A power catamaran designed for several kinds of water
The World Cat 235HB is a new approach to the familiar dilemma of choosing one boat for shallow flats, protected bays and trips beyond the inlet. Measuring 22 feet 7 inches overall, this centre-console catamaran aims to combine the low-profile working space of an inshore fishing boat with the twin-hull layout that characterises World Cat's offshore range. It is a purpose-built leisure and fishing boat, rather than a shortened version of a large cruising yacht.
The manufacturer calls the 235HB a hybrid, a description of the activities and waters it is intended to cover. That word should not be confused with hybrid-electric propulsion: the published engine packages use conventional Yamaha outboards. The distinction matters for buyers comparing this boat with alternative-fuel designs. Here the innovation is flexibility of layout and operating environment, not a claimed change in the energy source.
A nine-inch draft is central to the proposition
The headline figure is the manufacturer's listed nine-inch draft, which gives the 235HB access to areas that can be inaccessible to some deeper-draft fishing boats. It is not a promise that every shallow channel will be safely passable in every state of tide or sea. Actual clearance depends on loading, water conditions, engines and local navigation constraints, so prudent route planning remains essential.
At 8 feet 6 inches across the beam, the catamaran has a broad deck relative to its length. World Cat places particular emphasis on an open working arrangement with low aft gunwales, allowing anglers to move and cast without the sense of standing in a deep enclosed cockpit. That geometry is relevant for light-tackle fishing, but passengers should also consider the boarding and child-supervision implications of lower sides.
Fishing arrangements fore and aft
At the stern, the maker specifies a non-slip casting platform that changes role when its integrated bench seat is raised. It provides a clear place to fish while retaining the option of seating when the day's priorities move towards cruising. The standard-equipment list describes a lighted 20-gallon livewell, horizontal racks for four rods, stainless rod holders and a raw-water washdown for dealing with tackle and spray.
The bow is equally important to the fishing specification. Insulated fish boxes are built into the forward deck and the console lounger includes a large stowage volume. The hull is described as trolling-motor ready, making it easier to plan a low-speed fishing installation. Owners should still confirm electrical loads, battery accommodation and the compatibility of the motor they intend to fit with their selling dealer.
The passenger experience is not an afterthought
World Cat lists a maximum capacity of ten people, a significant number for a boat in this length bracket. The forward area is arranged for social seating as well as fishing, with optional removable backrests and a bow table when the family wants a pause at anchor. A forward lounger and the aft fold-up seat provide further ways to reconfigure the deck as people move aboard.
Those options deserve attention because capacity and comfort are separate questions. Ten occupants will not necessarily have the same elbow room when everyone is carrying dive equipment, tackle and a day's supplies. A buyer should walk the boat with the sort of load normally carried, test access around the console and check that coolers, rods and personal flotation devices have secure storage positions.
Twin Yamaha outboards and a broad performance envelope
The builder lists Yamaha twin 115-horsepower and twin 150-horsepower packages, with a maximum combined rating of 300 horsepower. Published figures include an approximate dry weight with power of 5,100 pounds when fitted with twin 115s. These are useful comparison points, although equipped displacement rises once fuel, water, optional systems, people and gear are added.
The fuel capacity is 89 US gallons divided between two 44.5-gallon tanks. World Cat publishes typical speed and economy figures for a specified twin-150 configuration, but real-world results will vary with propellers, trim, hull condition and sea state. A sea trial carrying an ordinary operating load will therefore be more informative than choosing an engine option solely from a quoted top-speed number.
Helm electronics and practical control
A single Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv 12-inch multifunction display, an Icom VHF and hydraulic steering appear in the builder's listed standard specification. The helm sits beneath a fibreglass T-top with a spreader light, while cupholders and nearby tackle storage speak to the everyday routines of fishing or family cruising. Buyers who navigate electronically should check whether chart coverage and transducers are included in the local delivery package.
A second 12-inch Garmin screen is offered as an option rather than an assumed standard. That distinction is important when comparing dealer quotations, because a photograph of a heavily optioned boat can be misleading about the basic price. The owner also needs to consider sightlines from a seated and standing position, particularly when manoeuvring among swimmers, dock traffic or shallow-water obstacles.
Day-boating, swimming and towing uses
The standard layout includes a dive ladder and swim platform, and the options list includes a ski tow and freshwater shower. Those details extend the 235HB beyond an exclusively fishing-oriented use case. A family might fish in the morning, make a short coastal passage to a sheltered anchorage and then use the same boat for swimming or watersports, provided conditions and regulations suit the activity.
Multi-purpose claims are best assessed against the activities that matter most to an owner. Anglers may prioritise clear casting space and rod storage, while parents may focus on secure seating, shade and how a wet passenger reboards. Both groups should inspect the aft platform and the movement around it with the engines tilted and in their ordinary operating positions before making a purchase decision.
Where the model fits in the range
The 235HB shares the broad World Cat philosophy of outboard-powered catamarans but occupies a distinctive place alongside more specialised centre consoles and dual consoles. Rather than pursuing the maximum enclosed accommodation that a larger cruiser might provide, it directs available space towards a versatile open deck. That makes it particularly relevant to coastal owners whose boating pattern changes from weekend to weekend.
At approximately 23 feet in marketed size, the boat also raises practical ownership questions about marina berth dimensions, storage, trailer suitability and tow-vehicle ratings. The quoted 8-foot-6-inch beam is only one part of that calculation. Total trailering weight includes the trailer and equipment, while regulations on vehicle dimensions differ by jurisdiction. Local advice is necessary before assuming an easy road-transfer arrangement.
A timely model for the Fort Lauderdale audience
The 235HB appears among the new leisure-boat designs drawing attention ahead of the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, scheduled for 28 October to 1 November. World Cat has independently confirmed that the brand and its dealer network plan to attend the exhibition. Buyers should check directly with the exhibitor for the precise display lineup and an appointment rather than assuming every advertised model will be available for an unrestricted trial.
The show's relevance goes beyond a single debut. South Florida is a market in which shallow-water fishing, offshore passages, sandbar afternoons and marina logistics can all matter to the same buyer. The 235HB's positioning speaks to that mixed brief, although no boat can remove the need to judge weather and operating limits. Its real test is whether the layout works as well on a busy family outing as during a focused fishing session.
What to verify before ordering
A sensible comparison begins with the manufacturer's current written specification, a list of dealer-fitted options and an itemised quotation for the chosen propulsion package. Particular attention should go to the helm electronics, battery arrangement, shade, seating and any optional towing equipment. The brand notes that features and trim availability can change, so the boat delivered may differ from photographs of a demonstration example.
World Cat's official 235HB model page provides the core dimensions, equipment and configuration choices. Prospective owners should use those details to plan a demonstration with a representative load and confirm what is legally required for their home waters. The strongest case for this catamaran is its unusual breadth of uses; the purchase decision still comes down to how convincingly it performs the ones an owner actually needs.