etap 21 sailboat

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Trying to sink an unsinkable boat

• Chris Beeson
• July 2, 2015

It’s every sailor’s nightmare: holed and taking on water. For Chris Beeson, the unsinkable Etap turned this sinking feeling into an unusual spa session

The Etap 21i sailing with her normal freeboard, before we opened the seacocks and attempted to scuttle her Credit: Lester McCarthy/YM

I thought it would feel stranger than it did, wading knee-deep through a flooded boat. While we were being towed out to the Needles, where we’d planned to founder, I was half expecting some mental switch to trip as the water started gushing in, overwhelming me with primal panic. Corporal Jones from Dad’s Navy, I thought. In the event, it was no more alarming than wallowing in a strangely shaped bath with several other men. Scary enough, but some way short of a crisis.

The bunk locker lids were barely awash when the water ingress stopped

The drama was limited first by the fact that we weren’t allowed to whack gaping holes below the waterline. The new owners of this boat, Grahame and Janine Mason, were understandably reticent about that. They did, however, kindly allow us to open the seacocks in an attempt to send their pride and joy to the bottom. And they did, sensibly, specify that we did so before they took delivery. The UK West Country broker of this yacht, Yachts of Dartmouth, set the wheels in motion.

We were towed out to the Needles by the SeaStart RIB. SeaStart was there to act as a photo-boat but aboard the Etap, I felt a good deal more comfortable knowing that there was something powerful, inflatable and fast nearby should anything go wrong. Once in position – and with nobody having said: ‘Actually, this is a daft idea. Let’s go back, eh?’ – we opened the seacocks.

We expected the seacocks to gush, but they merely dribbled

I was expecting something akin to ‘Old Faithful’ to erupt from the valve, bringing chaos with it. I had imagined the engine room scene from Noel Coward and David Lean’s wartime classic In Which We Serve . The reality was, frankly, disappointing, more like someone spilling a glass of water. This was the second drama limitation. When boats are holed and sinking, the hole is much larger, usually hidden behind joinery, and the ingress much faster.

It took a good 15-20 minutes for the flares canister to start bobbing about

Having established that we needed to slow to a stop to get any decent ingress, the flooding began. The boat took a while to fill up, even with both the sink and the larger heads seacocks open. It was a good 15-20 minutes before the flare canister started bobbing around. Within half an hour the lids of the bunk lockers began to open and shut with water pressure as the boat rolled in a gentle swell. After 45 minutes, the seacocks were no longer letting water in. We were as low as we could go.

The boat took a long time to fill up – even with all three seacocks open

We had a quick bash at sailing but the lack of wind prevented us finding out how her performance was affected by the extra load. Gert, the Etap representative onboard, has done this a few times, most notably in a 24ft Etap, crossing the Channel twice in a day with the boat flooded. He estimated that flooding slows the boat down by 1 knot, not bad considering he reefs to reduce strain on the rig.

Even flooded to the waterline, there was still plenty of freeboard thanks to the closed-cell foam that fills many of her cavities

Once we had all the photos we needed and the novelty of sinking had worn off, the seacocks were closed and the bailing began. We used a 14-litre bucket, scooping on average 8-10 litres each time. The last 30 buckets, filled using a bailer, were brim-full. We emptied 260 buckets in 40 minutes then mopped up the remainder with a sponge. A quick, approximate calculation suggests there were over 2,000 litres of water inside.

A rough calculation of the number of buckets we bailed suggested we took on 2,000 litres of water

Other than the fact that Etap does indeed make unsinkable boats, I’m not sure what we learned. I was hoping to vaccinate myself to the shock of a boat flooding so that, should the nightmare ever strike, I’ll be clearer headed. As it turned out, the height of the drama was a slightly damp mobile phone.

