Design and Construction
The Friendship 26 measures 8.10 meters overall and 6.16 meters on the waterline, with a breadth of 2.70 meters that provides a modest but usable beam for a boat of this size. Displacement is 1.755 kilograms, including 715 kilograms of ballast. The resulting ballast-to-displacement ratio of 40.73 percent reflects a reasonably weighted hull for its length.
Conservative hull lines underpin the boat’s agile characteristics on the water. Period reviews describe it as a lively small sailing yacht rather than a sluggish coastal plodder. The builder paired a solid fiberglass hull and deck with an iron ballast keel.
YACHT’s used-boat test found that the good build quality means there are hardly any problems, even with older boats—a notable endorsement for a design with such a long construction run.
The fixed fin-keel versions draw either 1.10 or 1.48 meters, while the bilge-keel variant spans 0.80 to 1.60 meters. These options give buyers a choice between deeper stability and shoaler cruising, with the fin keel drawing either 1.10 or 1.48 meters fixed and the bilge-keel variant spanning 0.80 to 1.60 meters.
Rig and Handling
The Friendship 26 carries a 7/8 rig, with a 12.4-square-meter mainsail and a 12.5-square-meter high-aspect jib. Genoa options measure 19.6 and 18.5 square meters respectively, supported by an 8.3-square-meter working jib and a 3.7-square-meter storm jib. The spinnaker provides 39 square meters for downwind sailing. The mast stands 10.90 meters above the waterline.
With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 21.59, the boat reads as quick in gusts and manageable short-handed. Its conservative lines and lively feel make it a responsive coastal cruiser.
Accommodations and Auxiliary Power
Below, the Friendship 26 has 1.77 meters of cabin headroom and berths for five or six. That’s a generous berth count for a 26-footer and reflects the boat’s weekend-cruising purpose. YACHT described the interior as elegant, setting it apart from the more utilitarian small yachts of its era.
Water capacity is 21 gallons, while the diesel tank holds 7 gallons. These capacities suit short coastal hops rather than long offshore passages. A single 10-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2010 diesel provides auxiliary power, and the boat has a modest hull speed near 6 knots.
The Verdict
The Friendship 26 is a sought-after second-hand boat. Its long construction run ensures a good market presence, while its build quality has held up well. It rewards sailors with agile, lively handling and a surprisingly refined interior, without pretending to be a bluewater voyager.
Pros
- Lively, agile handling with conservative hull lines
- Good build quality, with few problems on older boats
- Elegant interior with five or six berths
- Long production run supports a healthy used market
Cons
- Modest 7-gallon fuel and 21-gallon water capacities limit range
- The 10-horsepower diesel is minimal for anything beyond light auxiliary use
