Nowadays, unlike a few decades ago, compromises no longer necessarily have a positive connotation. This is because someone who compromises automatically deviates from their position and gives in. Finding a solution by consensus is generally perceived as suboptimal.
Yachts in particular are always compromises - between sailing performance and living comfort, between demands and the owner's wallet or, quite profanely, between draught and weight. A shipyard that named its products Compromis was therefore certain that it had found an ideal middle ground between the extremes in sailboat construction. At the same time, however, it openly admits that not everything can be ideal, but must be orientated towards an initial condition.
Designer Frans Maas focusses on living comfort
Of course, the many decisions that have to be made during the design process often depend on the intended sailing area and therefore also the target group, which is probably the most important initial condition. Frans Maas, designer of the various Compromis types, also sees the often rainy Nordic waters as the main area of use for the boats. His focus is therefore on living quality. Cockpits that are not too large, but offer plenty of protection, with plenty of living space below deck. And since rain often brings wind with it, easily controllable sail areas are more important than extremely good low-wind characteristics. This sets the cornerstones for all three test candidates: maximum possible living comfort for the respective length, manageable sail areas and a robust construction.
This fits in with the shipyard's motto: do it well or not at all. It has now been in existence for 70 years and has already built several thousand ships, starting with the Centaur, an open sailing boat that alone has made it to 2400 units. When the company passed from the Zaadnoordijk family to the new owner Jan Müller in 2000, the shipyard had already been based at its new location in Heerenveen for many years.
And because compromises are apparently no longer held in such high regard, the name changes to C-Yacht. However, the boats remain true to their principles: always well built, always over 40 per cent ballast. And always with a focus on areas where the weather can be bad. The three test boats are offered from 1981 (777) and 1987. The predecessor of the 999, the 909, has been in the programme since 1979. With a different interior layout and the transition from hydraulic to cable steering, the 999 is therefore not a real innovation, but a revision of a familiar model.
Lost treasure
A total of 1016 of the three types were built. The largest boat in the test dates from 2014. The owner really wanted a new 999; the shipyard followed his request and got to work, as they still had the moulds. Not unusual: before the mould was put into storage, a hull was built into it to protect it. This was forgotten. The shipyard staff were all the more surprised when they opened the mould: The hull was in perfect condition and could be used - a further indication of the shipyard's construction quality.
Looking at the three test candidates, the family affiliation is immediately apparent. A striking feature: the thick black rubber skirting. It may be unsightly, but it is extremely practical. When moored in pits, as is usual in Nordic waters, it allows you to lean against the pole to leeward without any consequences. What they all have in common is a well-designed layout below deck with plenty of usable storage space and, last but not least, very good-natured sailing characteristics.
Surprise under sail
In the test, both smaller boats manage to sail an ear off their big sister. In winds of around 12 knots, the almost ten metre long 999 simply doesn't get going; despite a larger headsail, it seems to be stuck in the water. The steering is sticky and imprecise. Sailing is simply no fun, not even 5 knots are possible upwind.
The YACHT testers had a different experience in 1991 and were impressed by the performance of the test boat at the time. However, the former head tester Mike Naujok had to deal with about twice as much wind, and the boat was still in delivery condition. Today, the owners, who live in Austria, have brought a complete household plus drinks for a whole season on board. With little wind, these extra kilos are clearly noticeable.
The 888 is different: it shows the expected. She lay in the water over the winter and has some growth on the hull. A 105 per cent jib is attached to the furler. And although these are not perfect conditions either - the headsail could be a little bigger for less wind - she is fun to sail. This is not least due to the tiller steering. It is naturally very direct, but without being nervous. On the wind, speeds of 5.5 knots are possible with decent tacking angles of around 90 degrees. The cockpit is comfortable and everything is within easy reach. The seat thwarts open towards the transom take a little getting used to. If you put something down there, you have to be prepared for it to slide or roll off the boat aft. This also applies to sheets or mooring lines, which can get caught in the propeller.
