ETAP 21i Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 21i shares with the rest of the ETAP line the unique virtue of being virtually unsinkable through foam-filled construction, and one owner went further in calling his example effectively unsinkable after a round-the-world voyage on the type anchor. The broader Etap 21 review notes the foam also makes the hull very quiet when sleeping aboard and eliminates condensation, a real gain in a 2,712-pound boat with limited cabin volume. Structurally, the Etap 21’s internal mouldings are superb, with stowage areas fully lined, and aluminium pads are moulded into the skins to take loads of aftermarket deck fittings, with the builder supplying reference points for drilling. The hull itself follows a Mini Transat-style form with plenty of beam aft anchor, and the fixed keel on the 21i is a 0.70-metre draught tandem unit; testers found the cast-iron bulb keel stiffens her up as the wind builds.

Rudder and Steering

A defining feature is the double rudder system, present on both the 21i and the Etap 21. The rudders are inclined to the vertical at rest, lower tips canted outwards, and as the boat heels the leeward rudder becomes more or less vertical and is pushed deeper as the bilge submerges, giving exceptional directional stability anchor. The trade-off noted by test sailors is that the twin rudders make steering a bit heavier than a single setup would be. A Spinlock sliding tiller extension is fitted on the reviewed boat. One 21i owner flagged the twin rudder system as quite exposed, a vulnerability worth noting on a 21-foot cruiser.

Rig and Handling

The rig is deliberately modest: a roach-free main with fixed backstays and a conservative overall plan. Reefing is arranged with a red line on port and a blue line on starboard, each through small blocks permanently attached to the sail, and the system is meant to be fast and easy without winches. The mainsheet traveller bridge can be removed to open the cockpit when at rest. An owner demonstrated the rig’s flexibility by sailing with the mast lowered on deck to pass under bridges. Under power, the 21i carries a 10 hp Yamaha outboard, while the Etap 21 example used a 5 hp Yamaha with fine-pitch prop.

Accommodations

Below, the Etap 21 is open-plan with a vee-berth forward and quarter berths aft, a neat and comfortable fit-out with a head stationed beneath the bow cushions that uses chemical cartridges and a two-burner metho stove. The sink connects to removable 10-litre jerrycans, and storage is expanded by two large removable fabric bags on the hull sides; the tabletop sets in either cabin or cockpit and stows away. The 21i owner described a great layout with cosy elements — sleeping area, table, kitchen, and a sea toilet — and judged one or two people the acceptable limit, with three only manageable for a few days. His boat lacked proper diesel heating.

Known Issues

The principal documented weaknesses are the exposed twin rudders and a rig fitting failure: in two-metre seas during a strong Golfe du Lion blow, one 21i owner reported the lug fitting broke. The rudders’ exposure invites impact damage, and the reefing and deck hardware deserve close inspection on any candidate.

The Verdict

The ETAP 21i is a clever pocket cruiser that trades deep-keel performance for unsinkable construction, a 0.70-metre keel, and a social cockpit. Its foam-core quietness and condensation-free interior suit extended coastal cruising, and the global circumnavigation of the near-sister type proves the platform’s seaworthiness at small size. The exposed rudders and modest rig loads keep ownership simple but demand care in rough water.

Pros