Well, the AC Boat show was much of the same old same old, but I was interested
to get aboard the Etap 37, named Boat of the Year. The boat is "unsinkable."
Below the water line is a very odd wing keel supported by two keel elements. I
wondered if this was about reduced wetted surface. Visit the website for a
closer look...interested in more info on this design's goals.
The coach roof/cabin drunk isn't the smoothest bit of drawing I've seen, but on
the whole the boat is okay looking. There were two small hatches forward, both
two small. Ventilation appeared and FELT poor, but this is easily fixed. The
cockpit is extra long and fairly clean in it's layout. The modest pedestal
does't overwhelm like Hunters and some Catalinas. There is no walk through
transom on the boat we saw...funny, I thought it had one. Toe and hand rails
are odd looking aluminum extrusions, but stout. There is no topside wood,
except the inlay on the cockpit seats...not sure if it's real as I didn't look
very hard.
Below is a horror show, beating out the Beneteau for cheapness in material, if
not actual fit and finish. A couple of feet from the companionway steps and
DIRECTLY (Dangerously) in front of them is a double sink/bar. It's connected to
the dining table. It divides the cabin space in a very unhappy manner. The
entire cabin was done in fake wood plastic...floors, bulkheads and even doors
and drawer-faces...just awful! Everyone was commenting on it as they entered
the boat interior. The V-birth is tiny, especially for a 37 footer. The aft
birth is a bit better...but only a bit.
I wonder how many boats will get sold on the "unsinkable" element. This was one
of the worst boats we saw and I'm shocked that it won boat of the year. The C&C
110 was nicer in every respect...not sure about speed. I remember reading about
a higher aspect rig for a tricked out version of the boat. The line for the
Etap was long, but I didn't hear many "oooh's and Ahhhs" from people.

RB

Certainly more dangerous than the fenders strewn about on your
boat!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
A couple of feet from the companionway steps and
DIRECTLY (Dangerously) in front of them is a double sink/bar. It's
connected to
the dining table. It divides the cabin space in a very unhappy manner.
RB

V-birth? Didn't we celabrate that last month?

Scotty

wrote in message
...
On 18 Jan 2004 04:20:51 GMT, (Bobsprit) wrote:

The V-birth is tiny, especially for a 37 footer.

Bob, you need to stop exaggerating everything. You are nowhere near being
a 37
footer.

BB

Only dangerous to a fat slob like bob.


"Jonathan Ganz" wrote in message
...
Certainly more dangerous than the fenders strewn about on your
boat!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
A couple of feet from the companionway steps and
DIRECTLY (Dangerously) in front of them is a double sink/bar. It's
connected to
the dining table. It divides the cabin space in a very unhappy manner.
RB

No. He's ok with it... the fat acts as a cushion.

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
Only dangerous to a fat slob like bob.


"Jonathan Ganz" wrote in message
...
Certainly more dangerous than the fenders strewn about on your
boat!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
A couple of feet from the companionway steps and
DIRECTLY (Dangerously) in front of them is a double sink/bar. It's
connected to
the dining table. It divides the cabin space in a very unhappy manner.

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
Well, the AC Boat show was much of the same old same old, but I was
interested
to get aboard the Etap 37, named Boat of the Year. The boat is
"unsinkable."
Below the water line is a very odd wing keel supported by two keel
elements. I
wondered if this was about reduced wetted surface. Visit the website for a
closer look...interested in more info on this design's goals.

I've sailed on a couple of Etaps ( a 30, and a 34 footer).

They both sailed quite well, when you consider that they are unsinkable.

However, I would prefer to have the stowage.

Regards


Donal
--

I'll bet it had a proper stern ladder.
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"No shirt, no skirt, full service"