World Cat

Since 1998, some of the world’s most sought-after boats have been built right here in North Carolina. World Cat started in a facility in Greenville with 19 employees and three models. In 2002, the company transitioned production to a new facility in Tarboro, which is still considered the headquarters for the company.

Today, World Cat has 300 employees and builds an array of boats in different sizes and configurations. Each is a reflection of World Cat’s mission to deliver the smoothest ride on water – to make boating more enjoyable and give boaters the comfort and confidence to cruise, fish, dive, and explore the water world around them. 

World Cat manufactures outboard-powered center and dual console catamaran models ranging from 23 to 40 feet. World Cat models are known for their versatility, smooth ride, large deck space, and performance. With more than 80,000 customers around the globe, World Cat delivers an enjoyable experience from entertaining at the dock to navigating the deepest waters.  

World Cat uses sophisticated modeling software during the design process to create exceptional boats. 

Bimini is located just 50 miles east of Miami and is a popular spot for World Cat owners to explore.  

In 2020, World Cat expanded its operations by taking over the former Camping World Distribution Center in Greenville. “North Carolina has been a strong partner for World Cat over the years and is a big part of our success,” says Andrew Brown, president who credits his employees for the company’s achievements. “World Cat is a people business: our boats are designed and built by exceptional people, sold by exceptional people, and serviced by exceptional people so our customers have a fantastic experience.” 

The 230,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Greenville positioned the company for long-term growth and allows for the production of custom catamarans. These catamarans have a twin hull design that provides a balanced, stable recreational boating experience.

World Cat builds an average of 400 boats a year that are offered through dealerships globally. “We start with the best design, give it shape and form using the best materials,” says Andrew. “And we employ the best craftsmen in the business to transform these raw materials into a boat that doesn’t just endure, it excels.”

In 2025, World Cat was voted the Coolest Thing Made in NC in the medium business size category as part of a competition held by the NC Chamber to honor manufacturers in the state.  

Here is a brief overview of how the boats are built – a process that takes 9 to 12 months from idea to water. 

• Design: The key to a World Cat catamaran’s uniquely superior performance is the hull design. All World Cat hulls and decks are designed using the industry’s most sophisticated modeling software. Once a design is near completion, a full-scale mock-up is built so adjustments can be made. 
• Materials: A great design is brought to life by construction with the highest quality materials that need to balance weight, strength, and durability.   
• Process: veteran craftsmen, many with more than two decades of experience, begin the complex work of combining ideas and materials and transforming them into the smoothest riding boats on the water. 

This complex process is a combination of the latest technology matched to the experience and skill of some of the best boating engineers and craftsmen in the industry. While the boats reflect only the highest quality, World Cat is constantly seeking new ways to drive quality even higher. 

Three hundred employees work at the two World Cat locations. This is some of the staff at the Greenville plant. 

"We are immensely proud of all that World Cat has done over its 28-year history," says Andrew. "With a lot of hard work and dedication, we have become one of the top-selling power catamaran manufacturers on the market. It could not have happened without the incredible employees we have had over the years, our dedicated network of dealers, and of course, our loyal customers. We will continue to stay committed to building the best of the best and bringing you A Better Way To Boat for years to come." 

World Cat works with Towne Insurance senior vice president and market managing director Spruill Alexander. “Working with World Cat is a real pleasure because you always feel like you are working with professionals who want to do things right,” Spruill says. “They continue to care about their employees first who are then able to produce one of the best made boats in the industry.” 

“Working alongside Andrew Brown, president, and Andrea Woolard, CFO, has been a great opportunity for me,” says Trey Quinn, TowneBank senior vice president and commercial banker. “The whole leadership team at World Cat is passionate about their product, which has led them to be the largest manufacturer of power catamarans in the world. World Cat truly values having a community banking partner who is there to help when needed and a bank that invests in the community where they operate. It has been amazing to see how this company has grown, and I look forward to seeing where they will go in the future.” 

For more information, visit WorldCat.com.

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