Our History - World Cat

Our History

True To Our Name, You’ll Find Our Boats On Virtually Every Ocean And Lake In The World.

Over 80,000 customers across the globe can be found enjoying our catamarans. They’ve chosen our boats because World Cat delivers a smoother, more stable, more enjoyable experience from entertaining at the dock to navigating the deepest waters.

The origin of World Cat can be traced back over a quarter of a century to the beginning of our Glacier Bay Edition boats in America’s Pacific Northwest. Today, World Cat is the largest maker of power catamarans in the world. Located in Tarboro, North Carolina, our boats are precision crafted in a state-of-the-art 140,000 square foot facility.

While we build an array of boats in different sizes and configurations, each is a reflection of our mission to deliver the smoothest ride on water – making boating more enjoyable and giving boaters the comfort and confidence to cruise, fish, dive, and explore the water world around them.

From the South Pacific to Siberia, World Cats have safely carried thousands of boaters over tens of thousands of miles. Shouldn’t you share in that experience?

Standing on the front of a catamaran
Multiple Catamarans on the water
Catamaran near iceberg

1998

1998

The first World Cat is built in Greenville, NC with a new mold and new hull. By fall of 1998, the World Cat brand is launched with three models: the 246 Sport Fisherman (SF), 266 Sport Cuddy (SC), and 266 Sport Fisherman (SF).

1998

2000

2000

The 246DC Dual Console launches.

A World Cat wins the Bermuda Challenge – a run from Norfolk, VA to Bermuda.

2000

2001

2001

The acquisition and renovation of a new facility is the start of transitioning production to Tarboro, NC.

Chris Peters sets the World Record Maco Shark in a 246SF.

2001

2002

2002

2002 33' TE

World Cat launches the 33’ TE Center Console, an innovative performance boat. At the time, it was the largest outboard boat in production and the first outboard boat to feature the new Suzuki 300HP 4-stroke engines, an absolute game changer.

2002

2004

2004

2004 320EC

World Cat introduces a truly complex and innovative design with the 320EC, featuring World Cat’s first hull with a cabin and separate head.

2004

2009

2009

World Cat secures its staying power by acquiring Glacier Bay and Livingston Catamaran Boats, while reinforcing its commitment to A Better Way To Boat™.

2009

2010

2010

2010 320CC

World Cat launches its first family fish friendly hull and deck design with the new 320CC Center Console.

2010

2011

2011

World Cat officially enters the inshore audience with the launch of the 230CC and 230DC.

2011

2015

2015

For the first time, World Cat launches a boat that does not focus on fishing first with the 230SD, featuring a refined family and cruising boating experience.

2015

2016

2016

2016 320DC

World Cat launches the largest dual console outboard boat on the market with the 320DC.

2016

2017

2017

2017 280s

The 280CC-X and 280DC-X is launched, featuring a new hull style line, designed to deliver a refined look at top speeds.

2017

2019

2019

2019 400cc-x

The new flagship 40’ hull emerges with the launch of the 400DC-X, becoming the largest dual console catamaran to ever hit the market. Quickly following was the 400CC-X Center Console featuring the innovative Cat-Track™ seating.

2019 400dc-x

2019

2022

2022

World Cat 25th Anniversary

World Cat celebrates their 25th Anniversary year.

2022

2022

2022

2022 260cc-x

World Cat introduces the all-new 260CC-X.

2022

2023

2023

260DC-X

World Cat introduces the all-new 260DC-X.

2023
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