With a 27-foot-8-inch waterline and nearly 11 feet of beam packed into a 28-foot hull, the 28S is a stocky, volume-driven cruiser rather than a lithe racer. Even so, it carries enough sail and stability to make short-hop coastal cruising genuinely enjoyable.
Design and Construction
The defining feature of the 28S is its ship-in-ship double-hull structure, with closed-cell polyurethane foam injected between the inner and outer fiberglass skins. The foam does more than provide insulation. It supplies enough buoyancy to offset the iron ballast keel, diesel engine, and every other fitted component, allowing the boat to remain afloat with most of its freeboard showing even if the hull is breached.
This unsinkable construction is shared across the ETAP family. It also allows the 28S to meet ISO Offshore Category B stability requirements with either the standard or shoal keel. The wide beam demanded by the flotation volume contributes to a vanishing point of stability calculated at 118 degrees under the ISO STIX method—a reassuring figure for a boat of this size.
Practical details reinforce the boat’s engineered approach. The toerail is a slightly raised tubular-alloy section that sheds water easily. The anchor locker sits at mid-freeboard rather than extending to the waterline, keeping the bow compartment clear of the wettest zone. A double bow roller projects far enough forward for an anchor to clear the plumb stem during launch and retrieval.
At the stern, an open transom leads to a broad swimming platform with a pull-out ladder, adding to the boat’s appeal for casual cruising.
Rig and Handling
The 28S carries a Selden backstay-less Bergstrom 7/8ths alloy rig, with the classic combination of a large mainsail and small jib. Its 438 square feet of working sail area drives the boat eagerly in 12 to 15 knots.
A self-tacking jib track at the aft end of the foretriangle makes the furling headsail a single-sheet operation, well suited to short-handed sailing. The deck-stepped spar bears on a substantial compression post, while the wide beam provides shroud geometry that reduces rig loads.
Under sail, the semi-balanced spade rudder—carried on a self-aligning needle bearing—proved a pleasure to handle. At the dock, however, the rudder shows some prop-wash flutter, a common trait on boats with the propeller close to the blade.
Accommodations
Below, the Bertone-styled interior combines comfortable weekend-cruising berths, a minimal but functional galley, and a separate enclosed head within an open, spacious saloon. The standard layout provides berths for six, with an option to close off the forepeak for dedicated storage.
Opening ports and a large foredeck hatch provide adequate ventilation for temperate waters. The large, fixed, forward-facing coach-roof window can’t be opened, however—a limitation that owners in hotter climates will notice.
Power and Systems
A three-cylinder 19-horsepower Volvo D1 diesel drives the 28S at about 6 knots through a smooth-running saildrive while using little fuel. The engine is mounted on stringers integral with the inner hull, providing a robust mounting solution.
Tankage consists of 30 gallons of water and 17 gallons of diesel. Both are carried in heavy-gauge roto-molded plastic tanks secured by shaped bunks and alloy straps. The water and fuel deck fills are placed on opposite sides of the boat to reduce the risk of contamination.
Verdict
The ETAP 28S is a thoughtfully engineered pocket cruiser that trades racing finesse for unsinkable security, interior volume, and easy handling. Its double-skin flotation, Category B rating, and self-tacking rig make it a confident companion for coastal and short-offshore sailing. The Bertone interior also gives it a modern feel that’s rare in this size class.
The wide beam and stocky displacement are the price of that security and volume, while the fixed coach-roof window limits ventilation in tropical conditions.
Pros
- Unsinkable, foam-filled double-hull construction with verified positive buoyancy
- 118-degree stability angle under the ISO STIX Category B standard
- Self-tacking jib and backstay-less Bergstrom rig simplify short-handed sailing
- Separate head and six berths in a contemporary open layout
Cons
- Fixed forward coach-roof window limits ventilation in hot climates
- Prop-wash rudder flutter at low speed
- Stocky, beam-driven hull trades light-air agility for volume
