Design and Construction
The Etap 26i measures 25ft 9in overall, with a 23ft 5in waterline and a 9ft 1in beam. Displacement is a modest 5,071 lbs, including 1,433 lbs of ballast.
Etap used a double-skin foam-sandwich structure so the boat is unsinkable. The hull form itself is conservative rather than radical.
The tandem keel is the defining feature. One owner bought the boat specifically because this arrangement provides a shallow draught, listed at 2ft 11in. A scoop stern makes it easy to board from a dinghy or directly from the water, while cork tiles cover the deck instead of bare fiberglass. Period observers noted that the stanchions are very low—worth bearing in mind for anyone relying on lifeline height at the rail.
Rig and Handling
The 26i has a fractional sloop rig carrying 277 sq ft without a backstay. The lack of a backstay allows a well-roached mainsail, with the crosstrees swept back to compensate for its absence. A cockpit shelter provides access to the control lines, keeping sail trim within reach of the helm.
The standard self-tacking jib is a weak point. Owners report that it’s underpowered to windward and completely ineffective off the wind. A code zero sets beautifully on a broad reach but isn’t designed for sailing to windward. Because it lacks a wire luff, it also tends not to furl properly.
The 10hp Volvo Penta is clearly underpowered under motor, limiting the boat when docking in calm air or punching tides.
Accommodations
Below decks, the 26i is brighter than many of her contemporaries. Large coachroof windows, a huge forward-cabin window, a large foredeck hatch, and several portlights combine to make her extremely light.
The saloon extends all the way to the bow. Farther aft, the galley and a standing chart table sit amidships, while the heads and a cabin lie on either side of the cockpit moulding. The chart table is a useful feature, and the galley is decent for a boat of this size, although the hob isn’t gimballed. The forward saloon and its table, which slides down, follow a pattern typical of other small cruisers from the period.
Known Issues
The main sail-handling complaints are the self-tacking jib’s limited wind range and the code zero’s furling problem, caused by its lack of a wire luff. The low stanchions are a built-in feature rather than a failure, but they have implications for crew security.
The Verdict
The Etap 26i is a specialized pocket cruiser for shoal-water explorers who prefer a buoyant, unsinkable hull and a light-filled interior to outright performance. She rewards a sailor willing to fit a larger reaching sail and accept modest engine power. Her tandem keel also opens anchorages that are closed to deeper fin-keel rivals.
Pros
- Unsinkable double-skin foam-sandwich hull
- Tandem keel provides 2ft 11in draught for thin water
- Exceptionally bright cabin, with a saloon extending to the bow and a standing chart table
- Scoop stern makes access from the water or a dinghy easier
Cons
- 10hp Volvo Penta is underpowered under motor
- Standard self-tacking jib is weak to windward and off the wind
- Code zero lacks a wire luff and furls poorly
- Low stanchions reduce lifeline security
