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Friendship 28
Designer: Jac. De Ridder/Dick Koopmans Sr.  ·  Builder: Jachtwerf Meijer (Nl)  ·  First built: 1974
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About the Friendship 28

Dutch design meets practical cruising in this well-regarded 28-footer from the Netherlands. Designed by the talented duo of Jac. De Ridder and Dick Koopmans Sr., the Friendship 28 emerged during the 1970s as a thoughtful blend of European sailing sensibilities and robust construction suitable for serious coastal cruising. Built by Jachtwerf Meijer from 1974 to 1984, with 400 hulls completed during its decade-long production run, this masthead sloop demonstrates the quality fiberglass construction Dutch yards were becoming known for. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the substantial displacement of 7,716 pounds and healthy ballast ratio contribute to seaworthiness that inspires confidence in challenging conditions. With a comfort ratio of 24.19, the Friendship 28 leans toward the cruising end of the spectrum rather than racing, making it well-suited for extended coastal passages and light offshore work. The relatively conservative sail area and moderate beam create a boat that's easily handled by a small crew while offering the stability and interior volume needed for comfortable cruising. The 10-horsepower auxiliary provides reliable backup power, and the hull's 6.51-knot theoretical hull speed offers respectable passage-making capability under both sail and power.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.54 ft / 8.70 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.62 ft / 7.20 m
Beam 9.35 ft / 2.85 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 7,716.00 lb / 3,500 kg
Ballast 2,866.00 lb / 1,300 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 263.00 ft² / 24.43 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jac. de Ridder/Dick Koopmans Sr.
Builder Jachtwerf Meijer (NL)
First Built 1974
Last Built 1984
Number Built 400
Associations International Friendship Club
Related Sailboats Ericson 28 · Ericson 29 · Hunter 285 · Pearson 28 2 · Ontario 28
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
10.81
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
37.14
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
261.4
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
24.19
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.9
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.51 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 789.11 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Bukh
Engine Model DV 10
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 10
Fuel Capacity 16 gals / 61 L
Water Capacity 26 gals / 98 L
How It Compares

vs. Ericson 28, Ericson 29, Hunter 285, Ontario 28, Pearson 28 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Friendship 28 ★
28.5 ft
Ericson 28
28.5 ft
Ericson 29
28.6 ft
Hunter 285
28.4 ft
Ontario 28
28.6 ft
Pearson 28 2
28.5 ft
LWL
Friendship 28 ★
23.6 ft
Ericson 28
24.2 ft
Ericson 29
22.0 ft
Hunter 285
23.8 ft
Ontario 28
22.0 ft
Pearson 28 2
24.4 ft
Beam
Friendship 28 ★
9.4 ft
Ericson 28
10.5 ft
Ericson 29
9.3 ft
Hunter 285
10.5 ft
Ontario 28
10.0 ft
Pearson 28 2
9.8 ft
Displacement
Friendship 28 ★
7 lbs
Ericson 28
7 lbs
Ericson 29
8 lbs
Hunter 285
7 lbs
Ontario 28
6 lbs
Pearson 28 2
7 lbs
Ballast
Friendship 28 ★
2 lbs
Ericson 28
3 lbs
Ericson 29
3 lbs
Hunter 285
3 lbs
Ontario 28
2 lbs
Pearson 28 2
2 lbs
Sail Area
Friendship 28 ★
263 sq ft
Ericson 28
422 sq ft
Ericson 29
436 sq ft
Hunter 285
398 sq ft
Ontario 28
400 sq ft
Pearson 28 2
384 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Friendship 28 ★
Ericson 28
180 s/nm
Ericson 29
210 s/nm
Hunter 285
Ontario 28
195 s/nm
Pearson 28 2
192 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Friendship 28 ★
10.8
Ericson 28
17.7
Ericson 29
16.8
Hunter 285
17.5
Ontario 28
17.9
Pearson 28 2
16.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Friendship 28 ★
37.1 %
Ericson 28
40.0 %
Ericson 29
45.9 %
Hunter 285
42.9 %
Ontario 28
42.7 %
Pearson 28 2
36.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Friendship 28 ★
24.2
Ericson 28
19.9
Ericson 29
28.3
Hunter 285
18.8
Ontario 28
20.4
Pearson 28 2
20.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Friendship 28 ★
1.90
Ericson 28
2.15
Ericson 29
1.82
Hunter 285
2.20
Ontario 28
2.11
Pearson 28 2
2.06
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Friendship 28 ★
261
Ericson 28
237
Ericson 29
356
Hunter 285
233
Ontario 28
285
Pearson 28 2
215
Hull Speed
Friendship 28 ★
6.5 kts
Ericson 28
6.6 kts
Ericson 29
6.3 kts
Hunter 285
6.5 kts
Ontario 28
6.3 kts
Pearson 28 2
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Friendship 28 ★
Ericson 28
2.3
Ericson 29
1.3
Hunter 285
2.4
Ontario 28
1.9
Pearson 28 2
2.5
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