ETAP 20 Buyer's Guide
The ETAP 20 is a Belgian trailerable cruiser built by ETAP Yachting from 1975 through 1992, with about 1,000 examples completed before the model left production. For a buyer scanning brokerage listings, it is a 20-foot van de Stadt design whose unsinkable foam construction and lifting keel make it as much a trailer-sailer as a kept boat — and one whose used-market condition hinges more on cosmetic care than on structural risk.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every ETAP 20 carries the same core plan: a double V-berth forward with a chemical toilet beneath, two settee quarter berths aft in the main cabin, and a drop-leaf table. The galley sits both sides just aft of the bow with a single-burner stove and sink. The lifting keel box intrudes little, so the open-plan cabin feels larger than the 19-foot-10-inch length suggests, though headroom is a modest 48 inches. Because the keel retracts to 1.57 feet and the boat rigs in about half an hour, most used boats will have spent time on a trailer rather than a permanent mooring — expect worn winches or trailer bearings before you expect hull trouble.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The boat normally carries a 3 to 6 hp outboard for docking, and a buyer should treat that engine as the first consumable to check. Beyond the standard Bermuda fractional sloop rig, downwind sailing may be supported by a spinnaker, and the on-deck worm gear for the lifting keel is standard rather than an upgrade. A shopper should evaluate each boat on the condition of its rig, outboard, and trailer rather than on factory option packages.
What to Inspect
The reviewed record shows no structural or flooding defects, and the only flagged accommodation note is that stowage is somewhat limited. A buyer should still confirm the worm-gear keel mechanism operates smoothly from deck and that the closed-cell foam compartments are intact, since those define the boat's unsinkable character. Otherwise, inspection effort is best spent on the outboard, the kick-up rudder pivot, and the trailer.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the ETAP 20 are Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. For a shopper, the takeaway is straightforward:
- Verify the lifting keel worm gear and bulb pivot move freely
- Check the outboard and trailer bearings as primary wear items
- Confirm foam compartments are sound for unsinkable integrity
- Expect compact stowage and plan gear accordingly
- Favor a complete, lightly trailered example over one with unknown yard history
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the ETAP 20. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 5 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 2 | $5,563 | — |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $3,972 | -28.6% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $2,120 | -46.6% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $4,399 | +107.5% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $4,662 | +6.0% |
Where they're listed
ETAP 20 listings appear across 4 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 3 (37.5%), followed by France and United Kingdom.
Country view
8 listings · 4 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $3,972 | 3 | 0 | 37.5% |
| France | $4,399 | 2 | 0 | 25.0% |
| United Kingdom | $2,718 | 2 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Germany | $4,662 | 1 | 1 | 12.5% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETAP 21i | 21.52' | $ 16,309 | 33 | 11 |
| Leisure 20 | 19.98' | $ 4,349 | 11 | 2 |
| ETAP 20You are here | — | $ 4,085 | 8 | 1 |