Tech Specs -Etap 21 i (Hull no. 549)

LOA: 6.56m (21ft 6in)

LWL: 6.10m (20ft)

Beam: 2.49m (8ft 2in)

Draught: tandem keel: 0.7m (2ft 4in); fin keel: 1.3m (4ft 3in)

Displacement: tandem keel: 1,230kg (2,712lb); fin keel: 1,180kg (2,601lb)

Ballast: tandem keel: 350kg (771lb); fin keel: 300kg (661lb)

Sail area: 23.9m 2 (258sq ft)

RCD Category: B/C

Price: £30,000 (new, in 2007)

Website: www.etapyachting.com

BUILDING THE UNSINKABLE

Spaces between inner and outer skins of hull and deck are packed with closed-cell polyurethane foam

Etap is the only builder of unsinkable yachts and is currently (2007) seeking a Lloyds certificate to that effect. Sadler Yachts used to have a claim to this title before it ceased production but, according to the only standard of unsinkability (that of the French Merchant Marine), unsinkability means that freeboard is reduced by less than 3% of LOA when flooded. Sadlers, though they wouldn’t actually sink, would flood close to deck level.

‘Unsinkable’ means freeboard is reduced by less than 3 per cent of LOA when flooded

The secret lies in the construction. The whole Etap range, from 21-46ft, uses double-skinned hulls and decks. The spaces between the two skins, and several other pockets throughout the hull and deck, are packed with closed-cell polyurethane foam.

This Etap 38i struck a reef and stuck fast while sailing in the Red Sea

Even if the hull is breached, only the foam damaged by the impact will absorb water. The rest of it, even when exposed to water rather than protected by GRP, has a maximum moisture absorption of 2% after 24 hours.

She was hauled off the reef and remained afloat, though flooded, as she was towed to safety

The result is an unsinkable boat, but there are other benefits. The boat is much stiffer as a result. Also, the foam acts as excellent insulation. It’s warmer below in winter and cooler below in summer. You can leave bedding on an Etap all winter and it will be condensation-free when you return in spring.

Of course, the extra design, materials and labour that go into building an Etap make this a fairly expensive 21-footer but, it you want to, you can buy peace of mind.

DISASTER-PROOFING

Watertight bulkheads

All new ocean racing yachts are fitted with watertight bulkheads. These are sealed, internal bulkheads with a lockable, watertight hatch and as few cable ducts as possible placed as high as possible. To be effective, at least two are required, dividing the boat into roughly equal volumes so that, should one area flood, there is sufficient volume left unflooded to maintain buoyancy. It’s rare for cruising owners to request watertight bulkheads but the more expensive boatbuilders can fit them during build.

Flotation bags

This is a well-established, relatively inexpensive and very effective method of creating buoyancy. These durable bags are easy to store when deflated and can be inflated with carbon dioxide from a SCUBA tank and secured either to anchor points inside the hull or to slings beneath the hull using webbing strops attached to the bags. As GRP supports 25% of its own weight in seawater, you need enough bags to support at least 75% of the boat’s displacement.

PUMPING POWER

A good engine-driven bilge pump will shift about 40 gallons per minute under ideal conditions. The average hand-operated one will only pump half that quantity.

Bilge pump ratings in the manufacturers’ claims are usually for 60 pumps per minute against no resistance, and with no need to lift the water (to a particular height above sea level) before discharging it. A head of 7ft will halve the output.

Any length of piping will rapidly reduce the efficiency of the pump, as length of pipe plays an important role in generating the resistance against which the pump is working.

Just to depress you further, you cannot pump faster than the time it takes the pump to fill and empty. Otherwise the pump loses efficiency. The classic ‘frightened man with a two-gallon bucket’ will shift about 20 gallons a minute. That involves lifting and throwing 20lbs of water every six seconds.

GOING DOWN: FACTS AND FIGURES

The flow of water through a hole is directly proportional to the fourth power of the radius of the hole. A two-inch hole will let in four times as much water as a one-inch hole.

If the hole letting in the water is bigger than the smallest part of the bilge pump pipework, you will surely sink unless you can make the hole smaller.

At a depth of three feet, a hole just one inch in diameter is estimated to pass 34 gallons a minute. Over an hour, that amounts to 2,040 gallons.

Etap 21i - Etap / STW003140

cabin cruiser

overall length

hull length

waterline length

standard draft

minimum draft

displacement

diesel tank

mast height

Accomodation layouts

standard version

If you find some wrong or lacking data of this boat, you can propose an update.

Technical forum: etap 21i.

