in rough water, and results in having two keel-like hulls pulling you side to side as the water catches them. 19. Is the helm station user friendly, with adequate room for electronics, comfortable operation, and adjustable steering wheel? Make sure you have enough room for the electronics you will need to do the type of boating you want to do. Are the electronics safe, secure and out of the elements? Is everything within reach and comfortable for you? Can you easily adjust the steering wheel to make it easier to use in different situations? Is everything solid? 20. Are the hatches finished on both sides? Finished hatches keep the boat looking new longer. 21. Is air in the tunnel vented to prevent sneezing? Monohulls tend to throw water in the air as the bow crashes through the waves a very wet ride. Catamarans without a vented tunnel will create a sneeze: air trapped between the tunnel pushes forward as the wave breaks, creating a mist that comes over the bow not as wet as a monohull, but annoying. A vented tunnel evacuates the air into a space under the anchor locker to prevent spray. It also creates a vacuum to help aerate and compress the water as it passes the vent and flows through the tunnel, giving a softer ride. 22. Are the fuel tanks made of non-corrosive plastic? Coast Guard now recommends that all replacement fuel tanks be poly construction to prevent corrosion. All metals, stainless or aluminum, will eventually fail over time and will foul fuel, which can lead to engine damage (eventually requiring both engine repair/replacement and tank replacement). Poly tanks give you a lifetime of service. 23. If fuel tanks are anything other than plastic is there an easy way to remove them? If you choose a boat with metal fuel tanks, make sure you have access to the tanks so you don t have to do major reconstruction by cutting a hole in the deck to remove and replace the tanks and then re-fiberglass the opening. This can be very costly and time consuming. 24. Are scuppers of an adequate number and size to drain water quickly? Scuppers are extremely important especially in bad weather situations. Most boats that sink (that are not involved in a collision) are the result of poor drainage. 25. Do hatches fit snugly to avoid banging or creaking while running in a heavy sea? If hatches bang and creak they are not properly fit and will eventually deteriorate causing failure. It is also a very annoying problem when underway in seas and the boat sounds like it is falling apart under your feet. 26. Do hatches drain properly? Hatches without proper drainage allow water to seep into compartments, creating problems with wet goods and adding weight to the boat. If you leave your boat on a lift or at dock without cover, and in a heavy rain, you could have serious problems with water. 27. Do fish boxes have overboard drains? Make sure that all fish boxes drain overboard and not into the hull. Otherwise, in the event of a failure in your bilge pumps, you could lose your vessel.

7 WORLD CAT COMPETITOR 1 COMPETITOR 2 NOTES 28. Can the bow of the boat be trimmed up to avoid taking water over the bow and prevent bow steering? The ability to trim your bow especially in a following sea, offers a much drier, softer ride. It also eliminates bow steering where the two hulls act as individual keels in the water pulling you from side to side. 29. Are motorwells deep enough to allow engines to be trimmed entirely out of the water? Make sure your engines can be trimmed completely out of the water to prevent growth of algae and other marine life on the lower units. 30. Are the hulls wide enough to keep scuppers above the waterline when the boat is fully loaded? This is a very important safety issue to prevent the boat from swamping and sinking. 31. Is fuel capacity adequate to meet your needs with 25% to spare? Make sure that the boat has sufficient fuel capacity (and engines fuel efficient enough) to take you where you want to go without worries of running out of fuel on the return trip. 32. Does your boat have the recommended bilge pump capacity? Bilge pumps with enough capacity gives you the peace of mind that if water should find its way into the hull, you will be able to reach safe haven before anything can happen to your boat and to you. A minimum of 1500 gallon-per-hour pumps in each hull is recommended. 33. Do inspection ports have seals? Without seals there will be water leakage through the plates. Over time, without adequate seals, water will seep into the hulls through the motorwell access plates. This can be a dangerous situation, when the bilge pumps can t handle the water coming in. 34. Is the hydraulic steering system a dual cylinder system? If only single you may not be able to steer with one engine trimmed out of the water. Also, the liquid tie bar makes it easier to adjust the engines. 35. Does your hull have a warranty of 10 years or greater? A good hull warranty gives you peace of mind, knowing that the major investment in the boat is covered against hull failure for a greater period of time. Does your hull have a warranty of 10 years or greater? 36. Is the hull warranty transferable? This adds greatly to the value of your boat when selling it. 37. Is your boat certified? Data from the USCG indicates that non-certified boats are 15 times more likely to be recalled by the USCG for safety reasons than NMMA certified boats. Statistically, certified boats are involved in fewer accidents. 38. Is your boat builder the recipient of the coveted NMMA CSI award? We hope this planner has provided some invaluable information on the inherent benefits of power catamarans over traditional monohulls as well as the differences between the various Cat designs. For more information on Power Catamaran features and benefits, please visit

8 Enjoy your new Power Catamaran! Buying it right will give you years of pleasure and great resale value. World Cat is a premier manufacturer of power catamarans located in Tarboro, North Carolina. As part of our mission to deliver best-in-class customer service before, during and after the sale, World Cat offers this educational planner to all prospective boat buyers with the express intention of promoting the superior features and benefits inherent in all Cat hull designs. For further information on World Cat s products and best-in-class service, please visit our website at World Cat has more CSI Awards than all other Cat builders combined! West Saint James Street Tarboro, North Carolina 27886

REDEFINE EXPECTATIONS

REDEFINE EXPECTATIONS The revolutionary design of the X3 allows you to use the boat in the most extreme conditions. The X3 will deliver you dry and safe across shallow flats, wind blown bays, and even