Maxi Rib Above-Ground
Above-ground installation for difficult sites
The patented Compass Maxi Rib technology allows any Compass shape to be installed fully or partially above ground on sloping, difficult, or rock-affected blocks. Central Queensland ridge blocks, coastal properties, and lifestyle acreage all benefit.
The technical detail — in plain English
Maxi Rib is a patented structural rib system built into the outside of the shell during manufacture. It gives the shell walls the additional compressive strength they need to sit above ground without needing to be fully backfilled on all sides. Traditional fibreglass shells rely on the pressure of surrounding soil to hold their shape — take that away and they can bow. Maxi Rib shells don't need that support. That lets us install any Compass shape (X-Trainer, Vogue, Sanctuary, Contemporary, Fastlane, Plunge) fully or partially above ground on sites where a standard in-ground install just isn't practical.
Maxi Rib installs across CQ
Above-ground installs are surprisingly common in our region. Yeppoon ridge blocks and the higher Capricorn Coast releases often have significant slope — full in-ground would mean serious cut-and-fill, retaining walls, and expensive engineering. A Maxi Rib partial above-ground install turns the same block from “difficult” to “practical” in one design decision.
The other CQ scenario where Maxi Rib matters: rock at depth. Some Rockhampton suburbs (particularly older Wandal, Berserker and Depot Hill) hit ironstone within a metre of the surface. Partial above-ground means we can dramatically reduce the amount of rock we need to break out — a saving that usually more than covers the Maxi Rib premium.
Every Compass shape is available with Maxi Rib. Same 25-year structural warranty. Common configuration is 40–60% below ground, 40–60% above, with retaining wall or decking wrapping the exposed side.
What Maxi Rib Above-Ground Means for Your Pool
The practical benefits — what changes for you as the owner across the life of your Compass pool.
Sloping Blocks Become Viable
Common on Yeppoon and Zilzie ridge sites, and much of the Callide Valley. Rather than cut and fill an enormous excavation, elevate the pool.
Rock No Longer Kills the Job
Some Rockhampton blocks hit ironstone within a metre. Partial above-ground dramatically reduces the amount of rock you have to break out.
Any Shape Available
X-Trainer, Vogue, Sanctuary, Contemporary, Fastlane and the Plunge range — every Compass shape can be built with Maxi Rib for above-ground installs.
Warranty Retained
The full 25-year structural warranty stays intact for above-ground installs. Maxi Rib is Compass's own patented technology, warranted by them.
Common in CQ
Yeppoon ridge blocks, Callide Valley lifestyle acreage, and inland CQ properties often need partial or full above-ground installs. Common quote in our region.
Design Feature
Some architects specifically want a raised pool as part of a landscape composition. Maxi Rib makes that structurally sound rather than a compromise.
How Maxi Rib compares
Compared to a fully in-ground install on a difficult site: dramatically lower excavation cost, no need to blast or break out rock, and faster overall build time. Compared to a competitor fibreglass shell installed above ground: retains full warranty (competitor shells often void their warranty above ground), and doesn't bow or flex under seasonal loading.
Maxi Rib Above-Ground in Real Installations
Selected images from Gen2 Pools installs featuring the Maxi Rib technology.
Related Compass Features
Every Compass pool comes with a full stack of engineering features. Here are the ones that pair most naturally with Maxi Rib.
Maxi Rib Above-Ground Questions — Answered
What CQ pool buyers most commonly ask us about Maxi Rib.
What kind of retaining structure do I need?
Above-ground installs need retaining structure of some kind — a retaining wall, decking, or landscape treatment that wraps the elevated portion of the shell. We coordinate this as part of the quote so you know the full picture upfront.
Does Maxi Rib cost more than a standard install?
The shell itself carries a premium for the Maxi Rib structure, but on the sites where you'd need it, the total-install cost is usually less than the alternative in-ground install (rock removal, deeper excavation, complex engineering). We compare both approaches on quote.
Can I do a partial above-ground install?
Yes — the most common Maxi Rib install in CQ is actually partial. The pool sits half-buried on the low side of a slope and half-exposed on the high side, with retaining or decking wrapping the exposed portion. Very common on Yeppoon ridge sites.
Which Compass shapes can be above-ground?
All of them. X-Trainer, Vogue, Sanctuary, Contemporary, Fastlane, and the full Plunge range are all available in Maxi Rib configuration.
Does above-ground affect the warranty?
No — Compass's 25-year structural warranty covers Maxi Rib above-ground installs. That's a real point of difference vs many competitor fibreglass pools where above-ground voids the shell warranty.
Can Vantage self-cleaning still work?
Yes — Vantage is fully compatible with above-ground Maxi Rib installs. The nozzles are in the pool floor regardless of whether the shell is buried or elevated.
Can any Compass shape go above-ground with Maxi Rib?
Most shapes can. The main constraints are shape geometry and depth — the Sanctuary, X-Trainer, Vogue and Contemporary are all Maxi Rib compatible. Slimline / Narrow variants may need additional engineering assessment for full above-ground installs.
Is an above-ground install cheaper than in-ground?
Not usually. You save on excavation but spend on retaining structure, decking and cladding. Above-ground installs are typically chosen for site reasons (sloping block, rock, high water table) rather than budget reasons.
Want Maxi Rib on your Compass pool?
Every Compass pool ordered through Gen2 Pools can be configured with the right feature stack for your site and family. Free on-site consultation, no pressure.