Etap23

Does not seem expensive. The Etap was a better than average quality boat when new and they seem to have aged better than than many boats from that era.
 
Testing for presence of water in foam filling any ideas? Friend has sailed one and was impressed but mentioned water getting into foam filled areas as the boat is apparently unsinkable
 
Maybe you can borrow a moisture meter from somebody?
Or even if you just use a 'cheap' moisture meter, such as what you might use for finding moisture in masonry walls, this might (I say might, I am not sure) tell you if there is water in the foam, if you compare the reading with an area that is known to be dry?
 
Maybe you can borrow a moisture meter from somebody?
Or even if you just use a 'cheap' moisture meter, such as what you might use for finding moisture in masonry walls, this might (I say might, I am not sure) tell you if there is water in the foam, if you compare the reading with an area that is known to be dry?
Loosening a bitofinterestinthis boat,seller does not reply and worried about buying problems with water absorption and lifting keel problems.
 
There are numerous discussions on this forum and others about etap foam water absorption and from what I can see in our '89 etap 22i I come down with those that say it ain't an issue.
In my, granted relatively limited, experience of messing about in enclosed boats it's thankfully the dryest of boats that I've come across even with a recently discovered slight drip from the SB window.
Otherwise We're very happy with her.
There is an active etap 22 group on Facebook covering all the models, variants as well as an etap owners group covering all size craft.
Both groups provide plenty of feedback & info with a few 23 owners onboard.
Regarding the lifting keel, it's relatively easy to service which is essentially an annual regrease.
You will need a cradle to drop the keel for maintenance, epoxy & antifouling but that applies to other craft as well anyways.
Generally well built, forgiving and so far has been a lot of fun.
 
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