Both the World Cat 290DC Dual Console 2012 and the World Cat 290EC Express Cabin 2009 are catamaran designs, the first built in composite and the second in fibreglass, so 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 290DC Dual Console 2012 at 29,1 ft versus World Cat 290EC Express Cabin 2009 at 29,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the World Cat 290EC Express Cabin 2009 tips the scales at 9 700 lbs - 1 000 lbs less than the World Cat 290DC Dual Console 2012 at 8 700 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 500 hp for the World Cat 290DC Dual Console 2012 and 500 hp for the World Cat 290EC Express Cabin 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 250 gal and 250 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.