Etap 21i I am interested in the technical drawings of the hull/keel joint of the tandem keel version , the twin rudder technical drawings and the rod kicker drawings of the Etap21i 07/11/2023 by stw-8128

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Beneteau 211 Versus Etap 21i

• Thread starter DMac
• Start date 5 Apr 2004

Hi, I am currently interested in buying a 21ft sailing boat and am looking at either the Beneteau First 211 or the Etap 21i. I have spoken to a number of owners of the 211 and they have all been positive about the boat however I have not been able to find any Etap 21i owners so I'm looking for some here! The boat will be sailed off the south coast of Ireland mainly for cruising but I'd like to keep the option of racing open. I have heard that the Etap suffers somewhat with the tandem keel when racing but I dont know how much this would affect cruising - the fin keel version is not an option unfortunately. If anybody has experience of sailing either of these boats I'd be very interested in your opinion and pros and cons of both. Thanks a lot, Declan. Cork, Ireland. <hr width=100% size=1>  

I have an ETAP 21i, which I purchased new in 2001. I also looked at the Beneteau First 211 as well as the Jeaneau 2000. I dismissed the Jeaneau early on in the buying process as I thought it was too cheap and this was reflected in the quality of the end product. I then tried to view a Beneteau First 211 at my local Beneteau dealer in South of Scotland, but he was quite blatantly disinterested in my enquiry. He justified his disinterest by stating that there was not enough profit in a First 211 for him to invest much time in my enquiry. On the other hand the Etap dealer (Yacht Services based at Derwent Water), could not have been more helpful. When I viewed both boats (I viewed a Beneteau at my local yacht club at Port Edgar & I viewed an Etap at the Etap dealer), the Etap was in my opinion quite obviously better built. The Beneteau seemed to be more flimsy in construction and of course you have the swing keel, which is just something else to go wrong and seize up. In addition, the Etap is certified as unsinkable, which I find quite reassuring especially as I have a young family. As the prices of the Beneteau & the Etap were quite similar, I decided to purchase a new Etap 21i with tandem keel. I took delivery of my new boat in July 2001 and I have to say that the after sales service has been excellent, with the dealer spending a considerable amount of time, at Port Edgar, setting up and commissioning the boat. Three years later I am still very pleased with my purchase. The boat is still in excellent condition, looking as good as new and I have not had any problems. It always attracts positive comments from onlookers. The only slight down side is the tandem keel, as it does impact upon the upwind performance. I don’t want to overstate this issue, as it is not a major problem, but it does not perform as well as a fin keel, although it does outperform a twin keel. I have raced the boat a few times and you do become aware of the slight limitations of the keel in this situation. However, when cruising (which is what I spend most of my time doing) you do not notice any performance loss. Another slight gripe is the lack of an anchor well, but as I do not anchor the boat that much, this does not bother me. Finally, the rudders on earlier boats do not lift, so they do get covered in weed, which can be a bit of a pain. I understand that newer boats have lifting rudders so this should not affect you if you are buying new. Finally, the Etap depreciates slower than the Beneteau and this is demonstrated by the secondhand prices in the yachting press. This is of course good news when you come to sell your boat. If you have any other questions please contact me. Regards David <hr width=100% size=1>  

Johnboy2004

i would disagree. i checked out the etap 21i before buying my current Beneteau 211, and found the 211 to be the better boat. the 211, looks smarter, can sail closer to the wind, which is handy if you want to do some racing. also the etap21i has an RCD class of C where the 211 has RCD class of B4. which means the 211 can take rougher weather than the 21i etap. the 211 is also certified as unsinkable. the 211 is also cheaper than the etap 21i also the 211 has a furling jib the etap doesent.,.... the sailing equipment on the etap is very basic compared to the 211.. the 211 is a cruiser/racer. just look at the number of 211's in ireland compared to the number of etap 21i, and that will tell you what a good boat the 211 is. also when fitting extra deck gear on the etap 21i it is more difficult as you have foam inside the hull, which can be a problem if it gets wet........ anyways i chose the 211 over the etap 21i as the boat is a lot better, the finish is also quite good on the 211...... but anyways thats just my opinion,,,, im based out of dublin. <hr width=100% size=1>  

