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Friendship 38
Designer: Jac. De Ridder  ·  Builder: Friendship Yachts  ·  First built: 1991
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About the Friendship 38

Dutch designer Jac. De Ridder created a refined cruising sailboat when he penned the Friendship 38 in the early 1990s. Built by Friendship Yachts starting in 1991, this masthead sloop demonstrates classic European sensibilities with modern performance characteristics that appeal to serious cruising sailors. The boat's generous beam of 11.68 feet and substantial displacement of 15,432 pounds create a stable, comfortable platform for extended voyages. With over one-third of her weight carried in ballast, the Friendship 38 offers reassuring stability in challenging conditions. Her fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling while maintaining the directional stability valued by offshore cruisers. The comfort ratio of 23.16 indicates this yacht prioritizes seaworthiness and crew comfort over pure speed, making her well-suited for coastal cruising and offshore passages. Her capsize screening value of 1.88 falls within acceptable ranges for ocean voyaging, while the hull's conservative lines and construction suggest durability over multiple seasons. With a sail area to displacement ratio of 18.11, the Friendship 38 offers moderate performance that balances sailing ability with manageable sail handling. This makes her particularly attractive to couples or small crews seeking a capable, well-mannered cruising yacht for serious coastal and offshore adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.70 ft / 12.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 38.71 ft / 11.80 m
Beam 11.68 ft / 3.56 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 15,432.00 lb / 7,000 kg
Ballast 5,512.00 lb / 2,500 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 699.00 ft² / 64.94 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jac. de Ridder
Builder Friendship Yachts
First Built 1991
Associations International Friendship Club
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
18.11
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
35.72
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
118.77
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
23.16
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
1.88
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. 8.34 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. 1,615.52 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model 2003
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 21 gals / 79 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
How It Compares

vs. Blue 41 Beneteau, Burns 40, Fast 42, Quest 40 Martin, Wilderness 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Friendship 38 ★
39.7 ft
Blue 41 Beneteau
40.5 ft
Burns 40
39.6 ft
Fast 42
41.3 ft
Quest 40 Martin
40.0 ft
Wilderness 40
40.0 ft
LWL
Friendship 38 ★
38.7 ft
Blue 41 Beneteau
38.3 ft
Burns 40
33.8 ft
Fast 42
37.9 ft
Quest 40 Martin
36.5 ft
Wilderness 40
32.0 ft
Beam
Friendship 38 ★
11.7 ft
Blue 41 Beneteau
23.2 ft
Burns 40
11.3 ft
Fast 42
12.6 ft
Quest 40 Martin
13.6 ft
Wilderness 40
12.0 ft
Displacement
Friendship 38 ★
15 lbs
Blue 41 Beneteau
15 lbs
Burns 40
10 lbs
Fast 42
14 lbs
Quest 40 Martin
12 lbs
Wilderness 40
9 lbs
Ballast
Friendship 38 ★
5 lbs
Blue 41 Beneteau
Burns 40
5 lbs
Fast 42
5 lbs
Quest 40 Martin
5 lbs
Wilderness 40
3 lbs
Sail Area
Friendship 38 ★
699 sq ft
Blue 41 Beneteau
Burns 40
Fast 42
1 sq ft
Quest 40 Martin
847 sq ft
Wilderness 40
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Friendship 38 ★
Blue 41 Beneteau
Burns 40
86 s/nm
Fast 42
Quest 40 Martin
Wilderness 40
80 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Friendship 38 ★
18.1
Blue 41 Beneteau
Burns 40
Fast 42
30.7
Quest 40 Martin
24.9
Wilderness 40
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Friendship 38 ★
35.7 %
Blue 41 Beneteau
Burns 40
47.6 %
Fast 42
36.4 %
Quest 40 Martin
41.6 %
Wilderness 40
44.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Friendship 38 ★
23.2
Blue 41 Beneteau
9.0
Burns 40
Fast 42
19.8
Quest 40 Martin
16.2
Wilderness 40
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Friendship 38 ★
1.88
Blue 41 Beneteau
3.76
Burns 40
Fast 42
2.06
Quest 40 Martin
2.33
Wilderness 40
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Friendship 38 ★
118
Blue 41 Beneteau
119
Burns 40
121
Fast 42
119
Quest 40 Martin
117
Wilderness 40
122
Hull Speed
Friendship 38 ★
8.3 kts
Blue 41 Beneteau
8.3 kts
Burns 40
Fast 42
8.3 kts
Quest 40 Martin
8.1 kts
Wilderness 40
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