Design and Construction
The ETAP 21i is a 6.56-metre fractional-sloop cruiser with a 2.49-metre beam. Its fixed tandem keel draws just 0.70 metres. The hull follows a Mini Transat-style form, with plenty of beam aft. Testers found that the cast-iron bulb keel stiffens the boat as the wind builds.
Like the rest of the ETAP line, the 21i uses foam-filled construction intended to make the boat virtually unsinkable. One owner went further, calling his example effectively unsinkable after the round-the-world voyage by the German family aboard the near-sister Etap 21.
The broader Etap 21 review also notes two useful side effects of the foam: the hull is very quiet when sleeping aboard, and the construction eliminates condensation. Both are real gains in a 2,712-pound boat with limited cabin volume.
Structurally, the Etap 21’s internal mouldings are superb, and its stowage areas are fully lined. Aluminium pads moulded into the skins carry the loads from aftermarket deck fittings, with the builder supplying reference points for drilling.
Rudders and Steering
The twin-rudder system is a defining feature of both the 21i and the Etap 21. At rest, the rudders are inclined from the vertical, with their lower tips canted outwards. As the boat heels, the leeward rudder becomes more or less vertical and is driven deeper as the bilge submerges, providing exceptional directional stability.
Test sailors noted a trade-off: the twin rudders make the steering somewhat heavier than a single-rudder arrangement would. The reviewed boat was fitted with a Spinlock sliding tiller extension. One 21i owner also described the rudders as quite exposed, a vulnerability worth noting on a 21-foot cruiser.
Rig, Sailing and Auxiliary Power
The rig is deliberately modest, with a roach-free mainsail, fixed backstays and a conservative overall sail plan. Reefing is handled by a red line to port and a blue line to starboard. Each runs through small blocks permanently attached to the sail, creating a system intended to be quick and easy to use without winches.
The mainsheet traveller bridge can be removed to open up the cockpit while the boat is at rest. One owner also demonstrated the rig’s flexibility by sailing with the mast lowered onto the deck to pass beneath bridges.
Under power, the 21i carries a 10 hp Yamaha outboard. The Etap 21 example used a 5 hp Yamaha with a fine-pitch propeller.
Accommodation
Below, the Etap 21 has a neat, comfortable open-plan interior, with a vee-berth forward and quarter berths aft. The head sits beneath the bow cushions and uses chemical cartridges, while the galley has a two-burner metho stove. The sink draws from removable 10-litre jerrycans.
Two large, removable fabric bags mounted along the hull sides provide additional storage. The tabletop can be used in either the cabin or cockpit, then stowed away when it isn’t needed.
The 21i owner described the layout as great, with cosy elements that include a sleeping area, table, kitchen and sea toilet. He considered one or two people the acceptable limit for cruising; three would be manageable for only a few days. His boat did not have proper diesel heating.
Known Issues
The main documented concerns are the exposed twin rudders and one reported rig-fitting failure. During a strong Golfe du Lion blow in two-metre seas, a 21i owner reported that the lug fitting broke.
The rudders’ exposed position leaves them vulnerable to impact damage. The reefing system and deck hardware also deserve close inspection on any prospective purchase.
The Verdict
The ETAP 21i is a clever pocket cruiser that trades deep-keel performance for virtually unsinkable construction, a shallow 0.70-metre keel and a social cockpit. Its quiet, condensation-free interior suits extended coastal cruising, while the circumnavigation by the German family aboard the near-sister Etap 21 proves the platform’s seaworthiness at this small size.
The exposed rudders require care, particularly in rough or shallow water. The modest rig loads keep ownership simple, though the reported lug-fitting failure remains a point to inspect.
Pros
- Virtually unsinkable, foam-filled double-skin construction
- Shallow 0.70 m tandem keel for easy launching
- Exceptional directional stability from the twin-rudder geometry when heeled
- Fast, winch-free reefing with permanently rigged lines
- Open-plan cabin with a convertible table and removable storage
Cons
- Twin rudders are quite exposed to impact damage
- Lug-fitting failure reported in two-metre seas during a strong Golfe du Lion blow
- Comfortable cruising limited to one or two people
- No proper diesel heating on the owner’s example
