The Scout (bottom) pounded and rattled its way through Miami's Government Cut, but we did stay dry. The World Cat took less of a beating, its twin hulls allowing us to push it harder and faster through the same water.

A large pride of cats hungrily awaited the media and general public at this year’s Miami Boat Show, eager to sink their teeth into the snotty waters of Government Cut and show-up their monohull competitors.

Few will argue this: Cats, with their twin hulls and pillows of air between them, generally deliver a smoother ride than similarly sized monohulls. But they also can cost thousands of dollars more. So for many consumers, the question becomes: How much softer is the ride, and is it worth the extra money? …