Sailing Home: A Tour of Our Cozy Etap 28i | Gavin & James Sailing Ep.7

[@anniehollywood8375]

The block on the bow is for the kicker or spinnaker pole downhaul, it stops the spinnaker pole from skying. There should be a line that goes through it and back to the cockpit, the line is loosened to attached to a saddle on the underside of the pole normally by way of a shackle eg. You control the height of the spinnaker pole by pulling on the lines. Lovely little yacht by the way!

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you Annie, I did wonder if it was to do with the Spinnaker. We do have a downhaul rigged up and the lines go to the cockpit, but maybe this block was the original one and not used now. Ill take a look this spring and play around with it as we need to practice putting the spinnaker up.

[@lacelotte7385]

Yeah I came to say it looks like a downhaul as I could t see one closer to the mast (I’d have expected to see it roughly near where the dome is)

[@StevieG-zb3rh]

Amazing how much space you've got! It's a lovely vessel, and a really cosy living space. You can see how much work you've done and how much she means to you both! x

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you Stevie G! Yes we’ve made her into a nice little home now. Can’t wait for the warmer weather so we can sit out in the cockpit. Hope you are doing ok x

[@StevieG-zb3rh]

@Gavin & James Sailing it's a lovely little area for warmer weather! All good here thanks! x

[@jeanmason4642]

Hi guys I have just met you by the pool. My name is Jean . Good luck on your future adventures. Don't forget ETIAS. XX

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Hi Jean, great to chat with you today and thank you for checking out our channel. We shall get our ETIAS sorted, thanks for the info. I’m just thawing out now after the pool! 😂 X

[@dianeholdsworth4646]

Fantastic video, so informative. You guys are so inspiring, well done xx

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you and if you have got any more questions about liveaboard life just let us know. x

[@michaelconroy9162]

Excellent video,very informative so well done James & Gavin definitely worth a watch

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you and so glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@apntv]

Interesting, thanks for the tour guys. Andy & Chris.

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thanks guys and glad you enjoyed it. 😀

[@EmmaBailey]

Wonderful footage once again - thanks to both of you! You have a beautiful yacht! Stay warm, it looks freezing out!

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed. Yes it was freezing! 🥶 Can’t wait for the warmer weather and lighter evenings so we can sit out in the cockpit and drink wine all night! 🤣😃

[@theresnobodyhere5778]

Love this boat as a live aboard and the interior size and volume not many 28ft boats come close to this ,its also a very safe boat ,for me though your old boat would be my dream, that was a fast high performance cruiser but you sacrifice space also the designer was up there one of the best he done some realy cool boats

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thanks, yeah our Etap is really big for a 28 footer, we have been in some 32 footers that didn't seem to have as much living space. The only thing I would change would be the diminishing headroom where the front window slopes down, but on the plus side it gives us a massive flat foredeck.

[@MrAndrewholde]

You guys seem really cool glad I found your channel 😊

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thanks for subscribing and glad you’re enjoying our channel and thank you so much for the coffee! ☕️ Really appreciate it! 😀👍

[@tony-hockley]

Really enjoyed the tour. I think the insulation of the Etap hull is, for most of us, more valuable (I hope) than the unsinkable certification. Looks a really comfy set-up, and it is amazing to see how amazingly scrubbed up after being in racing mode. Must have been quite a job. The block near the bow does look like a pole downhaul fitting, but is so far forward that it may work usefully for setting a boom preventer (the block might need an upgrade). On the question of anchoring I think that more chain equals more sleep. You could add a length of smaller gauge chain to the initial length of heavy chain perhaps?

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed the tour! It did take a lot of scrubbing to clean it up. The seat pads were touch and go, but we managed to get them sorted. The worst thing was the smell of diesel inside, it took so much work to get rid of it, t was engrained into everything! We have been so glad of the Etap insulation through winter, I can't imagine what it would have been like living aboard without it though winter. I think we are going to invest in a bit more chain this season as we are planning on anchoring quite a bit this season. Good suggestion about adding smaller chain to what we have. We have 10mm which is oversized so could add some 8mm.

[@keithmillay1523]

Impressive interior configuration. We use an induction hob to save on gas use & costs. Fantastic racing clips.

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thanks Keith, she’s feeling really homely now inside. We got an electric hot plate as a back up too. Thanks again for the iPad cover you gave us, we use it out in the cockpit every time we sail, as we prefer using Navionics on the iPad rather than the chart plotter. 😀

[@margaretoxley4316]

Wow amazing little yacht xx

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you Mag, glad you are enjoying the videos.

