Design and Construction
The 32I’s defining feature is its double-skinned, foam-cored hull. This construction provides effective thermal and acoustic insulation below and makes the boat functionally unsinkable. The solid fiberglass deck and hull shell, combined with the injected foam core, give the boat a quiet, modern feel without relying on exotic materials.
The hull measures 30 feet 8 inches overall, with a 26-foot 3-inch waterline and an 11-foot 2-inch beam. Displacement is near 9,760 pounds, including 2,866 pounds of lead ballast, for a ballast-displacement ratio of about 29 percent.
Rig and Versions
Etap offered the 32I in two configurations. The standard version has a 47.7-foot mast, a 280-square-foot mainsail, and a keel drawing 4.60 feet. The performance version has a 50-foot mast, a 301-square-foot mainsail, and a deeper 5.25-foot keel for additional stability and drive.
Both versions use a fractional sloop rig and a spade rudder. The choice lets buyers favor either the standard model’s shoal draft or the taller rig and deeper keel of the performance version.
Accommodations
The 32I sleeps six across three cabins. The forward cabin has a double V-berth, flanked by storage lockers and shelves. Aft to port, a second cabin provides another double berth, along with a hanging locker and shelf.
In the saloon, two straight settee berths flank the table. Headroom in the main cabin is 72 inches, while numerous ports, hatches, and windows provide light and ventilation. White oak veneer and stainless steel fittings give the interior a bright, contemporary appearance.
Near the companionway ladder, the L-shaped galley to port includes a three-burner stove, a 17.2-gallon ice box, and a pressurized double sink. Opposite, the head to starboard contains a marine toilet, sink, and shower.
Verdict
The ETAP 32I is a well-resolved small cruiser. Its foam-cored, unsinkable hull and clean Harlé-Mortain-Mavrikios interior still appeal to couples and small families. The standard and performance versions offer a choice between shoal draft and taller-rig performance, while its awards show how well respected the design was in its era.
Pros
- Unsinkable, double-skinned foam hull with good insulation
- Choice of two versions: a standard model with a shoal keel and a performance model with a taller rig and deeper keel
- Six berths in three cabins, with 72-inch saloon headroom
- Award-winning design: European Yacht of the Year in 1993 and French Boat of the Year in 1994
Cons
- The performance version’s 5.25-foot draft restricts access to some shallow anchorages