The smallest sails the most agile
Otherwise, the yacht raises no questions. The mainsail is virtually untrimmable thanks to the top rig and the mainsheet, which is run on a foot block on the cockpit floor. Only the kicker brings relaxation to the leech if required. However, this set-up should be completely sufficient for the target group, as the focus is on relaxed touring sailing. And because the boat is rather insensitive to its trimming equipment, this relieves the skipper of the obligation to actually use it.
The 777 sails the most agile, it is the fastest in the round on the test day. A clean underwater hull and a larger headsail have an effect, the little one keeps up almost at will. It is important to work with the traveller and outhaul on the main and to actually use the genoa tracks. But no matter how well the boat is trimmed, the tiller demands constant attention, even under engine power. One second without a guiding hand means turning at right angles. This is not untypical for boats with a free-standing spade rudder, but it is always strenuous. Apart from that, the 777 impresses with its perfect single-handed layout.
Halyards and outriggers end on the cabin roof, you can reach them from the tiller and always have everything under control. The boat never causes any problems, even under engine power. Unfortunately, the baby stay is a nuisance when tacking with the large genoa.
Thoughtfully habitable
Below deck, however, almost everything is as it should be: practical and within easy reach. It is hard to believe that the 777 is actually less than eight metres long. Only the low headroom of around 1.70 metres reveals the external dimensions of the little one. The berths are not too tight. At the front, they are 1.50 metres wide and two metres long, while the dog bunk is 80 centimetres wide and also two metres long. Only the berth in the saloon, at 1.15 metres from the side entrance to the side wall, is not big enough for two. So four berths in total. However, the boat can't take any more sailors, so that's just fine.
The Compromis also has a few special features: The angled staircase cleverly provides more space and offers shelves in the steps, an opening above the galley turns out to be access to the waste bin, which is located in the forecastle and therefore does not fill the saloon with unpleasant odours. On some models, a flap in the main bulkhead provides space for the feet of particularly long sleepers on the starboard saloon bench.
Two aha moments await the sailor inside the 888. Firstly, the size - just under nine metres - is hard to believe, just like on the 777. An L-shaped galley, the seating area, a rather voluminous wet room and a navigation table: everything feels spacious, just like on a much longer yacht. The headroom of 1.90 metres is also fine.
Keeping your head down is sometimes necessary
The amazement continues in the aft cabin. The headroom is tight, but the berth is really huge at 1.40 by 2.40 metres. This makes it the preferred cabin, as the sleeping area in the foredeck starts right at the door if two people are to sleep there. If you want to get changed standing up, you have to do it in the saloon. There is also a wardrobe to starboard, which makes the berth a little short. The only really relaxed way to sleep there is alone, in which case part of the berth can be removed to create a small standing area.
In the wet room, you will learn to watch your head, as a piece of the cockpit bench protrudes into the room. But that's a matter of getting used to. The oil locker, which is accessible both from the wet room and directly from the cockpit locker, proves to be extremely practical. Important: it can be locked from the inside.
Tightly dimensioned
The 999 also has a lot to offer below deck. As is typical on centre-cockpit ships, the aft cabin is accessed via a corridor on the starboard side past the galley. The height decreases abruptly on the way there and is only 1.56 metres aft.
The berth in the cabin also leaves something to be desired: Although it meets the specifications at 2.15 by 1.40 metres, the sleeper has to live with a rowing coker between their feet towards the middle of the boat. If you don't like this, you can move to the bunk at the front when the boat is occupied by two people. At 2.54 by 1.80 metres, it can be described as huge. However, it also starts right at the saloon door if it is to reach these impressive dimensions. The saloon scores with a cosy seating area. However, the depth of the seating on the port side is too short. The navigation corner has a swivelling stool, another Compromis-typical delicacy - a good place to sit and work both at sea and in the harbour. The wet room is fine, but there is no shower.
