The Swiss Army knife is an overused descriptive cliché, but in the case of the World Cat 400DC-X, it fits perfectly.
This new catamaran, powered by a pair of Yamaha’s mighty 425 XTO outboards, stands ready to serve its owner in any number of scenarios. The World Cat 400DC-X was designed to thrive as a multimission boat that would allow enjoyment of a variety of waterborne activities safely, reliably, and with the pride of ownership that comes from a boat put together with a top-notch build.
The World Cat 400DC-X is a great boat exactly because it’s so capable at so many things. If you want a walk-around center-console fishing machine, stop reading right here. (World Cat has one coming this fall.) But if you want a boat that has all the space you need for fishing out of the cockpit, casting off the bow, or for varied reasons of entertaining and family fun days afloat, the 400DC-X is your answer.
The World Cat has overnight accommodations that put most center-consoles to shame and, to make sure of my impression, I asked She Who Must Be Obeyed to take a look at the sleeping cabin and at the head compartment. In general, SWMBO believes that “roughing it” means slow room service, but her response to overnighting on a World Cat was: “That would be fun! Let’s go!”
That’s high praise from a single, discerning judge. But it’s not surprising. As I’ve already stated, the World Cat 400DC-X is going to please a multitude of boaters engaged in numerous activities afloat.
Here’s a closer look. You’ve deduced that this is a catamaran, which means buckets of stability and a lot less drag than a single-hulled boat of the same size. You’ve also figured out that the DC means dual console, so this is a bowrider on steroids, but with a nearly 13-foot beam. Like a bowrider, there are two consoles with a center walkway, which can be closed off with a really slick sliding (not a clunky folding) windshield panel, plus a lower door. Unlike most bowriders, there’s room for two people to sit comfortably behind the helm on the electrically controlled bench-style seat, and another two can sit opposite, all thanks to the wide beam.
A perfect example of how the 400DC-X fits the needs of two parallel universes is aft in the cockpit. On our test boat, a 24-gallon livewell and built-in cooler with standard chiller plates was to port of the walkway to the stern platform, while a summer kitchen with pop-up Magma propane barbecue, generous sink and cutting board resided on the starboard-side. And with cockpit space that ought to be measured in acres, there’s room for everyone to do their thing. Fish over here, molest a burger on the ’cue over there, and then there’s the huge (38-inch) transom platform where, between the twin Yamaha outboards, there is a handy swim ladder so sturdy, it might have been nicked from a commercial dive boat.
Speaking of outboards, our test boat boasted a pair of the new Yamaha 425 hp XTO outboards that pushed its 15,000 pounds to an impressive 46.3 mph. The boat’s happy spot for cruising was at about 20 mph, when it was sipping just 15.5 gph for 1.25 mpg. Combine that with the two aluminum fuel tanks totaling 464 gallons, and that gives you, even with a 10 percent safety margin, a 522-plus-mile range. Islands, here I come!
So much cool stuff, so little time. Start at the bow, with a hidden anchor windlass and huge storage, plus wraparound seating for 12 with two electric tables that disappear into the floor if you want to bow-cast. The cockpit has a dinette for eight with electric seatbacks, and an entertainment center with fridge and sink, all protected by a sturdy fiberglass hardtop with an optional opening sunroof and standard extendable shade aft.
The port cabin has a comfortable 46-by-74-inch berth (larger than a twin), and it’s air-conditioned, as is the starboard head with 6 feet, 5 inches of headroom and a 3-by-4-foot shower stall with a 6-gallon hot-water heater that would encourage taking more leisurely showers.
The helm is masterful, with twin Garmin 17-inch monitors, and our test boat had the optional Yamaha Helm Master joystick. With a cat this size, it’s all about the ride, and the 400DC-X will give you more boating by letting you go out on even the nasty days. It’s solid and stable to the point of ho-hum.
If you’re shopping, check out the single-hulled Sea Ray 400 SLX with foldout sides for more space (about $536,000).
Our test boat had a 9 kW Fischer Panda diesel genset under the cockpit fed by a separate 24-gallon diesel tank. Huge undersole hatches provide great access to mechanical systems, and a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer is likely to be a popular option.
Fast, fun and multipurpose, the World Cat 400DC-X is actually a whole lot better than a Swiss Army knife because it does so many things so well.
High Points
- Points for great underdeck lockers for fenders, gear and just stuff.
- Clever sliding walk-through windshield solves pinched fingers forever.
- Multiple options allow customizing for diving, fishing or family fun.
- Single level from bow to stern, so no tripping.
Low Points
- Generator access is tight under the hinged dinette seat.
- Flip-up footrests on aft-facing cockpit seat are better replaced with drawers.
- Ankle-level panel for CZone breakers and battery switches is inconvenient.
Price: $848,943 (as tested)
Available Power: Outboard
How We Tested
Engine: Twin 425 hp Yamaha Offshore XTO outboards
Drive/Prop: XTO Offshore 16 7/8″ x 17″ stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.79:1
Fuel Load: 155 gal.
Crew Weight: 300 lb. plus optional Seakeeper
World Cat – Tarboro, North Carolina; 252-641-8000; worldcat.com
