The Etap 38i Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Based on these ratios, the Etap 38i is likely to perform well in light to moderate winds, but may need to be reefed early in stronger breezes. The boat is reasonably stiff and stable, but not very heavy or comfortable for long offshore passages. 

The Etap 38i is no longer in production. Production ended in 1997, after 95 boats were built.

There were no alternative versions of the Etap 38i built. The boat was only available with a wing keel and a masthead sloop rig.

The Etap 38i can sleep up to six people in three cabins. There is a double berth in the forward cabin, an L-shaped settee and a straight settee in the main cabin, and another double berth in the aft cabin on the port side.

The builders of the Etap 38i are Etap Yachting, a Belgian company that was founded in 1970 by Norbert Joris. The company specialized in producing unsinkable sailboats with double-skinned construction and polyurethane foam filling. The company also developed innovative features such as flush decks, wing keels, deck saloons, and tandem keels. The company produced over 7,000 boats in various models ranging from 20 to 46 feet. The company went bankrupt in 2009 due to financial difficulties and was acquired by Dehler Yachts, a German company. The Etap brand was discontinued and the production facilities were closed.

The mast on the Etap 38i is deck-stepped.

The Etap 38i has a standard sailplan and rig option, which is a masthead sloop with a fully battened mainsail and a furling genoa. The boat has a single spreader rig with stainless steel wire standing rigging and a rigid boom vang. The sail area is 600ft² (56m²).

The Etap 38i has only one keel option, which is a fixed wing keel. The wing keel is designed to reduce the draft and increase the stability of the boat. The keel is made of cast iron and has a ballast of 4,850 lb (2,200 kg). The draft of the boat with the wing keel is 5.09 ft (1.55 m).

The average asking price of a secondhand Etap 38i varies depending on the condition, age, equipment, and location of the boat. According to some online sources, the average asking price of a secondhand Etap 38i in 2021 was around $70,000 USD.

The Etap 38i can be compared to other similar sailboats in its class, such as the Beneteau Oceanis 381, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37, the Bavaria 37 Cruiser, and the Dufour 3800. These boats are all around 37 to 38 feet long and have similar design features and performance characteristics. Some of the differences between them are:

• The Beneteau Oceanis 381 has a higher displacement, a larger sail area, and a deeper draft than the Etap 38i. It also has more interior space and comfort, but less speed and agility.

• The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 has a lower displacement, a smaller sail area, and a shallower draft than the Etap 38i. It also has less interior space and comfort, but more speed and agility.

• The Bavaria 37 Cruiser has a similar displacement, sail area, and draft as the Etap 38i. It also has similar interior space and comfort, but slightly less speed and agility.

• The Dufour 3800 has a lower displacement, a smaller sail area, and a shallower draft than the Etap 38i. It also has less interior space and comfort, but more speed and agility.