Hardly any problem areas
Normally, used boat tests always specify points that a prospective buyer should look out for in a boat. This is difficult with the Compromis. There are the windows. They were initially made of Plexiglas and later fitted with aluminium frames, the latter of course being more durable. From 1997, they were laminated in vinylester. This is better because it is osmosis-resistant. But even with older models, this is not a major issue.
The 777 was initially fitted with a Volvo diesel with 7 hp, later a Yanmar with a whopping 9 horsepower. The latter is the recommended choice, as this engine is still available to buy.
Other typical defects? Not a thing. Of course: engine, rigging, sails, rudder bearings, saildrive, cushions. But that's generally true. So you can't go wrong with the Compromis. On the contrary: the used boat prices indicate that the boats are very stable in value.
Compromis 777: A yacht in miniature
Although not even eight metres long, the Compromis 777 feels like a big boat when sailing thanks to its deep, sheltered cockpit.
Technical data of the Compromis 777
- Design engineer:Frans Maas
- Torso length:7,87 m
- Width:2,78 m
- Depth: 1,00/1,25 m
- Weight:2,3 t
- sail area:30,5 m2
Hull and deck construction
Hand lay-up and spray process, sandwich/solid laminate
Prices of the Compromis 777
- Base price 1992: 39.100 €
- Used price 11/2023:about 10,000 to 15,000 €
YACHT review of the Compromis 777
The 777 still offers a lot of boat for a reasonable price. Ideal for two, or even four for a weekend, the little one has everything you need for cruising.
Design and concept
- + Large bunks
- + Ideal space utilisation
- - Little headroom
Sailing performance and trim
- + Agile sailing behaviour
- + Simple operation
- - Quickly gets out of hand
Equipment and technology
- + Successful sound insulation
- + Good fittings
- - Saloon berth starboard narrow
Compromis 888: Ready for anything
Spacious, good-natured, solid: the Compromis 888 does a lot of things right. This makes it the ideal entry-level boat.
Technical data of the Compromis 888
- Design engineer:Frans Maas
- Torso length: 8,70 m
- Width:3,00 m
- Depth:1,20/1,50 m
- Weight:3,4 t
- sail area:39,2 m2
Hull and deck construction
Solid laminate using the hand lay-up method. From 1997 Vinylester
Prices of the Compromis 888
- Base price 1997: 70.000 €
- Used price 11/2023about 27.000 to 35.000€
YACHT review of the Compromis 888
The 888 is like a Golf: nothing exciting, nothing wrong. It raises no questions and is easy to operate. Well built, a solid cruising boat.
Design and concept
- + Elaborate keel design
- + High ballast content
- - Standing height in the WC room
Sailing performance and trim
- + Appropriate rudder pressure
- + Long genoa splints
- - Mainsheet on cockpit floor
Equipment and technology
- + Water filter easily accessible
- + Collision bulkhead
- - Back boxes not subdivided
Compromis 999: Everything in the centre
At just under ten metres in length, the Compromis 999 is one of the shortest mid-cockpit yachts around. That makes it popular.
Technical data of the Compromis 999
- Design engineer:Frans Maas
- Torso length:9,60 m
- Width:3,40 m
- Depth:1,50 m
- Weight:4,9 t
- sail area:41,6/46,7 m2
Hull and deck construction
GRP hand lay-up/spraying process, partly with sandwich, vinyl ester
Prices of the Compromis 999
- Base price 1991:70.000 €
- Used price 11/2023:about 30.000 to 55.000 €
YACHT rating of the Compromis 999
Solid cruising boat for two. Optimum utilisation of space below deck, but somewhat dark. On deck, the centre cockpit and good-natured handling score points.
Design and concept
- + Very solidly built
- + Plenty of storage space
- - Heavy in comparison
Sailing performance and trim
- + Good-natured under sail
- - Controls very imprecise
- - Hardly any trimming options
Equipment and technology
- + Powerful motor
- + Good fittings
- - Rowing coker in aft berth
This article first appeared in YACHT 04/2017 and has been updated for this online version.
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