Design Brief & Swedish Heritage
Andersson’s design brief targeted the expanding market of Swedish cruising families who wanted a modern, high-volume yacht without sacrificing performance. The Compis 33 stood out from contemporary rivals of the era—such as the Albin Nova, Contrast 33, and Omega 34—by offering an exceptionally broad beam of over ten and a half feet, carrying that volume well aft to maximize interior living space.
Below decks, the boat feels remarkably like a 35-foot vessel. Its layout is highly functional, utilizing a longitudinal galley to port that extends partially beneath the cockpit, paired with dual quarter berths aft. Rather than placing the head near the companionway, Andersson positioned the marine head forward of the main saloon, allowing the keel-stepped mast to pass directly through the head compartment. This clever configuration keeps the main saloon entirely dry, eliminates the cabin table obstruction common with mast steps, and creates a wide-open living area dominated by beautiful, warm teak joinery.
However, potential buyers must note that Compisbåtar often sold these vessels as three-quarter home-completion kits. Consequently, the fit, finish, and general build quality of the interior cabinetry, plumbing, and electrical installations can vary significantly depending on the skill of the original owner who completed the build.
Variations & Hull Configurations
Throughout its brief production run, the Compis 33 maintained a consistent profile defined by its moderate-draft lead fin keel and deep spade rudder. The choice of a lead keel rather than cheaper cast iron was a premium engineering decision that lowered the center of gravity and maximized righting moment.
The standard rig is a 7/8 fractional setup. While the foundational hull remained stable, a critical production change occurred midway through the run. Early hulls were constructed with the chainplates and shroud bases mounted directly at the gunwale, which restricted sheeting angles. Later iterations moved these chainplates inboard, allowing for tighter sheeting of a larger, overlapping genoa and significantly improving upwind performance. After the builder's bankruptcy, the design's molds were acquired by Compis Sweden AB, which lengthened the hull and redesigned the transom to include an integrated swim platform, culminating in the short-lived successor, the Compis 345.
Sailing Performance & Seaway Handling
Under sail, the Compis 33’s performance closely reflects Bernt Andersson’s competitive pedigree. With a displacement of 11,618 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 34.15 percent, the yacht is notably stiff, standing up well to its canvas and maintaining a gentle, predictable motion in a seaway. The displacement-to-length ratio of 223.11 puts the hull squarely in the moderate cruiser-racer category—heavy enough to slice cleanly through a choppy sea state without the flat-bottom slamming characteristic of ultra-light designs, yet light enough to remain agile.
Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 15.09 points to a balanced, easily managed sail plan that relies on a powerful mainsail and a smaller, easily tacked headsail. While the fractional rig is highly tunable and excels in moderate to fresh breezes, the boat can feel slightly sluggish in light air, often prompting modern crews to carry a Code Zero or gennaker on an aftermarket bowsprit. Helming is highly responsive; the deep spade rudder and lead fin keel provide exceptional maneuverability. With a comfort ratio of 26.08 and a capsize screening formula of 1.87, the boat offers high safety margins and motion comfort that exceed standard coastal cruisers of its size class.
Known Issues & Technical Triage
While the Compis 33 is fundamentally a robustly constructed vessel, several vintage-specific issues require careful inspection. The hull and deck are constructed using a fiberglass sandwich with Divinycell as the core material. While Divinycell is far more impervious to water damage and rot than balsa, prolonged water ingress from neglected deck fittings—such as stanchions, track bolts, and cleats—can still result in localized delamination. A thorough moisture meter assessment and physical tap testing of the deck are essential during survey.
Additionally, because of the kit-built nature of many hulls, surveyors must pay close attention to the execution of the 12-volt DC wiring, freshwater plumbing, and the secure bonding of bulkheads to the hull. Early models with gunwale-mounted chainplates should also be inspected for stress cracking around the sheerline deck joints, as these areas bear high rig loads.
Modernization & Refit Potential
Many surviving Compis 33 hulls have undergone extensive modernization by dedicated owners. The original, standard engine installations—typically the 18-horsepower Volvo Penta 2002 or the 15-horsepower Yanmar 2GM paired with a 120S sail drive—are now reaching the end of their reliable service life. Modernizing the auxiliary power with a fresh 20-horsepower diesel, such as a Yanmar 3YM20 or Volvo Penta D1-20, is a common and straightforward upgrade, as the engine compartment offers generous access.
Sailing systems are also frequently upgraded; owners often convert the traditional running backstays to simplified, modern swept-back arrangements or replace old wire halyards with high-modulus Dyneema. Installing an aftermarket bowsprit to fly asymmetrical spinnakers is highly recommended to boost light-wind performance, transforming the Compis 33 into an exceptionally capable, short-handed coastal cruiser that can easily hold its own against contemporary designs.
The Verdict
The Compis 33 is an outstanding choice for cruising sailors who value traditional Swedish build quality, safety, and balanced sailing characteristics over the mass-produced, high-volume designs of the modern era. While its limited production run makes finding one on the second-hand market a challenge, it represents an exceptional value, offering the offshore capabilities, stiffness, and interior comfort of a much larger vessel. Buyers must simply exercise due diligence to ensure they purchase a hull with a well-executed home-completed interior and a dry Divinycell core.
Pros
- Excellent performance and balanced handling in moderate to fresh winds.
- Premium lead fin keel provides a low center of gravity and high stability.
- Divinycell sandwich construction offers superior thermal insulation and minimizes cabin condensation.
- Generous beam creates an interior volume that comfortably accommodates a family.
- Dry, open saloon layout achieved by running the mast through the head compartment.
Cons
- Highly limited availability on the second-hand market outside of Northern Europe.
- Variable interior build quality due to many hulls being sold as home-completed kits.
- Sluggish performance in light airs without auxiliary off-wind sails.
- Original Volvo Penta or Yanmar engines are often nearing the end of their service lives.
- Running backstays on early fractional rigs can complicate shorthanded sailing maneuvers.
