Armadas of Muscadet, sailboards, the semi-rigid of Doctor Bombardeuros Examples of frail boats having accomplished great ocean crossings are not lacking, as are adages highlighting the capabilities of modest-sized units. Thus, is it not customary to say that small boats are those that go the farthest? However, it must be admitted that apart from the participants in the Mini Transat, very few would be ready to attempt the adventure on a hull measuring less than 30 or 40 feet. The idea is nonetheless attractive for many reasons. Whether they are financial or logistical, they motivated us to choose a humble 23 footer named Nordkyn to carry us in our dream of a great sailing trip.
A solid foundation for travel
The fjords of Spitzbergen, the lochs of Scotland, the Irish coastline, etc. Few seven-meter sailing ships would dare to wander around in such areas. However, this is where our valiant Nordkyn ventured during her previous life. Its former owners had chosen the Etap 23 for its transportability, which allowed them to discover these distant shores by transporting the boat on the deck of a cargo ship or on a trailer by road. This point was not decisive in our case (although the hitch brings a certain number of facilities, in particular in the sectors where one should not count too much on the places of port). Inevitably, after having listened to the stories of his previous peregrinations, it was difficult not to have a crush on this small boat particularly well preserved for its age (35 years). Carefully maintained and meticulously equipped, we were sure, with Nordkyn, to have a solid base to prepare our project.
An ingenious boat
Once you get past the "coup de coeur", you have to admit that the Etap 23 stands out for its frankly functional design. In a tight space, the layout and storage are remarkably well thought out, inspired by concepts that have proven their worth on ships in this category. Like the removable table that can be installed in the saloon, or outside in the middle of the cockpit. Above all, with this yacht, everything seems to have been done to facilitate maintenance operations or possible repairs. Like the mast on a twin mast which allows to dismast or remast in a few hours. Not to mention the engine in the well, easily accessible and removable. In short, when leaving with this boat, one has the feeling that whatever the damage, a toolbox and a little ingenuity will be enough to solve problems that would require the intervention of a team of professionals on a larger unit.
What if I had to do it again?
Of course, after two months of travel punctuated by several long crossings, we are beginning to have an idea of the weaknesses of our mount. If we had to choose another boat, we would probably go for a larger hull, offering more stability at sea and more comfort. The foams that make the Etap 23 unsinkable considerably reduce the interior space (we only have 1.5 meters of headroom). In addition, the retractable daggerboard is not really interesting once you have left the high tide coasts of Normandy or Brittany. In heavy weather, we would certainly be better off aboard a keelboat with a longer waterline and a good submerged surface. Thus, it is difficult not to look with envy at models with one or two extra feet such as the Jouët 24 or the timeless Sangria.
