The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 vs Hobie Cat Hobie Cat Catsy 2003 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 measures 21,4 feet overall (1987), giving it roughly 11,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat Catsy 2003 at 10,2 feet (2003). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 tips the scales at 639 lbs — 474 lbs more than the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat Catsy 2003 at 165 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat Catsy 2003 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 could be the deciding factor.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 639 lbs for the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 and 165 lbs for the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat Catsy 2003. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 uses fractional_rig_sloop rigging.
Both the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 and Hobie Cat Hobie Cat Catsy 2003 are listed as trailerable, which opens up the freedom to explore different sailing grounds without paying for a permanent berth.
Bottom line: The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 at 21,4 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat Catsy 2003 at 10,2 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew, trailerable, and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.