[SOLD] 1989 CS 36 Merlin - $36k - Stuart, FL - Cruising Equipped

[MondayNever]

Paradox, our 1989 Canadian Sailcraft Merlin 36, is for sale. My wife and I have come to the end of our Caribbean cruising journey, having covered thousands of miles and hundreds of islands between Grenada and the East Coast. She's been a fantastic vessel and home for the last year, but it's time for us to move on to the next adventure. We had never planned to keep her beyond the duration of the trip, but it's still hard to let go of our girl.

She's fast, solidly built, and extraordinarily comfortable for a boat of this size and age. She's rigged out with absolutely all the essential gear needed for cruising long distances, as evidenced by what we've done with her over the last year. She's truly ready to go and do it all over again.

$36k is a limited time price - we're giving it a shot to sell her ourselves in a very short period of time. We're offering her at such a low price because if we can sell her quickly, we can avoid the expense and effort of finding a broker, securing long term storage, insurance, etc. If we haven't attracted a serious offer by early August, however, we'll turn her over to a broker and raise the price significantly, so now's your opportunity to own a fantastic cruising boat at a bargain price.

Without further ado, on to the description of Paradox:

THE BASICS:

Location: Stuart, FL

Model: 1989 Canadian Sailcraft CS 36 Merlin
Type: Aft-cockpit sloop
Accomodation: 2 private double cabins, settee converts to double, 1 head
LOA: 36′
LWL: 29′
Draft: 5.2′
Beam: 11.5′
Weight: 13,000 lbs
Ballast: 6,000 lbs
Keel: Lead shoal-draft fin
Rudder: Skeg hung
Hull & Deck: Fiberglass
Engine: Yanmar 24hp 3GM30F (2001) inboard diesel with ~2200 hours
Fuel: 35 gallons, aluminum tank
Water: 130 gallons, 2 plastic tanks
Designer: Tony Castro
Flag: USA (duty paid)

THE THINGS THAT MAKE HER A GREAT CRUISING BOAT

• Exceptionally Comfortable and Spacious Layout – A big cockpit, two private cabins with double beds, large galley, and ample storage area set this design apart from most of its contemporaries. Cat and I spent hundreds of nights at anchor on Paradox and at least 75 of those were with friends onboard and never felt cramped and had room to stow all the necessary gear and provisions. Cruising is about being as comfortable as possible and this design delivers.
• Engine – Extremely reliable Yanmar 3GM30F diesel that cruises at 1/2 gallon per hour. She has never left us stranded. Excellent maintenance access on all sides. A big Racor 500 fuel filtration system keeps things running smoothly even in areas with dodgy diesel.
• Water – 130 gallons in two tanks- almost unheard of in a mid-30 foot sailboat. The two of us averaged 18 days between fill-ups.
• Power- Three 80 watt solar panels on stainless arch with MorningStar Pro-Star solar controller that charge four almost new (2015) Trojan 6v deep-cycle batteries. 450 amp-hours of storage at 12 volts.
• Navigation – Garmin 440s Charplotter at the helm loaded with all the charts for North America, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF with AIS receiver networked to chartplotter.
• Autopilots – Garmin GHP12 Autpilot system, new in 2013. Big, powerful, below deck unit. Also has Simrad WP30 Wheel Pilot as a backup. Both units have remote controls.
• Ground Tackle – Mantus 45lb anchor on 200 feet of 5/16″ chain with 1000-watt Anchorlift Electric Windlass. We never dragged an inch in 250+ nights at anchor even with the odd 40 knot squall. 35lb danforth on 200′ of rode as secondary anchor.
• Canvas- Full dodger, bimini, and center-connector for shade and rain/spray protection.
• Sails – Full battened three reef mainsail that stows in stackpack. Roller furling 110% and 135% genoas. All sail handling lines led aft.
• Dinghy and Outboard – 10′ Apex RIB dinghy with Tohatsu 9.9hp 4-stroke motor. The RIB is rough around the edges and requires a daily air pump, but she gets up on plane with 3 adults and is scary fast with 1 person.
• Stainless Dinghy Davits/Solar Arch
• Sugarscoop/Swim Step with Shower
• Refrigerator – The large top-loading fridge keeps things cool even in 90+ degree weather. Never go without cold beer.

PHOTO TOUR

Interior

The interior of this boat is what attracted us most to her. She has the spacious living area and private cabins of modern designs, but still has the beautiful woodwork and ample storage typical of classic vessels.

Saloon

The saloon is the heart of the boat. The rich teak cabinetry and beautiful teak and holly floor in combination with all the light that comes in through the massive windows make this the best spot in the house. Cabinets, bookshelves, and cubby holes galore. The dining table has two leaves that fold out of the way when not in use and doubles as a bar for 8 bottles of liquor or wine. Also makes for a good brace while moving around the saloon while rolling around in big seas. The starboard settee folds out into a double bed.

