WHAT''S AN ETAP? - Page 2

sailingdog · #11 (**permalink**) 03-04-2007

A few other things about Etaps.

They tend to have a bit less interior volume, compared to other boats in the same size range, since the hull is considerably thicker than that of a standard boat.

One reason the Etaps seem to hold their resale value well is due to the extremely rigid hull that their construction gives them.

Essentially, the Etap can be described as either a double hulled boat, with foam between the hulls or a very thick cored hull—depending on how you want to look at it.

The exterior skin on an Etap hull is almost as thick as the hull on a standard solid fiberglass hull from what I've been told. Needless to say, the Etaps tend to be a bit heavier than some comparably sized boats of similar design.

camaraderie · #12 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007

Question:
Are they really a cored hull with adhesion between the foam and 2 hulls or is there really just a hull liner with foam filling? I always thought it was the latter.
How do you get at the exterior hull for leaks, fittings etc. over time?

PBzeer · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007

"ETAP Yachting decided on a unique, technically refined construction method known as the ETAP ship-in-ship construction. In the ETAP ship-in-ship construction, the deck and hull are double-skinned. The hollow space between the two decks and two hulls is filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam. The closed cell structure is almost entirely non-absorbent and gives the boat sufficient buoyancy."

From the ETAP website.

Idiens · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007

Here's a couple of pictures taken 1n the ETAP factory.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/PIC00091.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/PIC00096.jpg

The first is an example of the inner hull and the second is of boats going out the door.

ETAP claim that the water take-up of the foam they use between the hulls is only 1.5% in 10 years. They admit that what is not designed into the boat is difficult to add afterwards.

sailingdog · #15 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007

Cam-

From what my friend's surveyor said, it sounds like the foam is bonded to both hulls... and basically, as ideins said... adding anything that isn't provided for initially is relatively difficult to do.

stlcat22 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007

My live aboard sailing class was on an Etap 37. Seems to be a very interesting boat. A few details:

The head/galley/nav section of the boat had standing headroom for me (6'4.5") but forward of that has a lower roof. The two sinks are set in a centerline island which I'm still not conviced really makes sense, especially since the island does not cover the area directly behind the stove/range. At anchor or tied up it seemed to work just fine.

For shoal draft, our boat featured twin keels connected by a bulb. Our instructor said that the 32' version with these keels was a joy to run even in reverse. Our boat was very maneuverable but I guess not the the same extreme.

Another thing that didn't come up but might is that like many modern boats the bilge is very shallow. In this case there are no limber holes connecting the various areas and there was a hose you could manauver around to get the bilge pump to clear out any water.

Someone mentioned lack of dealers, as far as I know the charter company I was with also sells the Etaps. They are in the Ft Myers area.

cgschaefer · #17 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007

I'm looking for owners of any Etap 30's on the Chesapeake Bay, especially those that race them in PHRF.

Also, I'm interested to learn if anybody has recommendations on rig tension numbers and rig tune.

Take care,
Carl

Etap 30, "Cadence II"
USA108

SailorMitch · #18 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007

Carl,

I know of one just south of Annapolis -- Herrington Harbor area. The guy posts a lot on Sailing Anarchy and I will track him down over there to hook up with you. Current name of the boat is "Duck Sloop", which I think this guy wants to change for some reason?

Ooops...just noticed you are that guy!!! So never mind. You changed usernames on me, Cheap.

Cruisingdad · #19 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007

Etap= Portugese racing boat without a removeable anchor roller. (smile).

cgschaefer · #20 (**permalink**) 05-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailorMitch

Carl,

I know of one just south of Annapolis -- Herrington Harbor area. The guy posts a lot on Sailing Anarchy and I will track him down over there to hook up with you. Current name of the boat is "Duck Sloop", which I think this guy wants to change for some reason?

Ooops...just noticed you are that guy!!! So never mind. You changed usernames on me, Cheap.

Sorry about that! Yup, I'm one and the same. "Duck Sloop" is now "Cadence II" and we sail out of Herrington Harbour South.

I had heard that there was another Etap 30 on the West River but I haven't been able to locate any additional information on it. If you hear of anyone with an Etap 30 on the Bay (or someplace else for that matter), please let me know. There aren't a lot of us in the States!

Carl

Etap 30, USA 108
"Cadence II"