Friendship 53

Based on the successful design of her little sister, the Friendship 53 continues the unmistakable luxury, craftsmanship, and ease of handling that have become synonymous with the Friendship Yacht Company. Still a single-handed yacht, the 53 sacrifices nothing towards volume, comfort, and finish. 

True to Ted Fontaine’s design philosophy, the Friendship 53 is fast, exciting to sail, yet extremely comfortable with a 15-foot beam and cockpit that fits up to eight with ease; a feature that is unheard of on other yachts of this size. The shallow draft of the underbody shape provides little drag through the water, and when fit with the tall rig and high aspect headsails, the boat is one of the faster 50-foot cruising boats on the water.

One of the defining features onboard the Friendship 53 is a technologically advanced sail handling system to enable effortless single-handed sailing.  The 110% genoa is electrically furled using foot buttons adjacent to each primary winch. The jib sheets are led to electric winches at either side of the helm, within easy reach of the helmsman. Controlled by two buttons at the helmsman’s feet, the sheeting of the in-boom furling mainsail is simple, fast and accurate. The large cockpit table houses a Garmin 5200 GPS touch screen plotter and Simrad auto pilot control.  Both electronic units can be folded away when not in use.

The flawlessly clean decks and low profile cabin top provide a full 360 degree line of sight for the helmsman. The addition of an optional fixed bimini over the cockpit creates the feeling of an additional room on deck. With her remarkable shallow draft, she draws 5.75’ with the centerboard up, and 10.53’ with the board fully down. 

Below decks, the satin and gloss varnished, raised-panel teak joinery with painted v-groove hull ceilings is timeless in her styling.  The interior hosts a double cabin aft, with an ensuite head to port. Forward is a master cabin with a large, centerline berth, an ensuite head and separate shower. At the base of the stairs, a full galley is to starboard, looking out on the open, surprisingly spacious main salon with two large facing settees, including one that is convertible to a navigation table. There is also a flat screen TV that retracts down into the back of the centerline settee. Two optional interior arrangements have also been drawn for those who are interested in a three-cabin layout.

The 53 enhances the Friendship brand of custom-built yachts.  Whether it is luxury sailing for the afternoon or coastal cruising, she will turn more heads than any other.