Etap 22, flexible foredeck / good buy

J

jbridges

Active Member
Joined
19 Jul 2005
Messages
68
Location
Belgium
Visit site
Anyone any feedback about an Etap 22?

I found myself wandering around some boatyards yesterday and saw an Etap 22 for a very low price (£4k)- the owner needs to get rid of quickly.

There are 2 things that worry me.
Firstly, the foredeck is fairly bouncy (fair amount of flex in it). Is this a known issue / something to worry about?
Secondly, what about osmosis? Is it worth having it tested for osmosis? Should I even care about it?

Whilst he's had it he's done a fair amount of renovation and everything below looks sound, clean and in good order considering the age of the boat (1974).

It has a new Suzuki 6 outboard, sprayhood, sail cover, and is generally in good condition - other than menioned above.

I've been looking on and off at upgrading from dinghy sailing to something that I can sleep on, max 2 people. This seems like a good oppportunity

Any other tips most welcome, especially if you have first hand experience with an Etap 22.

regards
James
 
You should be able to see osmosis blisters if they are present. If there are no blisters, are there any signs of them being repaired. Either way, no big deal, negotiate a price reduction to cover the work.

Get someone to flex the fore deck while you are below. It may be delamination. The Etap is an "unsinkable" design and space inside is limited by the double skinned sections. Not sure how you might check, but any water in between the sections would be a nuisance!

If you are really serious, get someone who knows the marque to do a buyer's survey for you. It may cost a couple of hundred, but could save you lots of heartache, or get the price down lower.
 
I guess you are tempted to buy it without a survey, but I would check with a few insurance brokers to be sure you don't need one for insurance.
You can spend a lot of money on fixing a boat.
 
Were Etaps of that vintage unsinkable? I thought the first of the unsinkables was about when the 28i came in in the late 80s. Apologies to all Etapians if I'm wrong.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I found myself wandering around some boatyards yesterday and saw an Etap 22 for a very low price (£4k)- the owner needs to get rid of quickly.

There are 2 things that worry me.
Firstly, the foredeck is fairly bouncy (fair amount of flex in it). Is this a known issue / something to worry about?

Secondly, what about osmosis? Is it worth having it tested for osmosis? Should I even care about it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Repairing the deck is as you state a known problem and is fixable, but not cheap if done from inside to preserve the original deck finish.

You also need to confirm the rest of the double skinned areas do not have any areas with high moisture readings, as not all are accessible from inside, meaning more expensive external repairs.

If a simple moisture test comes up roses, go for a full survey before you purchase.

Avagoodweekend......
 
Good day Jimmy

My first sail boat was an Etap 22, since then I have had a 28i and now sail a 35i.

As Gaupa says, all Etaps have been unsinkable, the Etap22 was the first Etap and production started, I think in 1972!

Now lets talk about the boat in question. How are you measuring the flex in the foredeck? Its not like a balsa sandwich that can degrade and become spongy, the foam is closed cell so will not absorb water. If you are suspicious that their may have been water ingress then you need to check between the skins at keel level, in other words at the lowest point in the hull, as that is where it will collect.

Has the boat been kept on a trailer or afloat? If its been trailer stored it is unlikely it will have osmosis. What you do need to check though is the lifting keel mechanism, make sure the keel will wind up and down properly.

So, if the foredeck does flex a bit, I cant say that I remember any flexing in ours incidentally, will it actually compromise the strength of the boat?

Have you checked around to see what other Etap 22's are selling for? You may well get a further reduction, or you may find the boat is at a low price. You have to decide if you should have a survey, and I would recommend you do.

We had great fun on our 22 and you will sure do the same, enjoy.
 
I have an ETAP 22, from 81, one of the last ones, I think 74 is one of the first ones

great boats, EXTREMELY happy with mine.

I don't have a springy foredeck, I do have some delamination there at the inner skin, but no structural problems.
when they made them the liquid foam was pumped into the voids between the two mouldings, so skins can unstick.
closed cell foam, but can crumble with age and take in water a bit, or between the skins & the foam.
stiffness of sandwhich structure will be severely reduced if skins delaminate.
Osmosis, I did get it checked, but really don't think its worth worrying about too much. My rudder is full of osmosis blisters because the foam inside gets wet, but its a thick laminate and NO strength worries.
Best place to look for water in foam is to remove the fitting on the cabin sole where the table leg goes in, as this is lowest point and you have access to foam. Can also remove locker inserts under the bunks.
I seem to remember one common problem was chain plate bondings to the hull.
I have some other info if you are interested pm me with email address.

Like I said, great boat; sails loverly, very warm or cool inside, no condensation, lifitng keel gets you everywhere but sails well upwind when down (also easy towing)
Van de Stat design, extremely well thought out, outboard in well great compromise etc etc

4k is cheap for one, average for a good one has been around 7-9k. check boatshop24

I love mine (of course!)
 
thanks everyone for the feedback. yes its very cheap because the current owner needs money.

It seems like a no brainer to me, since the outboard, sprayhood and sailcover is only 1 season old, there's not much left over towards the boat!

The owner has a tillerpilot which he still has to install and he's also throwing in a battery charger to charge from shorepower.

The only problem that I have now is I can't find a berth. I've called around 20 harbours around the Zeeland area in Holland, all harbours have at least one years waiting list. I've put myself on a couple of waiting lists just in case something turns up fast.

Will let you know how it turns out.
 
Virtually no waiting list HERE , if you can live with a drying marina. We have had several Etap22's there over the years.

Usually no waiting list in Flushing (M.De Ruyterhaven - a bit pricey), and a short one at Wemeldinghe.

Best wishes,
Will
 
Thanks, will. Unfortunately the Etap 22 I've got my eye on is with a fixed keel, so drying out not so practical.

I will check Wemeldinge, was on my list to contact still. I already checked Kats, and if I'm not mistaken both harbours are run by the same people.

regards
James
 
[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately the Etap 22 I've got my eye on is with a fixed keel, so drying out not so practical.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you really mean a fixed keel? I thought all Etap 22s had a lifting keel (c. 130 turns of the lead screw to lift it 0.8m IIRC). The bottom bit with the ballast torpedo does still project when fully up, so not really suitable for drying out on a hard surface without fitting legs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top