Looks are a matter of personal taste. The overall design of the two boats is quite similar. I accept the Beneteau can sail closer to the wind but only against the Etap with the Tandem Keel. The Etap 21i can be converted to RCD B using an official Etap conversion kit (see Etap website), which consists of a small conversion kit to heighten the entrance to the cabin by a few centimeters (to a height of 25 cm), so the statement that the Beneteau can take rougher weather is a bit misleading. Also I am not convinced that either boat is really suitable for RCD B - with or without a conversion kit. As for unsinkability, it is my understanding that the Beneteau has not been truly and independently certified unsinkable. The Etap has been certified independently and just to demonstrate this someone opened up all the valves and flooded the boat and then sailed it across the English Channel. Not something you would want to do, but demonstrates an important point. The Etap does have a furling jib as an optional extra, which I ordered with the new boat. Most Etap 21i’s are sold with this extra. As for the equipment levels and the price (at time of purchase in 2001), they are very similar as I studied the specifications for the 2 boats very carefully. The Etap was slightly more expensive at the time but the difference was minimal. Of course the 211 is more popular. It is produced by one of the largest mass production manufacturers, with a big marketing budget. However, being popular does not necessarily mean that you are the best by any stretch of the imagination. You only have to look at the car market to demonstrate this. The point about deck fittings is quite right, but like anything else if the work is done properly there, will not be any problems. Again I would point out that the quality of finish on the Etap is definitely better and I think most people would be hard pushed to argue against this. This fact is also reflected in the superior residual values. Also the Etap has some nice design features – eg the aluminum toe rail is a far better idea than a strip of teak as on the 211. The teak just rots while you can use the aluminum toe rail to hang and attach all manner of items. Finally, I think your decision has to be based on what you want to do with your boat. If you want to race and the fin keel Etap is not suitable, then go for the Beneteau First 211. If you want to cruise then go for the ETAP 21i. I am sure that every Beneteau owner will say buy a Beneteau and every Etap owner will say buy an Etap. Ultimately I think they are both good boats. Regards David <hr width=100% size=1>  

hi dont get me wrong, i am not knocking the etap 21i , its a nice boat, and the finish is good, when i priced it here a couple of months ago it was about 3,000 euros dearer than the fully loaded 211.....(with yacht club pack and electronics pack). the problem that i found with the etap was that, it came pretty basic and as you say, furling jib is an optional extra, and you have to buy a few extras. which add up and add to the overall cost. i liked the etap, but it was too expensive. i bought the 211 cause it came with everything i need ,,, and didnt have to add extras. both boats are well made. i have the PBO review , if anyone wants to read it i can scan it in , it reviews the boats quite well..... what ever decision you make,, enjoy! and good sailing! <hr width=100% size=1>  

Thanks for the replies, still not fully decided but leaning towards the 211 at the moment. The main factor going against the 21i is the tandem keel, would like the option to race it at some stage. Price is not really a deciding factor as we've negotiated on both to within a couple of hundred of each other with the same spec. Johnboy, if you can scan that PBO review I'd be interested - not sure if you can post it here or just email it to me. Thanks, Declan. <hr width=100% size=1>  

hi Declan do you mind if i ask what price you were quoted on the 211? cheers..... <hr width=100% size=1>  

• 23 Mar 2005

Hi Declan, Just wondering if you made your decision as I'm at the same point myself. Have pretty much decided on the 211 and am looking at a few in the UK. I'll be sailing in Dungarvan Co. Waterford. Regards,  

• 24 Mar 2005

Hi Jj I purchased an Etap 21i in 2001 and a friend purchased a 211 at the same time. If you wish to race and want a flyer then the 211 is the one. If you want to cruise with family the 21i is the one. The 211 is basically a big dinghy and acts like one, whereas the 21i is far more sedate. The internal design and comfort is better on the 21i. I feel the deck hardware on the 211 is more durable and I would agree that the 211 would stand high winds better without anything breaking, but the 211 is a considerable handful in strong winds whereas the 21i is very calm when reefed. Hope this helps!!  

Active member

Just taken delivery of the 21.7 (211 in old money) very very pleased with it. Only been out once so far for the commisioning sail in around 15 gusting 20 knot winds. Having come down from a 34 footer I was a little nervous as how the boat would handle but I was absoutely delighted at its performance and the helm balance. Even in the gusts she remained very predicable and light on the helm. Went through similar thought processes re 21i, finally went for the beneteau as it representd better value for money and although I prefered the etap interior layout. Have to say interior finish of the 21.7 is very good. Better than the 34 footer I downsized from. Guess what I'm doing this weekend? yep out to play. Asymetrical arrived yesterday so lots of fun for the weekend.  

