We Say: The dual console is one of the hottest styles today, and a catamaran hull form might be the best suited for it, as evidenced by the World Cat 255DC.
Why? Two reasons. First, a prime DC benefit is the runabout-like bow cockpit. Since the twin hulls carry the beam forward, World Cat can put deep, secure seating for six up front. The adjustable bow table can be converted to create a sun lounge.
Second, the consoles line up with the deepest part of the hulls. That allows World Cat to put a real head with a pump-out tank in the port console.
For 2012, the 255DC’s transom has been slimmed down and now harbors two fold-down jump seats to either side of the walk-through. A 30-gallon livewell resides behind the helm seat, a 200-quart insulated fish box/cooler behind the portside seat. Flip up the jump seats and enjoy a 6-foot-3-inch by 4-foot fighting space in the cockpit, with toe rails and coaming bolsters.
The 255DC is a planing cat, with wide and flat running surfaces aft, so it’s faster than its semidisplacement Glacier Bay sisters and has no outboard lean in turns. The caveat is it has a bit bouncier ride and an increased chance of “sneeze,” spray blowing over the bow from the tunnel, which we experienced only once in a head sea while testing outside the inlet.
Who’d Want One: A fishing family wanting the ride of a cat and the comfort of a day boat.
Another Choice: Twin Vee’s bare-bones 26 Dual Console ($60,416 with twin Yamaha F150s) with options.
Bottom Line: $121,680; worldcat.com
