The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 vs Hobie Cat Hobie Cat FX One Classic Classic 2002 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 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat FX One Classic Classic 2002 at 17,2 feet (2002). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 tips the scales at 639 lbs — 330 lbs more than the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat FX One Classic Classic 2002 at 309 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 FX One Classic Classic 2002 caps at 5. 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 309 lbs for the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat FX One Classic Classic 2002. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 3,1 ft and 3,8 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 is rigged as a fractional_rig_sloop while the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat FX One Classic Classic 2002 carries Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably.
Both the Hobie Cat Hobie Cat 21 SE SE 1987 and Hobie Cat Hobie Cat FX One Classic Classic 2002 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 FX One Classic Classic 2002 at 17,2 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew, trailerable, and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.