The Etap 32i Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Etap 32i, and aft-cockpit fractional sloop, was designed by Mortain & Mavrikios and built in Belgium by Etap Yachting.

An Etap 32i

Published Specification for the Etap 32i

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)*

Length Overall: 30'8" (9.4m)

Waterline Length: 26'3" (8.0m)

Beam: 11'3" (3.4m)

Draft: 4'7" (1.4m)

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 9,763lb (4,428kg)

Designer: Mortain & Mavrikios

Builder: Etap Yachting (Belgium)

Year First Built: 1992

Year Last Built: 2000

Number Built: 150

* The double-skinned foam-cored hull provides good insulation and renders the boat unsinkable.

Published Design Ratios for the Etap 32i

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 21.7

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 29.4

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 186

4. Comfort Ratio: 21.9

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.1

Performance Expectations, Based on the Design Ratios
The design ratios of the Etap 32i indicate that it is a fast and agile boat that can perform well in various wind conditions. The sail area to displacement ratio is 21.76, which means that the boat has enough sail power to move swiftly in moderate winds. The displacement to length ratio is 186, which means that the boat is relatively light and has less resistance in the water. The ballast to displacement ratio is 29%, which means that the boat has enough stability and stiffness to handle strong winds and waves.

Production Period and Numbers Produced
The Etap 32i was produced from 1992 to 2000 by Etap Yachting, a Belgian company that specializes in unsinkable sailboats. The company was founded by Norbert Joris in 1970 and started making sailboats in 1974 with the Etap 22 model. The company has produced more than 20 models of sailboats ranging from 20 to 48 feet in length.

The Etap 32i was one of the most popular models of the company, with about 150 boats built during its production period. The boat won several awards and accolades from sailing magazines and associations, such as the European Yacht of the Year in 1993 and the Boat of the Year in France in 1994.

Alternative Versions & Options
The Etap 32i was available in two versions: standard and performance. The standard version had a mast height of 47.7 feet (14.52 meters) and a mainsail area of 280 square feet (26 square meters). The performance version had a taller mast of 50 feet (15.24 meters) and a larger mainsail area of 301 square feet (28 square meters). The performance version also had a deeper keel of 5.25 feet (1.60 meters) instead of the standard keel of 4.60 feet (1.40 meters).

The boat also had several options for customization, such as different types of sails, rigging, electronics, interior layout, upholstery, and equipment. Some of the options included roller furling genoa, lazy jacks, self-tailing winches, autopilot, GPS, VHF radio, CD player, hot water system, refrigerator, oven, cockpit table, sprayhood, bimini top, cockpit cushions, liferaft, anchor windlass, bow thruster, and more.

Number & Location of Sleeping Berths
The Etap 32i has sleeping accommodation for six people in three cabins. The forward cabin has a double V-berth with storage lockers and shelves on both sides. The aft cabin on the port side has another double berth with a hanging locker and a shelf. The main cabin has two straight settee berths on both sides of the saloon table.
The boat also has a galley on the port side near the companionway ladder. The galley is L-shaped and has a three-burner stove, an ice box with a capacity of 17.2 US gallons (65 liters), and a double sink with pressurized water. The head is located on the starboard side opposite the galley and has a marine toilet, a sink, and a shower.
The main cabin has a headroom of 72 inches (183 centimeters) and is well-ventilated and illuminated by several portholes, hatches, and windows. The interior is finished with white oak veneer and stainless steel fittings, giving it a modern and bright look.

History of the Boatbuilder
Etap Yachting is a Belgian boatbuilder that has been making unsinkable sailboats since 1974. The company was founded by Norbert Joris, who started as a manufacturer of lighting, aluminum, and fiberglass products. The name ETAP stands for Electro Technical Apparatus.

The company's first sailboat model was the Etap 22, which was a success with nearly 2,000 units sold. The company then expanded its range with models from 20 to 45 feet in length. The company's boats are known for their innovative and patented double-skin construction, which provides buoyancy, rigidity, sound insulation, and condensation protection. The company claims that its boats are the only unsinkable yachts in the world and have received certification from the French Merchant Navy.
The company has also won several awards and recognition for its quality and design, such as the European Yacht of the Year, the Boat of the Year in France, the Hiswa Award in the Netherlands, and the Sailboat of the Show in England.

The company faced financial difficulties during the Great Recession and was acquired by Dehler Yachts in 2008. However, Dehler Deutschland declared bankruptcy later that year and Etap Yachting was declared insolvent in January 2009. The company's brand and molds were purchased by MIC Industries in March 2009, but no boats were produced until at least 2012. It was reported that the company had ceased operations in 2012, but in 2021 the company was advertising seven models of sailboats and one model of powerboat on its website.

Secondhand Values
The Etap 32i is a boat that retains its value well due to its high quality of construction, unsinkability, and popularity. The boat can be found on the secondhand market for prices ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 USD depending on the year, condition, equipment, and location of the boat.
Some of the factors that affect the value of the boat are:

The version of the boat: The performance version has a higher value than the standard version due to its taller mast, larger sail area, and deeper keel.

The options and equipment of the boat: The boat can have various options and equipment that enhance its comfort, convenience, safety, and performance. Some of the options that increase the value of the boat are roller furling genoa, lazy jacks, self-tailing winches, autopilot, GPS, VHF radio, CD player, hot water system, refrigerator, oven, cockpit table, sprayhood, bimini top, cockpit cushions, liferaft, anchor windlass, bow thruster, and more.

The condition and maintenance of the boat: The boat should be inspected for any signs of damage or wear and tear on the hull, deck, rigging, sails, engine, electronics, plumbing, upholstery, and other components. The boat should also have a regular maintenance schedule to keep it in good shape and prevent any problems or breakdowns.

The location of the boat: The boat's value can vary depending on where it is located. Some regions have higher demand and supply than others for this type of boat. For example, in Europe where the boat was built and sold more widely than in North America or other parts of the world.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.