The Friendship 40 might be credited with bringing romance back to sailing. Its sleek, low-profile hull, teak decks, wide, comfortable cockpit and traditional styling combined with modern technology made it an instant boat show hit. People loved fantasizing about daysails with friends and cocktail cruises on summer evenings. Given its popularity, it’s not a surprise that designer Ted Fontaine heeded his clients’ request and made a larger version of the boat.
The new Friendship 53 has all the great styling of its smaller sister, with the interior volume to make cruising aboard the boat realistic. There are very few exterior differences between the 53 and the 40, with the exception of the longer length and larger cockpit. The clean decks and the low-profile cabin of the 40 is carried over into the 53, as is the expanse of teak, from the deck to the cockpit coaming cap. Three settees fill the cockpit, making room for even a crowd to get comfortable.
While the look may be classic, the technology is of-the-moment. The genoa sheets are let to Antal electric winches on either side of the helm and the in-boom furling mainsail is controlled by two buttons at the helmsman’s feet. Electric halyard winches mean your guests won’t even have to put their cocktails down. A GPS and chartplotter are cleverly built into the aft end of the cockpit table for perfect viewing from the helm. The hull has a carbon fiber reinforced foam core. A retractable centerboard that ranges in draft from 5 feet, 9 inches to 12 feet, 3 inches, ensures great performance and the ability to get into thin cruising grounds.
Down below is where owners will find the most difference between the 53 and the 40. Two staterooms are standard but two optional interior arrangements feature three cabins. In the standard layout, the master cabin is forward with a large centerline berth and en suite head with a separate shower. Another double cabin is aft and features another head. The galley features a built-in microwave and a refrigerator/freezer built into the countertop. Owners will choose the color of Corian used for countertops.
Plenty more stunning joinerwork is featured down below, although white Nevamar bulkheads and an abundance of portholes and hatches keep it from getting too dark. Two large settees, one of which converts into a navigation table, are featured in the saloon. A flat screen television retracts into the back of the centerline settee.
Like the 40, the Friendship 53 will be built at Austral Yachts in New Zealand. The boat is expected to be at the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, October 6 to 9.