[@richcraven9207]

The block on the foredeck could be for the spinnaker pole downhaul. May be a a bit near the bow though, would require a big ease to get the pole back.

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thanks Richard, I think it’s something to do with the Spinnaker as well, but we already have a downhaul rigged up, unless this is an older redundant one.

[@michaelbeaumont145]

Amazing how much space you’ve got below. Surprised how much tech is involved but saying that I’ve never sailed anything bigger than a rowing boat in peasholm park. And a canoe that went backwards.

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

😂😂 Yes it’s quite deceptive as there’s more space inside than what people think. In our first boat Pandemonium you could only kneel down inside. Might do a passage planning episode some time to show what we do before every sail.

[@SuperDiagnostic]

Awesome ....

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thanks for that and thanks for watching.

[@SailingBohemia]

Well done boys, really enjoyed it. If you can do ge the AIS transponder..you would not believe how many times we have dozed off on watch, so its good that others can see you. Love the fridge freezer box and absolutely love your aft cabin.. I always presumed you sleep at the front! Very very good looking boat. Sending mucho love from Cartagena- Colombia

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed it! 😃The fridge freezer was a game changer and a mandatory requirement from the first mate! He knows how to run a kitchen! 😂 We thought about converting the old cool box to a proper fridge but it was going to be too expensive. We will definitely look into the AIS transponder as it would be really useful especially with us planning at being at sea for longer next season. We’re really excited about anchoring out too! We really need to get Takaza to a warmer climate, I bet she’s furious we have left her in a frozen marina while we live it up here! However, she is having a makeover when we get back so she’s all tarted up for summer! Mucho love to you guys too from Fuerteventura! 😘

[@rivermagic]

Anchor is more than capable for that boat mate, I use a similar one on my 33ft 4T Hunter Always worth checking the chain/rope.... Mine wasn't attached to the boat when I bought it 🤣 - that could have been embarrasing lol Think that block on your foredeck is for the downhaul on the spinnaker pole Also, when it comes to replacing the wind instrument, I highly recommend a calypso solar powered anemometer, its about £450 with the mounting bracket, no wires (solar powered) so no need to mouse a long cable down the mast and connects to an app via bluetooth on your phone so no need for a instrument panel, you can also get a NEMA wireless connector if you want to go that route - best thing about that calypso is it has no moving parts and no vanes so less chance of getting seagulled For AIS - I fitted a McMurdo to mine in Novemeber, best thing abouit that one is it has it's own wifi network so you can link it up to Navionics to see other boats on the display as well as setting collision alarms, I connected it to a seperate VHF aeriel with the lead coiled up near the radio so if I ever did lose the mast I can use the AIS VHF to get my radio working again Excellent Video and that Elan looks lovely

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you so much for the info. I love the sound of the solar powered wind instruments, no wires sounds amazing and also the McMurdo AIS, will definitely check both of these things out. Our wind instruments have never worked, got used to used my nose 😂 but it would be nice to know how strong the wind actually is. Glad you think the anchor is fine, I was going to replace it with one out those nice blingy Manta anchors over the bow roller, but then I saw the price ! We tried it in Scarborough south bay last summer for the afternoon and it held well. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks again for all the info. 🙂

[@Wildcatsailing]

Nice little boat, amazing an extra 4ft compared to my 24ft and a little bit of belly how much more room there is. I really like the unsinkable part, I have only heard of these type of boats for round the world racers - foam hull. Do you know any other boats like this around the 30ft range with a similar hull?

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you, I’ve not really heard of any more unsinkable designs, I don’t think there is many about. All Etaps are unsinkable though. The only thing is you loose a bit of storage space under the beds etc as everywhere is full of foam. It’s a great insulator too, so keeps warm in winter, cool in summer and no condensation. Also we’ve found they are quite sound proof if you have a party in a marina! 😂😂

[@Wildcatsailing]

@@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat no condensation that sounds like a dream boat, my liveaboard is wetter on the inside than the out. 🤣 Fancy a new boat eventually just getting ideas for the perfect boat. That Sounds pretty close to what I want🤔put it on the list as possibles. Cheers

[@zwiatremnampodrodze]

What a lovely little boat! Amazing use of space. Our westerly merlin 28 is great as well, but it would be fantastic to haver her few cm higher so Marcin could stand 🤣🤣 hello from the sailors' in the UK! Looking forward to watching your adventures and I hope you will visit our channel as well. Fair winds!

