Manuel has always sailed, often on charter, sometimes on other owners' boats. Monohulls and catamarans, sailboats of all sizes, he's sailed his oilskin around Brittany since he was very young. When it came time to retire, he realized he needed his own sailboat.
A berth triggers purchase
For several years now, this coastal cruising enthusiast, who has mainly sailed in Brittany, has decided to settle on the shores of the Golfe du Morbihan. He joined a waiting list for a mooring in the commune of Séné. Aware of the length of the waiting list - currently 450 people - he will have to wait 17 years to reach the Holy Grail... ! This time it's all right, he can look for his boat.
In search of an unsinkable sailboat
It was in La Rochelle that he found the rare pearl. A Etap 26i in very good condition. Over the last few years, Manuel has gained a lot of experience, notably with a good Force 11 off the tip of Brittany. Gone are the risk-taking days of his youth. Safety has become an essential element for this sailor who sails alone or as a couple, but who also hopes to share his passion with his grandchildren. To this end, the Etap 26i's unsinkable design reassures him. In addition to the assurance of always being able to return to port, unsinkability means that the raft doesn't have to be carried, which saves on budget and also saves space on this sub-8 m sailboat.
An almost new second-hand
As luck would have it, he was offered a sailboat dating from 2001, one of the last models produced by the Belgian shipyard before it went bankrupt. This yacht has had 2 owners. The first, a maniac and careful owner, kept it for many years, while the second, who only kept it for 3 years, didn't have the leisure to sail it. The yacht is sold with 2 sets of sails in perfect condition, a sign of the first owner's care, including an original mainsail with the Etap logo still sewn on.
Low post-purchase costs
With this very well-maintained boat, Manuel didn't have to spend a lot of money. To obtain autonomy, since the boat is anchored far from a shore power outlet, he installed a solar panel on a mast at the stern, inspired by what is done on Mini 6.50s. He also equips his boat with a deckhouse canopy to protect the cockpit.
To revamp the look a little, Manuel replaced the teak on the cockpit benches, damaged over the years, with Flexiteek. On the other hand, the TBS non-slip decking has stood the test of time and needs no renovation.
The "ideal" sailboat?
After 3 years sailing his Etap 26i, Manuel has no regrets about his purchase. At most, he would have appreciated a two-keel yacht to allow beaching, but this configuration was not available at the Etap yard. Indeed, his Etap 26i has a shallow draft of 1.15 m. The Etap 26i was also produced with a deep draft of 1.55 m and with the so-called "tandem keel", draft 0.95 m, whose anti-drift design was inspired by the 12 m JI, with an opening in the keel...
This yacht is equipped with a Volvo Penta 10-hp inboard saildrive engine. The power is just right for sailing upstream in the Gulf. Manuel would like a few more horses, but doesn't plan to change this perfectly working engine any time soon.
Sleeps 4
In terms of habitability, the double hull is fully foamed to ensure unsinkability, preventing any condensation. Even when sleeping on board in the middle of winter, no water drips. The open-plan saloon at the bow, with its Breton bed, can accommodate 2 adults. The aft cabin, also with a double berth, is more cramped, and the sleeper under the cockpit lacks a little height to turn around. Best reserved for a child. To increase sleeping comfort, Manuel has slipped inflatable hiking mattresses under the bunk foam. They're inexpensive and do the job very well.
Facilities for short cruises
The galley area is functional, except for the cooler, which drains directly into the bilge when the ice packs melt. Manuel prefers to take along a portable cooler, which is easier to maintain, and uses the volume of the fixed cooler as storage in the boat. The fresh water tank provides ample autonomy, especially as Manuel has installed a misting device at the end of the tap to save money when washing up. The only complaint is the absence of an opening porthole above the galley for ventilation when cooking pasta.
Opposite, a bathroom with toilet and washbasin completes the comfort. While the marine toilets are practical, Manuel admits he never uses the shower or washbasin, preferring to brush his teeth in the kitchen sink.
A sailing pleasure
When Manuel comes aboard, with his dinghy powered by a Temo electric motor, he appreciates the aft skirt, which makes boarding easier.
As standard, the Etap 26i is well rigged. Manuel's Etap is equipped with a self-tacking jib, enabling him to tack solo without forcing. When the wind becomes lighter, he also has a genoa, but which loses the advantage of the self-tacking jib, as well as a gennaker on a foresail. Well-equipped, Manuel makes the most of his sailboat with cruises lasting from several days to a week, sailing from his home port in the Gulf to the islands off the coast.
Purchased in 2019 for ?23,000, Manuel is well aware of the bargain he has made. Today, this yacht is rare on the market, with second-hand models selling for between ?25 and ?30,000...
