1988 Friendship 26

Friendship 26 – Polyester Sailing Yacht from 1988 with Volvo Penta Engine

The Friendship 26 is a popular sailboat from the 1980s, designed by Jac. de Ridder and built by the renowned Meijer Balk shipyard. This particular model was built in 1988 and has since served as a recreational sailing yacht on inland waters and lakes. The boat has been owned by the current owner since 2000, who is the third owner. The Friendship 26 is known for its sailing characteristics and is suitable for both novice and experienced sailors.

Dimensions and Construction

The Friendship 26 has a length of 8.10 meters, a width of 2.70 meters, and a draft of 1.40 meters. The hull is made of polyester and has a round bilge hull shape. The clearance height is 11 meters, making the boat suitable for a wide range of sailing areas, including waters with bridges. The cabin headroom is 1.65 meters. The boat is equipped with a single rudder and is steered with a tiller from the cockpit.

Interior and Accommodation

Inside, the Friendship 26 offers sleeping space for four people. The layout includes a dining area and a simple stove. There is a manual toilet, with the discharge going directly into open water. The water tank has a capacity of 50 liters. There is no heating on board. The boat is designed for short vacations, weekend trips, and day trips.

Sailing Equipment

The Friendship 26 is equipped with an aluminum mast and has two sails: a genoa and a mainsail. The mainsail is the original sail from the construction period and shows signs of aging. The genoa is equipped with a Furlex 100S furling system, whose UV cover is worn. The sail plan is suitable for solo sailing, and the boat is easy to handle, even with a limited crew.

Engine and Technology

The boat is equipped with a Volvo Penta 2001 inboard diesel engine with a power of 10 hp. The engine was built in 1993 and has approximately 1500 running hours. The engine starts electrically and consumes about 0.5 liters of diesel per hour. The fuel tank has a capacity of 30 liters. The cruising speed is around 9 km/h, with a maximum speed of approximately 12 km/h.

Electrically, the boat is equipped with a battery charger, alternator, inverter, voltmeter, and shore power connection. There are three batteries on board with a total capacity of 240 Ah. The electrical system operates on 12V and 220V.

Navigation and Safety

For navigation, the boat is equipped with a depth meter, compass, and log/speedometer. In terms of safety, there is a lifebuoy, a self-draining cockpit, and a manual bilge pump. The boat features a guardrail, fenders and lines, a swim ladder, and a sprayhood. A cockpit table and pushpit and pulpit seats enhance comfort on deck.

Maintenance and Documentation

The boat comes with documentation, including the manual for the Friendship and the Volvo Penta engine, as well as a maintenance log for the engine. The last antifouling treatment and out-of-water maintenance are scheduled for 2025. No signs of osmosis have been observed. Known points of attention are the worn UV cover of the furling jib and the aged mainsail.

Usage and Sailing Experience

The current owner has mainly used the boat for pleasure cruising, vacations, and weekend trips. The boat has only been sailed on inland waters and lakes. The Friendship 26 is known as a stable sailor with good sailing characteristics. The boat is suitable for solo sailing and is easy to operate, making it attractive to both novice and advanced sailors.