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the boat tour. We’ve subscribed to your channel and will watch your videos when we get decent internet. We just taking a boat break abroad at the mo. I saw a Westerly Merlin for sale and they look really spacious inside too, nice boats. 😃👍

[@JeffBrookes-wy7xo]

Can you tell me which type of LED lights you used. Thanks

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CJLRJ11/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_2A2Q03R95SQ3PRHZEGJF_0 These are the ones we have. We went for warm white and they are so bright and hardly use any power.

[@OlivierCostaAmore]

I was just looking for info on how you turn the electric system on. that seems to be different on each ship, so seemed useful to mention. but it wasn't...

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

We just have 2 red switches on the bulk head in the aft cabin. One for the engine battery and one for the domestics.

[@OlivierCostaAmore]

jep that's where I found them to. They were well hidden 😊

[@davidalexander-watts6630]

Thanks, for this, been looking forward to see how yours compares to Orinoco, my 1989 28i s/n 123 (they're such good yachts). Some thoughts - 1) anchoring: mine came with a 25lb CQR and has 10m 8mm chain and 30m rope. I have thought of changing it to a modern anchor but then you have the question of how to deploy it: the cqr won't fit through the pushpit so has to go over the side under the bars. Some have added bow roller extensions to have a place for the anchor to fit but I've not done that yet, and actually not anchored my boat yet so still working out the best method. The danforth is good as a kedge but isn't often used as a main anchor as I understand it can need re-setting when the tide turns. 2} Door to the heads - I like the way yours folds - did you do this? 3) batteries - Orinoco came with two, one in front of the engine, the domestic one is at the back of the engine compartment, which frees up the under-berth locker. 4) Liferaft - do you need one? The Etap is unsinkable and as I'm coastal sailing I'm relying on that, I can't see a scenario where I'd need to use one. I might hire one if doing an offshore passage but no plans to do so on Orinoco. 5) Dinghy - I keep my 2.3m deflated in the aft cockpit locker, I don't need to use it often though. 6) Galley - I keep my crockery and cutlery in the swing out under sink cabinet, rather than the cupboards, do you use yours? 7) Electrics - good idea for shore power and I like your interior lights, much better 8) Shower - how have you fitted the shower drain, as the bilge is so shallow there. Lots of ideas for me on how to update mine. Many thanks.

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Hi David Glad you enjoyed the tour. They are great boats and they have so much space compared to many other 28ft yachts. Anchor - We would have liked a modern anchor over the bow roller too, I think they look great. We have only anchored once for a few hours but we are going to do it properly this spring and see how it goes. It seems we have a similar amount of chain. The door to the head is always a laughing point for us. The previous owner fitted a new toilet but he didn't realise there were different sizes. He went for the biggest one and when it was all fitted he realised that the door wouldn't shut so he had to have it as a folding door. To be honest he's done a good job of it and it works well, he was an engineer. There was always a shower tap in our boat, we just replaced it for new. We have an electric bilge pump under the floor board in the head and a switch above the toilet. I've only had one shower in there and it worked well and I didn't need to put the pump on until after the shower. We always shower in the marina facilities but maybe useful for when we are at anchor and it's nice to have the option of a hot shower. Life raft/dingy - maybe you're right, we are only coastal sailing at the moment so maybe we don't need the life raft onboard just now. It's an option that we could offload it and just put it back on when we do longer offshore journeys. We keep our dingy on the foredeck and secure it when at sea with a ratchet strap over the toe rails. It works fine but I would rather have it in the locker but it seems too big. Do you have a divider in your cockpit locker in between the 2 hatches or does it go right through as we have a wooden divide. Also where do you keep your outboard? Ours is in the locker but I would like to get it up on the rail, but as you know there are not many rails at the back. Do you happen to have the original brochure/manual for the Etap 28i? I've searched everywhere online and can find one to download for every Etap other than the 28i!

[@RichardChambers]

Crazy how much space you have compared to my Trapper 28! I can't even stand up in the cabin at all.

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Yeah we are really lucky to have wide beam as its rare for a 28 footer to have an aft cabin. Trappers are nice boats too!

[@mijneigen1509]

A first time for me to come across your channel. Very informative and detailed video. Very nice since I plan on upgrading to a 28i at some point. But why try to find space for a liferaft when you are on one?Never leave your vessel. It will float and you can steer it. A liferaft has no rudder and no propulsion (sail or motor). Save sailing!

[@GavinAndJames_LifeAfloat]

Glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful. I know what you mean about the life raft, I've considered storing it off the boat to save space. What boat do you have at the moment? We love the Etap 28i, so spacious for a 28 footer. We have done a boat tour video which you may like. Its a full tour and shows some of the additions we have made.