ETAP 26I Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The 26i's interior follows a coherent plan that ETAP held consistent across the production run, so layout surprises are rare on the used market. The saloon occupies the forward section of the boat and runs all the way to the bow, with a folding table that drops down to form a double berth — an arrangement that makes the most of the 25-foot hull by putting the social space where the light is best, thanks to the large coachroof windows and foredeck hatch. Amidships, the galley sits to one side with a standing chart table opposite, a genuinely useful configuration for a boat this size. Aft of the galley, the heads and a private aft cabin occupy the two quarters on either side of the cockpit moulding. Pale wood panels with rounded corners throughout give the interior a lightness that feels contemporary even now.

The cockpit is notably spacious and ergonomic, with a scoop stern that makes boarding from the water or a dinghy easy. Control lines run back to the cockpit, which suits short-handed sailing well. Cork decking appears on some examples, a material that ages with its own character and provides grip.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Most examples on the brokerage market come fitted with an autopilot, which suits the 26i's typical use as a coastal and river cruiser sailed with minimal crew. The standard self-tacking jib is nearly universal and remains popular for its ease of use, particularly when single-handing. A chartplotter and some form of cabin heating are also commonly fitted, reflecting the Northern European sailing grounds where many of these boats have spent their lives.

Owners often add a spinnaker or asymmetric kite to address the rig's acknowledged weakness off the wind — the backstay-free mast and swept spreaders limit how far the mainsail can be eased when running dead downwind, and the self-tacking jib is too small to power the boat effectively in light airs. A spinnaker is a frequent owner upgrade and a worthwhile addition to look for. Teak or cork deck work appears on some boats, and short-handed sailing setups beyond the standard controls are often seen, including upgraded winches or additional jammers. Occasionally you will find an inverter, a furling main, or a bimini added by previous owners.

What to Inspect

The ETAP 26i's double-skin construction is its most celebrated feature and also the starting point for any survey. The foam-sandwich hull is genuinely robust, but the deck and hull join, the chainplates, and any deck fittings that have been drilled or re-bedded over the years deserve careful attention — water ingress into the sandwich, if it has occurred, is difficult and expensive to remediate. The round stainless steel chainplates that emerge from the hull sides are a distinctive visual feature, but have them checked for corrosion and the integrity of their bedding.

The rig arrangement, with swept-back spreaders and no backstay, places the mast compression loads differently from a conventional setup. Inspect the mast step, the deck compression post, and the shroud attachment points carefully. The swept spreaders also mean the genoa track positions are non-standard if a previous owner has added sheeting for a larger headsail — check any added hardware is properly through-bolted.

The 10hp auxiliary engine is acknowledged to be on the small side for the displacement, and examples with high hours or infrequent use may show deferred maintenance. Check the raw-water impeller, the heat exchanger, and the shaft seal carefully. The tandem keel, a shallow twin-fin arrangement joined by a lower wing, is excellent for shoal-draft sailing but the keel bolts and the bonding between the keel and the hull should be inspected closely — this is a less common configuration and not every surveyor will be equally familiar with it.

The low stanchion height is a design choice rather than a defect, but it makes going forward on deck more exposed than on a conventional boat, so check that any jackstay or safety line fittings added by previous owners are solidly mounted.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The ETAP 26i is most widely available in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Italy, with a meaningful presence in Scandinavia as well — reflecting the Northern European markets where ETAP sold strongly during the production run. Finding examples in North America or further afield is more difficult. The used market is healthy enough that a patient buyer can be selective, and the consistency of the interior layout across the production run simplifies comparisons between boats.

This is a boat for sailors who value practical ingenuity — the unsinkable hull, the short-handed rig, the shoal draft — over outright speed or conventional appearance. It rewards owners who engage with its quirks rather than fight them.

Before committing, work through this checklist:

• Survey the foam-sandwich hull carefully for any water ingress, particularly around deck penetrations and the hull-deck join
• Check keel bolts and the keel-to-hull bond on the tandem keel configuration
• Inspect chainplates, mast step, and spreader roots for corrosion or fatigue
• Assess the engine condition and hours; budget for overdue servicing if records are thin
• Establish which headsail inventory comes with the boat — self-tacking jib alone limits versatility
• Look for a spinnaker or asymmetric kite if off-wind sailing matters to you
• Confirm stanchion and jackstay arrangements are adequate for your crew's safety practice
• Verify any added electronics and instruments are properly installed and functioning