ETAP 30I Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The 30i interior follows a consistent layout across the production run, and most boats you encounter will share the same fundamental arrangement. The forepeak holds a vee-berth separated from the main cabin by a pair of sliding doors — a detail that gives it genuine cabin status rather than a bolt-hole. The main saloon runs to a centrally mounted dining table with settee berths on each side, flanked by locker stowage along the gunwales that owners consistently praise for its volume. The chart table is well-sized and instrument-friendly, sitting at the forward edge of the companionway area. On the starboard side forward of the companionway the heads compartment is unusually roomy for a thirty-footer, with dedicated hanging space for wet oilskins — something that matters on a boat intended for active use. The aft cabin to port contains a proper double berth, giving the 30i legitimate six-berth accommodation spread across three distinct sleeping areas. The L-shaped galley on the port side carries a two-burner stove and an ice box. There is little variation in cabin arrangement across the fleet; what changes is condition, equipment level, and how much the previous owner invested in the interior.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The self-tacking jib is factory-standard and nearly universal across used examples, a deliberate design choice that supports short-handed sailing but comes at a cost in light-air drive. Heating systems are commonly fitted — reflecting the boat's Northern European origins and its popularity in markets where extended shoulder-season sailing is the norm. Chartplotters and autopilots are widely fitted, with most boats having at least one autopilot generation aboard, though the vintage and capability varies considerably. Hot water systems appear on a solid majority of used examples, often as part of an engine heat-exchanger setup.

Among equipment seen regularly but not on every boat, gennakers are a common addition — owners discovered early that the narrow standard headsail needed supplementing downwind and in light air, and a gennaker becomes a practical workaround. Dodgers appear on many examples, again reflecting Northern European sailing conditions where spray protection matters. Teak decks appear occasionally, particularly on boats from the earlier production years.

Owner upgrades worth noting include solar panels, which owners began adding as electronics loads grew; biminis for Mediterranean and summer-passage use; and furling mainsails fitted by those who wanted to reduce the workload further. Asymmetric spinnakers appear on boats where the owner wanted a more manageable downwind sail than the symmetrical factory option. Short-handed sailing setups — additional clutches, rope-to-cockpit leads, electric winches — appear on boats whose owners used them for passage-making rather than day sailing.

What to Inspect

The foam-sandwich construction is central to the 30i's identity, but it demands careful evaluation. Osmosis and hull delamination are the principal structural concerns on any foam-cored glassfibre boat of this era, and the 30i is no exception. Tap-testing the hull for voids and having a surveyor assess the core with a moisture meter is essential — water ingress into the core can remain invisible to the eye for years before manifesting as softness or delamination. Pay particular attention to areas around deck fittings, where fastener holes penetrate the sandwich and are common entry points for moisture if the bedding compounds have failed.

The standard rig is a fractional 7/8 sloop with aluminum spars and wire standing rigging; rigging age and condition should be assessed against the boat's age and sailing history. Swept spreaders with a single set and a deck-stepped mast mean the rig geometry is straightforward but the chainplate attachments and deck step should be inspected for movement and water ingress.

The Volvo Penta diesel fitted throughout the production run is a well-regarded engine, but service history matters — verify impeller changes, heat exchanger condition, and transmission operation. The internally mounted spade rudder should be assessed for play and bearing wear; bearing slop in internally mounted rudders can be difficult and expensive to remedy once it develops. The bulb keel attachment is a structural inspection point on any heavily ballasted design; check the keel bolts for corrosion and the hull-keel junction for cracking or movement. The EVS steering system noted in early test reports was a novelty when launched; verify the tiller linkage mechanism operates without binding or play.

The walk-through reverse transom and its associated fittings deserve close attention — transom steps and their fasteners are chronically vulnerable to water penetration on boats of this age. Inspect the aft cabin overhead and the transom structure from inside for any signs of delamination or damp.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The 30i fleet is concentrated in Northern Europe, with Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, and Norway representing the core markets where these boats were sold and are now resold. The boat rarely appears in quantity outside Europe; buyers in North America will find the 30i an uncommon sight. Within European waters the boat is reasonably accessible, particularly in the North Sea and Baltic regions and along the French Atlantic coast.

For a buyer who wants a capable family coastal cruiser with a practical interior, genuine short-handed credentials, and the peace of mind of an unsinkable hull, the 30i delivers well — provided light-wind performance expectations are managed and the survey is thorough.

Buyer's checklist:

• Moisture-meter and tap-test survey of the foam-sandwich hull and deck, especially around fittings
• Keel bolt condition and hull-keel junction inspection
• Spade rudder bearing play assessment
• Standing rigging age and chainplate inspection
• Volvo diesel service records and heat exchanger / impeller history
• EVS tiller linkage operation
• Transom fittings and aft-cabin overhead for water ingress
• Gennaker or second headsail included — budget for one if not, given the self-tacking jib's light-air limits
• Confirm any solar, heating, or autopilot system is operational before sea trial