ETAP 30 Buyer's Guide
The ETAP 30 makes a compelling case for the used-boat shopper who wants a light, unsinkable 30-foot Belgian cruiser without the complexity of a later performance model. Jacques de Ridder's design sold 220 examples between 1985 and 1994, and the foam-sandwich hull that makes her unsinkable also defines what you will and will not get in a brokerage example.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every ETAP 30 follows the same interior plan: five sea-berths or six at anchor, a bow double V-berth, two straight main-cabin settees, and a starboard aft berth, with no aft cabin. The heads sit amidships just aft of the bow cabin, and the L-shaped galley is to port forward of the companionway ladder with a two-burner stove and sink. Headroom is fair through most of the boat but restricted in the heads and forecabin because of ETAP's short coachroofs. Stowage is limited across all examples — a function of the double-skin hull, not a sign of poor upkeep.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, heating, autopilot, and chartplotter are commonly fitted, reflecting how owners equipped these boats for European coastal cruising. For a buyer, that cluster means climate comfort and self-steering are usually already addressed; a missing chartplotter is the easiest of the three to add. Beyond those, the standard rig is a 7/8 fractional sloop with aluminum spars and wire rigging on a deck-stepped mast, so any tiller-pilot or plotter you add works within a conventional, well-understood system.
What to Inspect
No structural defects are specific to the class. The one recurring, built-in trait to verify by eye is the limited stowage from the foam sandwich, and the restricted headroom in the heads and forecabin from the short coachroof — neither is a fault, but both shape liveability. Confirm the unsinkable foam-core hull is intact and the solid teak trim is sound, since the good original fit-out is a marker of how the boat left the factory.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the ETAP 30 are the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Greece. For the shopper, the takeaway is straightforward:
- Expect commonly fitted heating, autopilot, and chartplotter; budget only for minor nav upgrades.
- Accept limited stowage and low forward headroom as design constants, not defects.
- Verify the foam-sandwich hull and teak fit-out rather than chasing perfect storage.
- Choose the fin-keel version unless shallow draft is a fixed requirement, as the shoal keel was optional.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the ETAP 30. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 5 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 4 | $23,886 | — |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $11,481 | -51.9% |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $22,388 | +95.0% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $14,925 | -33.3% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $25,947 | +73.8% |
Where they're listed
ETAP 30 listings appear across 5 countries. Germany has the most listings with 2 (25.0%), followed by France and Netherlands.
Country view
8 listings · 5 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | $21,527 | 2 | 0 | 25.0% |
| France | $28,473 | 2 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Netherlands | $18,657 | 2 | 0 | 25.0% |
| United Kingdom | $19,644 | 1 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Greece | $11,481 | 1 | 0 | 12.5% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETAP 30I | 29.33' | $ 42,613 | 24 | 7 |
| Sweden Yachts 340 | 34' | $ 61,967 | 18 | 5 |
| Victoria Victoria 30 | 29.67' | $ 27,027 | 14 | 4 |
| Ericson 30+ | 29.92' | $ 19,411 | 12 | 1 |
| ETAP 32S | 32.25' | $ 58,496 | 12 | 3 |
| ETAP 30You are here | — | $ 21,016 | 8 | 0 |