It has a fractional sloop rig, a raked stem, a plumb transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a weighted bulb lifting keel.
[1][3] The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and manoeuvring, mounted in a stern well.
[5] In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "like other small ETAP sailboats, the Belgian-made 23 ... is double skinned, with foam between outside and aside layers of fiberglass.
(We watched at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in 1986 while the ETAP’s seacocks were opened and the boat gradually settled until water was knee-high over the cabin sole, at which point equilibrium was reached and any added water bailed in from outside simply ran out through the seacocks, Then the boat was keeled over to 65 degrees of heel, but popped right up when the hauling lines were released.)
The wide beam helps to create more usable space ... A ballasted vertical-retracting keel keeps minimum draft low while providing good lowered depth for going upwind.