Etap Features

Unsinkability

When ETAP Yachting began developing and producing sailing yachts in 1970, its aim was to build the safest sailing yachts in the world.

Besides selecting superb materials and paying close attention to ergonomics, we felt it imperative that ETAP yachts should be made unsinkable. The crews who entrusted themselves to their yachts had to be sure of a safe voyage, even if their boat took in water.

Testing unsinkability with through-hull fitting open!

ETAP Yachting decided on a unique, technically refined construction method known as the ETAP ship-in-ship construction. In the ETAP ship-in-ship construction, the deck and hull are double-skinned. The hollow space between the two decks and two hulls is filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam. The closed cell structure is almost entirely non-absorbent and gives the boat sufficient buoyancy. Even if your ETAP yacht does spring a leak, it will remain stable and afloat, with enough freeboard for you and your crew.

ETAP 21i hull in double-skin construction

Thanks to ETAP's many years of experience, they can now inject most of the foam into zones that remain unused even in single-mould boats, minimising any loss of space. Some years ago the ETAP 30i beat competitors to be named the boat with the largest amount of storage space in its class!

Over the years, ETAP have continued to refine the ETAP ship-in-ship principle, which now offers you a host of advantages:

-Thanks to the unsinkability guarantee, you know that your ETAP boat will stay afloat. You will never need to abandon ship; you can calmly tackle any technical problems and sail safely to the nearest port

-The double-mould construction method also offers highly efficient thermal and acoustic insulation. ETAP boats are practically condensation-free, giving your crew and equipment a much more pleasant environment than on other boats
-The double-skinned deck and hull mean a more rigid, dimensionally stable structure

ETAP 21i "flooded to the maximum". Test by German magazine "Yacht". Itinerary: strait between Germany (Warnemünde) and Denmark (Gedser) in a single day.

Test by French yachting magazine "Voiles & Voiliers". Itinerary: Calais-Dover-Calais in a single day - with through-hull fittings open!

Tandem Keel

EXCELLENT SAILING QUALITIES AT REDUCED DRAFT !

After thorough investigation and numerous tests, ETAP Yachting N.V. is pleased to introduce its ETAP tandem keel. The most important advantages of this keel are the excellent sailing qualities at a considerably reduced draft. This new design is the result of a co-operation with the architects' bureau Mortain-Mavrikios.

The two most important features to reduce drift, are the size of the lateral plan and its efficiency. The efficiency is defined by the proportion between the depth of the keel and the length. Also a wing section is a classic aid to improve the efficiency.
For a strong reduction of the draft neither a wing keel or a bulb keel were sufficient. The solution was found in placing two shorter keels behind one another, linked by a wing-bulb profile : the ETAP tandem keel.

The ETAP tandem keel gives a better aspect ratio, thus generating more lift.
In addition to increased stability, the wing-bulb also provides better hydrodynamic characteristics.
The result is a range of excellent reaching ETAP yachts !
    * ETAP 21i with a draft of only 0,70 m
    * ETAP 24i with a draft of only 0,85 m
    * ETAP 28s/30CQ with a draft of only 1,10 m  
    * ETAP 32s with a draft of only 1,30 m
    * ETAP 37s with a draft of only 1,35 m
    * ETAP 46DS with a draft of only 1,55 m 

New folding cleats

Latest teak decks & new style windows

 

 

EVS - ETAP Vertical Steering System

The steering systems available on the market at the moment are the steering wheel on one hand, the tiller on the other hand. Depending on the local market the transition between the two systems is usually made between 30 and 35 feet.
As traditionally known, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, so that the discussion between advocates and opponents is nearly as old as the systems themselves.
In 1995 ETAP Yachting accepted the challenge to develop a third type of steering system, which combines the advantages of both systems and avoids the disadvantages : EVS or ETAP Vertical Steering System.

Concept

The steering of the sailing yacht can be realized by means of an ergonomically profiled helm that moves in a athwartships vertical plane.

Advantages

Security

    * good sight since one can take place behind the EVS system
    * when travelling on motor the motor control can be done upright, thus without loss of sight.
    * simple construction by means of direct geared transmission : foolproof and visually controllable. - firm grip in case of heavy weather conditions
    * when sailing backwards, the bigger power on the rudder can be better controlled
    * an emergency tiller is provided, exactly like in case of a steering wheel

Ease of use

    * direct steering (1/1) by means of geared transmission, so that one can feel well the reactions of the boat.
    * position of the rudder is clear
    * steering goes in the same direction as the boat (like steering wheel)
    * tacking is simple, quicker and doesn't bother the rest of the crew in the cockpit

Ergonomics

    * one can stand or sit behind the EVS helm and automatically looks in the sailing direction
    * the practical usable part of the cockpit becomes bigger
    * the motor control is mounted next to the seat, so that navigating on motor becames easier
    * with windward sailing the helmsman - situated on luff-side - will make mainly pushing movements to keep the boat into the same direction. Seated on the cockpit benches, this is a more comfortable position than the traditional pulling at the tiller, which stresses the muscles of the back.
    * the EVS system is combined together with a joystick and 2 seats in teak fixed on either side of the pushpit. In this way we can create an extremely comfortable position at broad reaching tacks.
    *  the stainless steel rudder shaft is mounted in a needle bearing at the bottom, which lowers the pressure on the EVS system considerably.

Practice

In order to test the advantages and solidity of the EVS system a series of trials have been carried out. Eventually ETAP succeeded in obtaining an aesthetically successful and technically correct design.
This design has been tested by a number of yachtsmen who communicated us their findings, and some alterations have been added to the design.
Jesper Bank from Denmark - among others world champion Soling, one of the most successful sailers of the last years and responsible for R & D at Elvström Sails, also tested the system for us. He gave us a very convincing and positive report, with following conclusions :
"a good feeling of balance"
"The ergonomy when you stand is good. The ergonomy when you are beating and reaching is exceptionnally good"
"Generally it was a positive experience. The system is handy and easy to cope with."