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Etap 28
Designer: E. G. Van De Stadt  ·  Builder: Etap Yachting (Bel)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Etap 28

Built by Belgium's Etap Yachting from 1978 to 1987, this E.G. Van De Stadt-designed cruiser represents solid European construction with 375 hulls launched during its production run. The fiberglass construction features a fin keel configuration that delivers reliable performance for coastal cruising and short offshore passages. With a masthead sloop rig carrying 319 square feet of sail area, the Etap 28 offers a balanced sailing experience suited to family cruising rather than competitive racing. The boat's moderate displacement of 6,610 pounds and substantial ballast ratio provide good stability, while the 5.40-foot draft allows access to many harbors while maintaining adequate windward performance. Van De Stadt's design philosophy emphasizes seaworthiness over pure speed, evident in the boat's conservative proportions and robust construction. The 10-foot beam provides comfortable accommodations for weekend cruising, while the hull's lines generate a respectable hull speed of 6.38 knots. A modest 13-horsepower engine provides auxiliary power for calm conditions and maneuvering. The Etap 28 appeals to sailors seeking a dependable coastal cruiser with European build quality. Its comfort ratio suggests good motion at sea, making it suitable for extended coastal passages and comfortable weekending for small crews.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.62 ft / 8.42 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.67 ft / 6.91 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.40 ft / 1.65 m
Displacement 6,610.00 lb / 2,998 kg
Ballast 2,557.00 lb / 1,160 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 319.00 ft² / 29.64 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer E. G. van de Stadt
Builder Etap Yachting (BEL)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1987
Number Built 375
Associations ETAP Owners
Related Sailboats Contessa 28 · Lancer 28 · Tanzer 28 · Caliber 28 · Mirage 275
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
222
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
14.54
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
38.68
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
253.28
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
19.69
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.13
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.38 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.9
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 810.02 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 14.52
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.20 ft / 3.41 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 29.10 ft / 8.87 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 9.20 ft / 2.80 m
SA Fore 184.80 ft² / 17.17 m²
SA Main 133.86 ft² / 12.44 m²
SA Total (100%) 318.66 ft² / 29.60 m²
Est. Forestay Length 34.85 ft / 10.62 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model MD 7A
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 13
How It Compares

vs. Caliber 28, Contessa 28, Lancer 28, Mirage 275, Tanzer 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Etap 28 ★
27.6 ft
Caliber 28
27.5 ft
Contessa 28
27.7 ft
Lancer 28
27.7 ft
Mirage 275
27.5 ft
Tanzer 28
27.6 ft
LWL
Etap 28 ★
22.7 ft
Caliber 28
24.3 ft
Contessa 28
22.0 ft
Lancer 28
23.9 ft
Mirage 275
22.5 ft
Tanzer 28
23.5 ft
Beam
Etap 28 ★
10.0 ft
Caliber 28
10.8 ft
Contessa 28
9.4 ft
Lancer 28
8.0 ft
Mirage 275
9.8 ft
Tanzer 28
9.8 ft
Displacement
Etap 28 ★
6 lbs
Caliber 28
7 lbs
Contessa 28
6 lbs
Lancer 28
4 lbs
Mirage 275
6 lbs
Tanzer 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Etap 28 ★
2 lbs
Caliber 28
3 lbs
Contessa 28
2 lbs
Lancer 28
2 lbs
Mirage 275
2 lbs
Tanzer 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Etap 28 ★
319 sq ft
Caliber 28
428 sq ft
Contessa 28
Lancer 28
309 sq ft
Mirage 275
Tanzer 28
346 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Etap 28 ★
222 s/nm
Caliber 28
186 s/nm
Contessa 28
171 s/nm
Lancer 28
258 s/nm
Mirage 275
201 s/nm
Tanzer 28
207 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Etap 28 ★
14.5
Caliber 28
18.4
Contessa 28
Lancer 28
17.2
Mirage 275
Tanzer 28
15.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Etap 28 ★
38.7 %
Caliber 28
43.1 %
Contessa 28
40.2 %
Lancer 28
44.9 %
Mirage 275
35.3 %
Tanzer 28
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Etap 28 ★
19.7
Caliber 28
18.4
Contessa 28
Lancer 28
18.9
Mirage 275
Tanzer 28
19.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Etap 28 ★
2.13
Caliber 28
2.25
Contessa 28
Lancer 28
1.89
Mirage 275
Tanzer 28
2.11
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Etap 28 ★
253
Caliber 28
223
Contessa 28
292
Lancer 28
159
Mirage 275
266
Tanzer 28
Hull Speed
Etap 28 ★
6.4 kts
Caliber 28
6.6 kts
Contessa 28
Lancer 28
6.6 kts
Mirage 275
Tanzer 28
6.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Etap 28 ★
1.9
Caliber 28
2.5
Contessa 28
Lancer 28
3.3
Mirage 275
Tanzer 28
2.4
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