When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the World Cat 255DC Dual Console 2012 and the World Cat 270EC Express Cabin 2009 are catamaran designs with composite construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — World Cat 255DC Dual Console 2012 at 26,0 ft versus World Cat 270EC Express Cabin 2009 at 28,0 ft. At 65 lbs and 68 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the World Cat 270EC Express Cabin 2009 has a 100-hp advantage over the World Cat 255DC Dual Console 2012's 350-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 2 gal and 2 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The World Cat 270EC Express Cabin 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the World Cat 255DC Dual Console 2012 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the World Cat 270EC Express Cabin 2009 could be the deciding factor.