Design and Construction
The Compromis 36 is a solid-GRP monohull built in modest numbers. Her overall length is just over 36 feet, with a waterline length of about 30.5 feet. A beam of 12.2 feet gives her a length-to-beam ratio of 2.96—a comparatively narrow proportion that keeps the hull lean without sacrificing the interior volume expected by a cruising couple. Zaadnoordijk formed the hull-to-deck joint as a structural rubbing strake at the widest point of the beam, a construction detail used across the marque during this period.
With 6,614 pounds of iron ballast, the boat has a ballast ratio of 42%. Her displacement-to-length ratio of 246 places her firmly among loaded cruisers rather than light-displacement racers.
Rig, Keel, and Handling
Maas gave the 36 a fractional sloop rig carrying just over 714 square feet of sail. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 18.28 is enough to keep the boat moving in a breeze without requiring a large crew.
The fin keel draws between 5.25 and 5.55 feet depending on load, keeping the boat within reach of most marina entrances. That load-dependent draft can, however, restrict access to some shallow anchorages.
Theoretical hull speed is 7.4 knots. A capsize screening value of 1.95, together with a motion comfort ratio of 26.6, suggests a stable, forgiving platform in open water. The immersion rate is about 1,297 pounds per inch, meaning the boat sits heavily when loaded but resists sudden changes in attitude. Wetted surface is roughly 398 square feet.
Accommodations and Cruising Systems
Within the known dimensions, the 12.2-foot beam and 36-foot hull support a layout consistent with Maas’s center-cockpit cruising philosophy. The available sources don’t record berth or cabin counts in enough detail to describe the accommodations more precisely.
Fuel capacity is 40 gallons, while the water tanks hold 79 gallons—capacities intended to support extended coastal cruising. A 40-horsepower Yanmar diesel provides the boat’s sole auxiliary propulsion.
Verdict
The Compromis 36 is a limited-production Frans Maas design that combines a comparatively narrow, solidly built hull with a conservative cruising rig and comfortable motion characteristics. She’s a sailor’s boat rather than a volume product. Fewer than 100 were built, however, which limits both spares and the pool of community knowledge.
Pros
- Fractional rig and moderate SA/D suit manageable short-handed sailing
- 42% ballast ratio and 1.95 capsize screening value indicate stable offshore behavior
- Structural rubbing-strake hull-to-deck joint at the widest point of the beam
Cons
- Fewer than 100 boats built, limiting spares and community knowledge
- Load-dependent draft of up to 5.55 feet restricts access to some shallow anchorages
