ETAP 28S Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The defining trait of the 28S is its ship-in-ship double-hull structure, with closed-cell polyurethane foam injected between the inner and outer fiberglass skins anchor. That foam is not merely insulation; it provides enough buoyancy to offset the weight of the iron ballast keel, the diesel engine, and every other fitted component, so the boat remains afloat with most of its freeboard showing even if the hull is breached anchor. This unsinkable character is shared across the ETAP family and is the reason the 28S can meet ISO Offshore Category B stability requirements with either a standard or shoal keel. The wide beam that the flotation volume demands also contributes to a vanishing point of stability calculated at 118 degrees under the ISO STIX method anchor, a reassuring number for a boat of this size.

Practical details reinforce the engineered approach. The toerail is a slightly elevated tubular alloy section that sheds water easily, and the anchor locker sits at mid-freeboard rather than running to the waterline, keeping the bow compartment clear of the wettest zone anchor. A double bow roller projects far enough forward to let an anchor clear the plumb stem on launch or retrieval. At the stern, an open transom and broad swimming platform with a pull-out ladder extend the boat's casual cruising appeal.

Rig and Handling

The 28S carries a Selden backstay-less Bergstrom 7/8ths alloy rig with a classic large-main and small-jib plan, yielding 438 square feet of working sail area that drives the boat eagerly in 12 to 15 knots anchor. A self-tacking jib track at the aft end of the foretriangle turns the furling headsail into a single-sheet operation, well suited to short-handed sailing. The deck-stepped spar rests on a substantial compression post, and the wide beam gives 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, though the same rudder shows some prop-wash flutter at the dock — a common trait of boats with the propeller close to the blade anchor.

Accommodations

Below, the Bertone-styled interior lays out comfortable berths for weekend cruising, a minimal but functional galley, and a separate enclosed head within an open and spacious saloon anchor. The standard plan provides berths for six, with an option to close off the forepeak for dedicated storage. Ventilation is adequate for temperate waters through opening ports and a large foredeck hatch, though the large fixed forward-facing coach-roof window cannot be opened — a limitation owners in hotter climates will notice anchor.

Power and Systems

A three-cylinder 19-horsepower Volvo D1 diesel moves the 28S at about 6 knots through a smooth-running saildrive and sips fuel in the process anchor. The engine sits on stringers integral with the inner hull, a robust mounting solution. Tankage is 30 gallons of water and 17 gallons of diesel, carried in heavy-gauge roto-molded plastic tanks secured by shaped bunks and alloy straps. Deck fills for water and fuel are placed on opposite sides to reduce contamination risk.

The Verdict

The ETAP 28S is a thoughtfully engineered pocket cruiser that trades racing finesse for unsinkable security, volume, and easy handling. Its double-skin flotation, Category B rating, and self-tacking rig make it a confident coastal and short-offshore companion, while the Bertone interior gives it a modern feel rare in the size class. The wide beam and stocky displacement are the price paid for that security, and the fixed coach window limits tropical ventilation.

Pros