Design and Construction
The 30i is built predominantly of polyester glassfibre-foam cored sandwich with wood trim, a construction method that simultaneously eliminates the sinking risk and keeps overall displacement moderate. The hull features a raked stem, a walk-through reverse transom, and a fixed fin keel with a cast iron weighted bulb carrying approximately 2,450 lb of ballast. Two keel options were offered at launch — a shoal-draught and a deep-draught version, the deeper drawing just under 5 ft 7 in — giving owners the choice between tidal-harbour flexibility and improved windward performance. The internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller keeps the cockpit uncluttered, though owners accustomed to wheel steering may need an adjustment period. The removable mainsheet track was among the novelties introduced at launch, reflecting a thoughtful approach to deck ergonomics.
Rig and Handling
The 30i carries a 7/8 fractional sloop rig with aluminium spars and a deck-stepped mast supported by a single set of swept spreaders and wire standing rigging. The standard sail plan centres on a non-overlapping, self-tacking headsail that makes single-handed tacking effortless but at a meaningful cost: Yachting Monthly's test crew found the boat decidedly undercanvassed in light to moderate winds. Sailors who prioritise passage speed over ease of handling would be well advised to add the optional overlapping genoa — the rig accommodates a 175 sq ft genoa — or to plan downwind passages around the large symmetrical spinnaker, whose 511 sq ft of area transforms the boat's light-air character. The hull itself was praised by Yachting Monthly as stiff and sea-kindly under sail, a verdict consistent with the moderate ballast-to-displacement ratio and the reassurance that comes from foam-cored buoyancy. The 'EVS' steering system introduced at launch was another handling novelty, though its long-term adoption varied across the fleet.
Accommodation and Interior
The 30i's interior punches noticeably above its waterline length. The bright, cosy saloon — spacious for a 30-footer — arranges a centrally mounted dining table between two straight settee berths and offers generous stowage in lockers along the gunwales. Navigation gets a good-sized chart table with plenty of room for instruments, a meaningful benefit on a boat genuinely intended for offshore use. The L-shaped galley on the port side, positioned just forward of the companionway ladder, contains a two-burner stove, a 65-litre ice box, and a sink — compact but properly equipped. The heads compartment is surprisingly roomy, with hanging space specifically called out for wet oilskins, a detail that signals a designer who understood offshore life. Sleeping accommodation nominally runs to six: a double vee-berth in the bow sealed off from the main cabin by two sliding doors, the two main settee berths, and a dedicated aft cabin with a 6 ft by 5 ft double berth on the port side. Fresh water capacity sits at 130 litres, adequate for extended coastal passages without reprovisioning.
Engine and Systems
The 30i is fitted with a Volvo diesel of 18 hp for docking and manoeuvring. The fuel tank holds 49 litres, a modest reserve that reflects the boat's intended use as a short-handed coastal cruiser rather than a long-range bluewater passage maker. The engine drives the boat at low speeds reliably enough for harbour work but should not be expected to sustain extended motoring against head winds or a strong chop.
Known Issues and Considerations
The boat's primary sailing limitation is structural to the original design rather than a build defect: the standard non-overlapping headsail leaves performance soft when the breeze drops. Owners who want an honest all-conditions performer will need to budget for a furling genoa or an upwind sail plan beyond the stock fit. The foam-cored sandwich, while conferring genuine unsinkability, requires inspection of any potential osmotic or delamination issues in older hulls — glassfibre-foam interfaces can trap moisture if the outer skin is damaged and left unattended over the years. The deck-stepped mast and swept spreaders simplify rig removal but demand attention to mast-step compression loads transferred through the coachroof.
The Verdict
The ETAP 30i is one of the more honest proposals in the thirty-foot cruiser category: a boat that knows exactly what it is and delivers on those priorities with few compromises. It will not excite a performance sailor, and its standard rig politely asks for a stronger breeze before coming alive. What it offers instead is a genuinely sea-kindly platform, a well-thought interior that accommodates a family with real comfort, and a construction philosophy — unsinkable foam-cored sandwich — that provides a margin of safety no other technology at this size fully replicates. For families, short-handed couples, or sailors transitioning from daysailing to overnight coastal cruising, it makes a compelling and coherent case.
Pros
- Foam-cored sandwich hull provides genuine buoyancy reserve that production rivals cannot match
- Interior spaciousness and practical layout well above average for overall length
- Self-tacking headsail and clean deck layout reduce crew workload markedly
- Stiff, sea-kindly hull behaviour rewarding for family and short-handed sailing
- Two draught options expand usable harbours without requiring a twin-keel compromise
- Aft cabin with a proper double berth adds separation and comfort for couples
Cons
- Standard non-overlapping headsail leaves the boat noticeably underpowered in light air
- Tiller steering limits cockpit layout flexibility and may not suit all crews
- 49-litre fuel tank restricts sustained motoring range
- Deck-stepped mast transfers compression loads that require periodic monitoring
- Limited production run means spares and specialist knowledge are less abundant than for mass-market marques
