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Sea Cat 260 Hybrid: 2021 Boat Buyers Guide

The 260 Hybrid merges the best of a bay boat and an offshore catamaran.
Sea Cat 260 Hybrid running inshore
The 260 Hybrid is outfitted with numerous fishing-friendly options. Courtesy Sea Cat Boats

Sea Cat merged the best of a bay boat and an offshore catamaran, creating the Sea Cat 260 Hybrid.

There is more than 100 years’ combined experience in building high-performance offshore-racing boats under their roof, and they use a lamination schedule formulated by one of the industry’s top naval-engineering firms.

Sea Cat 260 Hybrid

Catamaran hulls come in pairs, but so do other features in the Sea Cat 260 hybrid: two fuel tanks of 60 gallons each, two livewells at 25 gallons per, as well as a pair of Suzuki outboards—up to 600 hp combined—each served by its own fuel tank and battery.

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We drove one, and the ride is exemplary. Draft is a shallow 14 inches, ideal for bay fishing while using a bow-mount trolling motor. It planes easily on one of its dual outboards and is happiest in a brisk chop, ably sliding through it, giving the passengers a terrific ride. Then while fishing, it’s as steady as a Falcon 9 landing barge.

It has at least two distinctive skill sets too: fishing inshore or heading offshore. Of survey respondents, 77 percent fished inshore species in the previous year, 54 percent offshore. That’s a substantial overlap.

An aft foldaway seat meets the needs of 44 percent of offshore CC anglers. It’s flanked by a pair of lighted 25-gallon pressurized livewells, enough to please 96 percent of those surveyed. Six gunwale-mounted rod holders match or exceed what 68 percent need.

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Sea Cat 260 Hybrid helm
The wide beam accomodates dual navigation displays. Wiring below is organized and secure. Courtesy Sea Cat Boats

The massive bow fishing platform tops cavernous storage compartments. In-deck fish boxes in wide passages between helm and gunwale are 7 feet long. One can become a rod locker with an added rack; the other can be divided for more-efficient ice use.

Fishing-friendly options include a fiberglass T-top, custom helm seating housing a custom tackle station, a (third) forward livewell, rod-locker seating with backrest, additional rod holders and T-top rocket launchers, and Llebroc bow cushions and bolsters, for the 40 percent who call it important in a CC fishing boat. Other options include MinnKota factory-installed trolling motor, Wet Sounds speakers, and Garmin or Simrad electronics.

With the twin Suzuki 300 hp motors that Sea Cat recommends, the 260 Hybrid tops out in the mid-60s mph.

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Survey Says: On Target

  • Massive and flexible storage for fish and gear
  • Top-quality hardware, hinges, latches and cleats
  • Good fuel efficiency for long range with dual Suzuki outboards

Owners Say

  • There is a place for everything, and everything is in its place

Brand Says

  • A dream come true for everyone involved
  • A unique hybrid

Reader Response

  • “Smooth riding in rough waters, roomy for fishing”

Specs

LOA: 26′

Beam: 8′6″

Fuel Capacity: 120 gal.

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Dry Weight: 4,900 lb. plus power

Max HP: 600

More Info

seacatboats.com, (228) 206-4042

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