The Etap 28S is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.7′, the Etap 28S tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.7′ LWL = 7.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
17.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
31.6%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
171
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
18.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.19
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
18.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.19
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (17.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Etap 28S — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Etap 28S.
|
Etap 28S |
Arcadia 30 Jeanneau |
Deltania 28 S |
Etap 30Cq |
Moorings 295 |
Py 90 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.5 |
29.5 |
29.5 |
29.5 |
29.5 |
29.5 |
| LWL |
27.7 |
24.4 |
— |
27.7 |
27.0 |
— |
| Beam |
11.0 |
10.3 |
9.5 |
11.0 |
10.5 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
8 |
6 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
439 |
378 |
419 |
439 |
400 |
546 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
17.4 |
18.0 |
20.0 |
17.4 |
16.8 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
31.6 |
43.5 |
36.1 |
31.6 |
35.7 |
— |
| Comfort |
18.3 |
16.4 |
17.9 |
18.3 |
18.2 |
12.6 |
| Capsize |
2.19 |
2.26 |
2.08 |
2.19 |
2.15 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
6.6 |
6.7 |
7.1 |
7.0 |
6.7 |