Design and Construction
ETAP Yachting built the 30i predominantly from polyester glassfibre and a foam-cored sandwich, finished with wood trim. This foam-cored construction renders the boat unsinkable.
The hull has a raked stem and a walk-through reverse transom. Its fixed fin keel carries a weighted bulb and was offered in several wing-keel options, including a shoal version drawing 3ft 3in and a deeper version drawing 5ft 7in. Displacement is 7,937lb with the shoal keel and 7,716lb with the deep keel, with 2,425lb of iron ballast.
A 10ft 4in beam and 26ft 3in waterline give the 30i the volume of a larger boat without stretching its overall length.
Rig and Handling
The 30i carries a deck-stepped, 7/8 fractional sloop rig with aluminum spars, wire standing rigging, and a single set of swept spreaders. A removable mainsheet track was among the novelties Yachting Monthly noted at launch, and the boat also featured “EVS” steering.
The standard sail plan centers on a non-overlapping, self-tacking headsail, which simplifies handling for a short-handed crew or family. The trade-off is that the boat is decidedly undercanvassed in light to moderate winds. Under sail, it is stiff and sea-kindly. An internally mounted, spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller provides direct handling response.
Accommodation
The 30i sleeps six. Forward, there’s a double V-berth separated from the main cabin by two sliding doors. The saloon has two straight settees that double as quarter berths, while the aft cabin contains a generous port-side double berth measuring 6ft by 5ft.
Bright, cosy, and spacious for a 30-footer, the saloon has plentiful stowage in gunwale lockers and a centrally mounted dining table. The L-shaped galley is to port, just forward of the companionway ladder. Opposite, the surprisingly roomy starboard head includes a hanging locker with ample space for wet oilskins. A good-sized chart table provides room for instruments and completes the working accommodation.
Ownership and Repairs
The model was once supported by a class club, the ETAP Owners Association, indicating that an owner community continued after production ended.
The double-skin construction that makes the boat unsinkable also makes repairs more involved if the hull is breached than they would be on a single-skin glassfibre boat. That is a long-term ownership consideration rather than a daily concern.
The Verdict
The ETAP 30i is a thoughtfully engineered small cruiser that trades outright light-air speed for safety, predictability, and a roomy interior. It suits a couple or young family who value unsinkability and easy handling over racing pedigree, while its modest size remains manageable in a tight marina.
Pros
- Foam-cored, double-skin hull renders the boat unsinkable
- Stiff, sea-kindly motion suits short-handed cruising
- Spacious, practical interior for a 30-footer, including a 6ft by 5ft aft berth
- Self-tacking headsail and removable mainsheet track simplify handling
Cons
- Standard rig leaves the boat undercanvassed in light to moderate winds
- Double-skin construction complicates repairs after a hull breach
- Limited offwind sail area without an owner-added genoa or spinnaker
