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Etap 28I
Designer: Harle & Mortain  ·  Builder: Etap (Bel)  ·  First built: 1988
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About the Etap 28I

Belgian builder Etap created a compelling coastal cruiser with the 28I, produced from 1988 to 1997 with 450 hulls launched during its successful nine-year production run. Designed by the respected French team of Harle & Mortain, this 28-footer strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort for weekend cruising and coastal exploration. The fractional sloop rig and fin keel with spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and good windward ability, while the moderate displacement of 6,173 pounds provides stability without sacrificing sailing performance. With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 17.07, the 28I offers spirited performance in moderate conditions while maintaining the docile characteristics appreciated by cruising sailors. Measuring just under 28 feet overall with a 10.25-foot beam, the boat maximizes interior volume while remaining trailerable in many regions. The 5-foot draft provides good upwind performance while still allowing access to many shallow anchorages. Etap's reputation for solid fiberglass construction and attention to detail is evident throughout, with the company's signature unsinkable foam-core hull construction providing peace of mind for coastal adventures. The comfortable 17.16 comfort ratio and reasonable capsize screening value of 2.24 make this an excellent choice for protected waters and coastal cruising with family or friends.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.99 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.79 ft / 7.25 m
Beam 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 6,173.00 lb / 2,800 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 358.00 ft² / 33.26 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Harle & Mortain
Builder Etap (BEL)
First Built 1988
Last Built 1997
Number Built 450
Related Sailboats ["S2 86" · "Ericson 28 2" · "Precision 28" · "Comet 860" · "Aloha 85"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
 17.07
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
 204.68
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
 17.16
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
 2.24
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. 6.54 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
 2.66
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. 871.29 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. 17.08
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 32.48 ft / 9.90 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.65 ft / 2.94 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.27 ft / 10.75 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.42 ft / 3.48 m
SA Fore 156.72 ft² / 14.56 m²
SA Main 201.39 ft² / 18.71 m²
SA Total (100%) 358.11 ft² / 33.27 m²
Est. Forestay Length 33.88 ft / 10.33 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model 2002
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
Fuel Capacity 13 gals / 49 L
Water Capacity 21 gals / 79 L
How It Compares

vs. Comet 860, Ericson 28 2, Precision 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Etap 28I ★
28.0 ft
Comet 860
28.0 ft
Ericson 28 2
28.0 ft
Precision 28
28.0 ft
LWL
Etap 28I ★
23.8 ft
Comet 860
22.3 ft
Ericson 28 2
23.3 ft
Precision 28
23.0 ft
Beam
Etap 28I ★
10.3 ft
Comet 860
9.7 ft
Ericson 28 2
10.0 ft
Precision 28
10.0 ft
Displacement
Etap 28I ★
6 lbs
Comet 860
6 lbs
Ericson 28 2
7 lbs
Precision 28
5 lbs
Ballast
Etap 28I ★
—
Comet 860
2 lbs
Ericson 28 2
3 lbs
Precision 28
1 lbs
Sail Area
Etap 28I ★
358 sq ft
Comet 860
474 sq ft
Ericson 28 2
411 sq ft
Precision 28
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Etap 28I ★
—
Comet 860
240 s/nm
Ericson 28 2
—
Precision 28
207 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Etap 28I ★
17.1
Comet 860
21.6
Ericson 28 2
17.2
Precision 28
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Etap 28I ★
17.2
Comet 860
20.7
Ericson 28 2
21.8
Precision 28
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Etap 28I ★
2.24
Comet 860
2.07
Ericson 28 2
2.05
Precision 28
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Etap 28I ★
204
Comet 860
—
Ericson 28 2
—
Precision 28
201
Hull Speed
Etap 28I ★
6.5 kts
Comet 860
6.3 kts
Ericson 28 2
6.5 kts
Precision 28
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Etap 28I ★
2.7
Comet 860
—
Ericson 28 2
2.1
Precision 28
—
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