The Skeeter FX 21 2013 vs Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 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 Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 measures 24,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 3,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Skeeter FX 21 2013 at 20,8 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Skeeter FX 21 2013 tips the scales at 2 175 lbs — 1 920 lbs more than the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 at 255 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 300 hp for the Skeeter FX 21 2013 and 300 hp for the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Skeeter FX 21 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Skeeter ZX 24 Bay 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Skeeter FX 21 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.