• 29 Mar 2005

Hi Davidwf How much weight did you have up? When racing on 211 we have found you need considerable weight on board or you spend a lot of time with the guard rail in the water in strong winds. But she can fairly move Regards  

Just two of us, we did sit out but were able to keep her fairly level by easing mainsheet with loads of vang on to keep boom level. Think she'd benefit from a mainsheet track but that would be a bit intrusive in the cockpit as I mostly want to single hand her and having to hop over a track to get at the Jib sheets would be a pian. Took her out Friday single handed in about a F2 - 3 found her easy to handle on my own and didn't really need the autopilot in those conditions. Out yesterday in about 3 knots of wind to play with the asymetrical found the long gun pole really made for easy gybes just let the kite fly gybe and haul it through the gap between end of pole and forestay. Mind you may not be so easy in stronger winds !!! Still very impressed with the performance and apart from position of the loo cannot really fault her.  

• 30 Mar 2005

A mainsheet track will make it easier to play the gusts but it does fill the cockpit. All 211 here have spinnakers have not seen one with asymmetric. Flying the spinnaker they develop a life of their own. I have fitted spinnaker to 21i instead of asymmetric which means downwind I can keep up with 211 at least until we come back on the wind, then it's like someone puts the brakes on.  

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With the smallest sailing boat of only 6,5 metres, Etap approaches the younger generation of buyers who primarily fascinated with sports sailing. Exceptionally long waterline, displacement of only 1,1 tones incuding the keel, double lifting rudders and large sail plan are practical solutions that satisfy requirements for racing. Etaps 21i´s additional advantage is that she can also serve as quite comfortable family cruiser, which can accommodate up to four (younger) crewmembers on her 6,5 metres. Understandable is that interior does not boast spaciousness, but functionality of layout and all necessary equipment enable each crew member to feel fine. Published: 2003 Photo: Etap

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Let's connect, why it's important to partner with a designer on your etap 21 sail.

The design is the most critical part of your new sail. Ensuring the sail fits and performs its best is a must for our crew. The Precision Sails Design team are experts at their craft. Unlike other sail lofts all of our sailors work one-on-one with a designer to perfect their Etap 21 sail.

No Two Etap 21 Sails Are Alike

There are many factors that affect the performance and design of your sails. Location, sailing experience, and weather conditions all come into play when picking the perfect sail. Two mainsails made for two Etap 21’s in California and Florida will have different designs, sailcloth, and options based on what is best for the sailor.

Taking measurements is easy. All sailors work alongside our measurement team to measure and confirm their rig specs. This helps ensure your design is flawless and allows us to extend our Perfect Fit Guarantee to all of our sailors.

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“ I just received my asymmetrical spinnaker, with sock and turtle bag, along with a new 135 Genoa. The entire process was simple and both sales and the design team were in regular contact if there were any questions. The customer portal was easy to use and lets you keep track of where in the process your sails are. Great sails, great service -Graham Edwards (Facebook)

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“ Our new furling jib for a Corsair 27 Had to be specially designed due to the height of the furler, but this was accomplished quickly and in short order we had our sail which fits beautifully and has a great shape. It’s everything we could have wanted, high tech design, thoughtfully executed and affordable.” -Nancy Y. (Yelp)

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• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: April 28, 2008

Etap28s 368

On several points, the singular Etap 28s is the most unusual, innovative boat in our lineup. With a distinct, contemporary profile topside and an open, inviting floor plan below, it certainly earns style points for original thinking. But the most radical thing about this newest Etap-and a feature it shares with the five other sister ships, ranging from 21 to 46 feet, in the current Etap line, not to mention all previous Etaps built since 1970-is something that’s not readily apparent to the naked eye: the double-hull construction that renders the boat virtually “unsinkable.”

