World Cat just dropped a new model that’s aimed squarely at anglers who don’t want to choose between skinny water and open water — and for Northeast boaters juggling striper flats, bays, and the option to run outside the inlet, that’s a real problem the World Cat 235HB claims to solve.
We haven’t run this one yet — this is a First Look based on World Cat’s published specs and features, not a sea trial — but the numbers and layout are worth breaking down for anyone shopping in the 22-foot hybrid/center console class this season.
The Pitch: One Hull, Two Fisheries
The 235HB rides on World Cat’s signature catamaran hull, and the headline number is a 9-inch draft. That’s shallow enough to get skinny into flats and marsh creeks most V-hulls in this size range simply can’t reach, while still carrying the stability and dry ride catamaran hulls are known for once you point the bow toward open water. At 22’7″ with an 8’6″ beam, the cockpit footprint reads bigger than the LOA suggests, which matters if you’re fishing three or four rods deep on a bluefish blitz or working a bait pod for striped bass.
Power comes from Yamaha, with two package options on the spec sheet: a twin F115XB setup for anglers who prioritize efficiency and skinny-water maneuverability, or the F150XSA2 package that pushes the boat to its 300-hp max rating (2×150) for anglers who want more range and speed to reach bluefin grounds. Speaking of tuna — the 89-gallon fuel capacity gives some real range for those longer Northeast offshore days, and dry weight with power lands around 5,100 lbs.
Built-In Fishing Features
For a boat marketed with cruising and family use in mind, the standard fishing package is legit:
- 20-gallon lighted livewell with overboard drain
- Port and starboard 170-quart insulated fishboxes up forward with overboard discharge pumps
- Aft non-skid casting platform with a flip-up bench seat — casting deck when you need it, seating when you don’t
- Rod storage for eight-plus rods between gunwale-mounted holders, combo holders fore and aft, and a 4-rod horizontal cockpit rack
- Trolling motor ready rigging up front for anglers who want to add spot-lock capability for flats or structure work
The helm comes standard with a Garmin GPSMAP 1243xsv 12″ chartplotter/sonar combo and an ICOM M330G VHF, and for anglers looking to add trolling spread capability offshore, World Cat offers an optional GEMLUX Deluxe Outrigger System with 18-foot collapsible hybrid poles.
What It Means for Northeast Anglers
On paper, the 235HB is aimed at exactly the kind of angler this region produces: someone who might fish a skinny flat for stripers on the morning tide, then run out past the breakwater in the afternoon to work a bluefish blitz or troll for bonito. The shallow draft and catamaran stability are the two specs doing the most work here, and if they hold up the way World Cat’s larger models have, this could be a legitimate one-boat-does-it-all option for anglers.
We’ll follow up with a full sea trial review once we get the 235HB on the water — including how the ride compares to a traditional V-hull at this length, and real-world fuel burn with both engine packages.
Specs, features, and pricing are subject to change — check with your local World Cat dealer for current availability and options.
