Design and Construction
Koopmans specified a hand-laid, solid-laminate hull that gives the Friendship 28 reassuring rigidity, while the yard’s manufacturing quality is consistently considered solid. The solid-laminate hull contributes to that rigidity.
The deck uses balsa-sandwich construction. On older boats, water can enter the core and leave soft, springy areas underfoot. More recent hulls used isophthalic resin in the outer layers to resist osmosis.
The boat displaces about 3.5 tonnes on a 28-foot hull and has a ballast fraction near 43 percent. Testers noted that a high ballast ratio—up to 47 percent—helped keep her stiff. High freeboard keeps almost all water off the deck in waves, while the cabin trunk and cockpit coaming add to the sense of security.
The original 8.70 m hull was later lengthened by 20 cm with a glued-on stern scoop. The newer type also replaced the single striped cabin window with three windows.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The masthead rig makes a very solid impression. A baby stay supports the mast, though it also obstructs tacking; the baby stay certainly contributes to this.
Sail areas are 14.5 m² for the mainsail and 27.5 m² for the Genoa I. A 150 percent genoa was optional. On the IJsselmeer in 4 to 5 Beaufort, the test boat sailed fast and high, making 5.2 knots to windward with a turning angle of less than 90 degrees. Speed could build to 6 knots.
The rudder responds directly, and initial stability is good. Some factory literature describes the boat as slightly weatherly. Early reefing of the mainsail can correct this, while persistent cases may call for moving the mast forward. The later de Slinke rebuild shifted the keel aft to reduce that yaw.
Together, the high freeboard, cabin trunk, and stability create an enormous feeling of safety.
Accommodations
The interior layout evolved during production. Early boats placed the WC between the forepeak berth and the saloon. Later versions gained a separate wet room beside the companionway, with the galley moved into the former head space.
Testers found two cabins, a saloon, a decent galley, and the separate wet room. Standing headroom is 1.84 m in the saloon and 1.74 m in the head. The foredeck berths measure about 1.98 by 1.47 m. The aft double appears to measure 2.13 by 1.50 m, but engine intrusion reduces its internal length to 1.76 m.
An additional quarter berth sits beneath the cockpit. It’s only 44 cm high, but because it remains open to the cabin, it avoids feeling confined. Multiple windows—especially those on either side of the companionway—bring light into the interior. Most open for ventilation, making the Friendship 28 less gloomy than some Koopmans designs.
Known Issues
The original large windows, set in aluminium frames, were notorious for leaking. The yard later cured the problem by fitting ready-made tight panes.
The balsa-cored deck is another concern on older boats, as water ingress can leave soft areas. Engines also deserve close scrutiny. Older, single-circuit-cooled units with decades of service are reaching the end of their lives, including the Bukh or Yanmar shaft drives fitted to early examples.
The slightly weatherly handling is manageable, but prospective buyers should know about it.
Refits, Variations, and Ownership
The Friendship 28 continued to evolve across several builders. Changes included the window-replacement program, the 20 cm stern extension, and the later relocation of the keel. Later boats also received the three-window cabin trunk and the wet room beside the companionway—useful distinctions when comparing examples.
Some hulls were supplied for self-construction. Their finish quality varies widely, in contrast with the high standard of yard-built boats.
The Verdict
The Friendship 28 is a genuinely seaworthy small cruiser with a stiff, confident feel and a practical, if compact, interior. Her solid hull and high ballast ratio reward the cautious buyer, while the balsa deck and early windows demand inspection. She isn’t a lightweight racer; she’s a robust boat that handles a breeze without fuss.
Pros
- Solid-laminate hull and high ballast ratio provide stiffness and a sense of safety
- Direct rudder response and good initial stability
- Bright, well-ventilated interior with an evolving layout
- Seaworthy Koopmans pedigree with manageable known fixes
Cons
- Balsa-sandwich deck can develop soft areas after water ingress
- Original aluminium-framed windows were notoriously leaky
- Older engines may be near the end of their service lives
- Slightly weatherly unless corrected through rig or keel changes