Etap refers to the building method as “ship-in-ship construction,” which is a very apt description. Basically, every Etap is two boats: twin hulls and decks of solid-fiberglass laminate coupled together with a space in between that’s filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam. The non-absorbent foam is the secret to the process. Should the hull be pierced or otherwise compromised, the boat will remain sufficiently buoyant to stay afloat, even in the event that there’s a large ingress of water. One pays a premium ($138,000) for this level of protection-but the reward is a vessel with supreme waterborne integrity.

There are other, not-so-obvious benefits to the Etap model. For instance, the twin molds afford a high degree of thermal and acoustic insulation, which translates into a quieter, drier (i.e., there’s less condensation) boat. And the hull-within-a-hull sandwich means that the overall structure is particularly rigid and robust.

Now let’s address the things you can see. With its plumb bow and open transom, the 28s takes advantage of nearly every possible inch of available waterline length. The sheer line is nearly straight, and the focal point of the profile view is the Euro-influenced bubbletop coach roof, which is enhanced visually by a series of oval ports and a dark background scheme. There’s not a splinter of wood on deck, though the cockpit seats are enhanced by a faux teak nonskid called Marinedeck that, from a practical standpoint, is very effective. So, too, is the more prevalent gray nonskid on the forward decks. The raised aluminum toerail is cleverly fashioned, but it could also be a safety hazard if someone pinned a foot beneath it.

The rig is a 7/8th fractional number by Seldén with single, swept-back spreaders and the company’s accompanying Rodkicker boom vang. The standard headsail arrangement is a self-tacking 100-percent jib, which is complemented by a partially battened mainsail with generous roach. All reefing lines are led aft to the cockpit, and the mainsheet and traveler are within easy reach of the helmsman, precisely where they should be.

Unfortunately, we sailed the Etap on a day in which the breeze never topped 5 knots, and we couldn’t begin to gauge the boat’s real potential. The 28s would clearly be a lot of fun to drive and easily handled by a solo sailor or a couple. But its high boom, small headsail, and short rig-while no doubt ideal in the windy North Sea and other high-latitude destinations-suggests that it might be underpowered in such light-air venues as the Chesapeake. An overlapping genoa is an option we’d suggest for sailors who cover waters with low-to-moderate breeze.

Below, Italian interior designer Stile Bertone worked wonders with the layout, given the space at hand. With a prevailing theme of arcs and curves, it’s not for everyone, though I found it clean, airy, and very refreshing. Basically, the main saloon, V-berth, nav station, and galley are all one, with two sweeping settees to port and starboard flanking a central table around which all the action flows. At the foot of the companionway, the galley is to port; the nav area and enclosed head are to starboard.

The sole stateroom is aft, with a large, athwartships double berth. The entire interior plan is finished very nicely in light-colored wood, which is offset by the cranberry upholstery and counters. The sensation of space is enhanced by the opening ports and slanted forward hatch, which provide great ventilation, and the central overhead skylight, which offers plenty of natural light. All in all, it’s a cool package.

As a postscript to this story, Etap Yachting was sold in January to German boatbuilder Dehler, adding the Belgian builder’s line of family cruisers to the buyer’s own range of performance-oriented sailboats. This was Dehler’s first expansion since it gained funding from Buchanan Capital Partners, and according to the company, this means that some expansion can be expected at the Etap yard in Malle, Belgium. Etap was founded at that location in 1970 by Norbert Joris.

Herb McCormick is a Cruising World editor at large.

LOA 28′ 3” (8.60 m.) LWL 27′ 9” (8.45 m.) Beam 11′ 3” (3.36 m.) Draft (shoal) 3′ 7” (1.10 m.) Draft (deep/standard) 5′ 9” (1.10 m.) Sail area (100%) 438 sq. ft. (40.8 sq. m) Ballast (shoal) 2,844 lb. (1,290 kg.) Ballast (deep) 2,579 lb. (1,170 kg.) Displacement (shoal) 8,422 lb. (3,820 kg.) Displacement (deep) 8,157 lb. (3,700 kg.) Ballast/D .34 D/Length 175 SA/D 16.9 Water 30 gal. (115 l.) Fuel 17 gal. (65 l.) Engine 19-hp. Volvo diesel Designer Von Ahlen Yacht Design Base Price (sailaway) $138,000 Phone (908) 918-1886 Website www.etap-usa.com

• More: 2001 - 2010 , 21 - 30 ft , Coastal Cruising , etap , keelboat , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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