Etchells Class Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the Etchells Class traces back to 1966, when Skip Etchells designed the prototype, named 'Shililah', to compete in the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) trials for a new three-man keelboat Olympic class. Despite its impressive performance and winning nearly every race during the trials, the Soling was ultimately chosen. Undeterred, the design's inherent speed and competitive nature quickly captured the attention of the sailing community. The boat was initially known as the Etchells 22 (or E22), a designation reflecting its waterline length of 22 feet, before being formally renamed the Etchells Class in 1990.

Skip Etchells, through his Old Greenwich Boat Company in Connecticut, USA, built the first 36 Etchells. Over the decades, the class expanded its builder base, with licensed production commencing in Scotland by Robertsons of Sandbank in 1974, Canada by Ontario Yachts in 1975, and Australia by Savage Fibreglass Industries. Petticrows Ltd., while predominantly known for its International Dragon production since 1988, notably began building Etchells in 1995, extending its legacy of precision and performance in one-design racing. The class has seen nearly 2,000 boats built, maintaining remarkable consistency due to stringent class rules enforced by the International Etchells Class Association (IECA), which dictates that hulls, appendages, and rigs must only be manufactured by World Sailing approved, licensed builders. While minor refinements have occurred over the long production run, the core design has remained steadfast, preserving its one-design integrity, though certain issues like the "Mould 11" debate have occasionally highlighted the challenges of maintaining absolute uniformity in a class with multiple builders.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Etchells Class is universally regarded as a high-performance racing machine, designed for close, tactical competition. Its design ratios unequivocally underscore this emphasis on speed and agility. With a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/Disp) of approximately 21.37, the Etchells boasts a powerful sail plan relative to its modest displacement, indicating excellent performance in light and moderate winds and quick acceleration. The ballast to displacement ratio (Ballast/Disp) of around 0.654 is exceptionally high, particularly for a boat of its size, providing superb stiffness and stability. This allows the Etchells to stand up to a significant amount of wind, enabling it to carry full sail longer and offering a forgiving platform for aggressive sail trim. Furthermore, a low displacement to length ratio (Disp/LWL) of approximately 141.9 marks it as a very light and nimble vessel for its length overall of 30.5 feet, further cementing its identity as a purebred racer.

Sailors consistently praise the Etchells for its precise handling, balanced helm, and responsive nature. It demands and rewards fine-tuned sailing skills, offering a "degree of technical sailing" that appeals to competitive racers. Its deep fin keel and skeg-hung rudder contribute to its excellent upwind performance and control in various sea states, making it a formidable competitor on the racecourse. Compared to other one-design keelboats of similar size, the Etchells is known to be notably faster, reinforcing its reputation as a performance benchmark.

Accommodations and Layout

As a dedicated one-design racing keelboat, the Etchells Class features a highly minimalist interior, prioritizing performance and crew functionality over cruising comforts. The design focuses on providing essential space for sail handling, crew movement, and minimal storage for racing gear. Descriptions of its interior layout are scarce, as headroom is limited, and there are typically no fixed berths, a galley, or an enclosed head. The interior is generally an open, spartan arrangement, typically showcasing the robust fiberglass hull construction. Owners and reviewers note that the Etchells, in contrast to more amenity-rich boats, offers "more character" for the pure racing enthusiast, with any "cabin plans" or modifications typically being an owner-driven customization rather than a standard feature. Ventilation is usually through basic hatches, consistent with a boat primarily used for day racing.

Owner's Perspectives

The Etchells Class enjoys a reputation for fostering an "enthusiastic and loyal" global community of owners and sailors. Owners consistently laud the boat's solid construction and its ability to deliver exhilarating, competitive racing experiences. The strict one-design rules, while sometimes leading to debates regarding compliance and measurement intricacies (such as the "Mould 11 issue"), are generally seen as a strength, ensuring that success is primarily a result of sailing skill rather than equipment advantage. Common points of discussion among owners often revolve around fine-tuning and optimizing the boat for racing under the stringent class rules, rather than typical maintenance or comfort concerns found in cruising boat forums. The class benefits from a strong international association that actively supports its members with detailed setup guides and resources, reinforcing the high level of engagement and dedication within the Etchells community.