Friendship 22 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Friendship 22 was offered in several distinct below-decks configurations, and used examples reflect that variety. The most commonly encountered layout is the open-plan arrangement, with a forward V-berth and a pair of saloon settee berths running aft along either side — a sensible, airy setup that gives the small cabin a generous feel relative to its footprint. Berth lengths are notably long for a boat of this size, which makes overnight passages comfortable for adults. An alternative layout substituted a dog bunk on the starboard side for the locker in that position, and included a lockable main bulkhead to create a partially separate foredeck compartment. Buyers who value the sense of space are generally better served by the open version.

Keel variants are an equally important dimension. Fixed keels were offered in at least three depths, and a ballast centreboard option was built directly into the original design — not a retrofit afterthought. The shallowest draught suits trailering and shallow-water cruising grounds; the deeper fixed keel offers improved windward performance and late-righting stability. A centreboard example requires additional inspection of the lifting mechanism and the trunk, but was engineered into the hull from the outset rather than bolted on later.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Given the age of most examples on the market, what you find aboard a given Friendship 22 reflects decades of individual owner choices rather than any factory standard. Light downwind canvas is a frequent owner addition — gennakers and spinnakers appear on many cruising examples, reflecting how well the hull handles reaching and running. Swim platforms have been added to a number of boats over the years, which improves ease of boarding from the water but should be inspected to confirm the transom attachment is sound and properly sealed. Teak deck overlays also appear occasionally, typically as cosmetic upgrades from earlier ownership eras; their condition varies widely and they warrant close inspection for delamination and moisture ingress at the edges.

The original rig is a 7/8 fractional arrangement — a layout that gives good control of mast bend and sail shape, and that owners have generally maintained rather than replaced wholesale. Sails on older boats are often well past their prime. A fresh suit of sails, or even a new mainsail alone, is among the most impactful improvements a buyer can make. The cockpit ergonomics are well regarded, and the lead of the headsail sheets to the winches was considered particularly clever at the time of first testing — this is not a boat that will frustrate you with poorly conceived deck hardware.

Some boats were originally fitted with Volvo Penta petrol engines via Saildrive. Where this combination survives, careful attention to the fuel system is essential before purchase; conversion to a small diesel is technically feasible and meaningfully reduces long-term risk, though the cost of a new engine must be factored against the overall price of the boat.

What to Inspect

The Friendship 22's structural quality is generally acknowledged as high for its era, but several specific areas concentrate the risk on older examples and must be examined carefully.

The keel attachment is the single most important inspection point. Hairline cracks at the aft end of the keel inside the bilge are a known symptom of grounding damage, and the strongback is relatively low — only a few centimetres — which limits its ability to distribute impact loads. Removing topcoat and gelcoat to check for white cracks in the laminate is advisable when the opportunity arises, and additional reinforcement can be laminated into the bilge at the keel end if any damage is found. Keel bolts should be inspected for corrosion — the original installation sometimes used stainless steel nuts on steel bolts without locking, a combination that promotes galvanic attack. Flexible sanitary silicone used as a keel-to-hull sealant is a red flag; the correct remedy is an MS polymer sealant in that joint.

The deck construction is a balsa sandwich, which performs well when intact but is vulnerable to moisture if penetrations are not correctly sealed. Softness in the deck, particularly around any fittings that have been added after the original build, signals moisture ingress into the core and potentially expensive repair. Probe around all deck hardware, especially anything that was retrofitted by a previous owner.

Osmosis is reported to be relatively uncommon on these hulls, attributed to the quality of the original gelcoat, but it is always worth examining the underwater area immediately after the boat comes out of the water. Do not skip this step simply because the model's reputation is generally positive.

Where a petrol engine with Saildrive is fitted, a thorough check of the fuel system for leaks is essential — a compromised petrol system in an enclosed bilge is a genuine explosion risk. If the installation has deteriorated or the engine is beyond economical repair, weigh the cost of a diesel retrofit against the purchase price before committing.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Friendship 22 is most readily encountered in its home waters of the Netherlands and Germany, where the model built its original reputation and where active owner communities have kept boats in circulation for many years. Switzerland and the broader German-speaking market also show meaningful availability. Outside Europe, examples appear in the United Kingdom and the United States, typically in smaller numbers but often in well-maintained condition reflecting the enthusiasm of buyers who sought the boat out specifically.

The supply of original spare parts has become uncertain since the final attempt at production and brand maintenance in Lemmer closed. Owners have historically managed this through the strong community networks — Dutch, German, and Swiss owner websites circulate downloadable documentation, parts knowledge, and technical information. Factoring in self-sufficiency and community engagement is part of buying into this boat.

Before committing, a buyer should work through the following:

• Identify the keel variant (depth and type) and confirm it suits your intended waters and trailering needs
• Inspect keel-to-hull joint and bilge laminate carefully for grounding damage and corrosion at the bolts
• Walk every inch of deck, pressing firmly around all fittings, especially retrofitted ones, for balsa core softness
• Examine the underwater surface for blisters immediately after haulout
• Confirm the fuel system condition if a petrol engine is fitted; plan for diesel conversion if the installation is compromised
• Assess the sail inventory honestly — worn cloth will mask the hull's genuine sailing ability
• Budget for at least a consultation with an owner community or surveyor familiar with Dutch production boats of this era