Nav Station

The nav station has a chart table to store those paper charts (that you’ll probably never use thanks to the chartplotter at the helm), all of the electrical switches and gauges, and a secondary VHF radio/AIS receiver.



Forward Cabin

The forward cabin has a large double bed that served as our “master bedroom.” Totally comfortable for a couple. Lots of storage in pockets along both sides, and a cabinet at the forward end. More storage areas are built in underneath the cushions. There is an insert at the center of the head of the bed can be removed to provide more room in the cabin or to divide the bed. The big hatch over the bed provides an excellent breeze and a fan above the nightstand provides backup on those calm nights. A large hanging locker in the hallway across from the head provides more storage.

Head

The head is… a head. All the usual things. Jabsco manual pump toilet, retractable shower head, teak grate over the sole, electric bilge pump, and plenty of storage in two medicine cabinets.

Galley

The galley is fantastic. Ample storage, a huge top-loading refrigerator that keeps a ton of food and beer ice cold, a Force 10 three burner stove/oven, twin sinks and plenty of counter space make this feel more like a real kitchen than a “galley.”

It is partially behind the companionway on the port side making it feel separate from the living area and is super functional both at anchor and while bashing around offshore. The cook is able to stand braced with his/her back against the bulkhead and feet below the oven while still having everything in reach.

[MondayNever]

Aft Cabin

Private cabin with a massive bed, two hanging lockers, and big storage areas along the side. This was our designated guest cabin/garage. In cooler climates this would be a great “master bedroom,” but in tropical heat we liked the strong breeze that flows through the v-berth.

Engine Room

In a boat of this size, engine access cannot be beat. The top, starboard and aft side of the engine are all wide open when you raise the engine housing in the aft cabin, making oil changes and engine checks a breeze. The forward side of the engine is accessed from a hatch behind the companionway and the port side is accessed from a hatch in the galley. Thick sound dampening material keeps her noise to a low rumble.

On Deck

The 11.5′ beam makes for wide sidedecks that are easy to move around on, even with jerry can stowed on deck.

The big Mantus anchor stows nicely on the bow roller and the electric windlass deposits the chain in the bow locker.

She has a roller furling genoa and a mainsail that drops nicely into a stack pack. All sail handling lines lead back to the four big Lewmar self-tailing winches in the cockpit. This meant that we were never forced to leave the cockpit in foul weather, which is probably the single greatest safety feature of this boat.

[MondayNever]

The cockpit is roomy and comfortable with closed cell foam cushions all around. A dodger, bimini, and center connector keep the cockpit shady and dry. The helm station has a massive destroyer wheel and all the electronics in easy reach.

The stainless arch over the stern supports the 3 80-watt solar panels and the dinghy davits.

The sugar scoop with swim ladder and shower is the perfect place to rinse off after a swim without having to track salt onto the boat. This turned out to be one of our favorite features on the boat.

The 10′ RIB dinghy is pretty rough, be she’s big and moves fast with the Tohatsu 9.9hp outboard. The davits make stowing her for passages a piece of cake.

Full Specification and Inventory:

DRIVETRAIN
⦁ Yanmar 3GM30F 3-cylinder inboard diesel engine with ~2200 hours (installed 2001)
⦁ Kanzaki KM3P transmission
⦁ JProp 3-blade feathering propeller
⦁ 2-blade fixed propeller (spare)
⦁ Racor 500 fuel filtration system
⦁ Rope cutter on shaft

SAILS & RIGGING
⦁ Haarstick Mainsail – 3 reefs and 3 full battens (fair to good)
⦁ Larsen 110% Genoa (very good)
⦁ Voile Sude 135% Genoa (very good)
⦁ Stackpack/sailbag with lazyjacks
⦁ Isomat aluminum mast – keel stepped
⦁ Harken Mainsheet Traveler – mounted on bridgedeck
⦁ Profurl C350 roller furling for genoa
⦁ (2) Lewmar #46 self-tailing, two-speed genoa winches
⦁ (2) Lewmar #43 self-tailing, two-speed halyard winches
⦁ (7) rope clutches on cabintop
⦁ Manual 4:1 boom vang
⦁ 316 Stainless steel wire rigging and swages (all replaced in 2009)

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION
⦁ Garmin 440s chartplotter with Airmar depthsounder
⦁ Garmin GHP12 below-deck autopilot with GHC10 display, Type 1 Linear Drive, and remote
⦁ Simrad WP30 wheel-mounted autopilot with remote (backup)
⦁ Standard Horizon GX2150 VHF radio w/ AIS receiver
⦁ Standard Horizon Eclipse DSC VHF radio – located at helm
⦁ Ritchie Galaxy Compass
⦁ Pioneer Stereo w/ CD and aux input and 2 JBL cockpit speakers and 2 PA salon speakers

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
⦁ 12-volt DC, 110-volt 30-amp AC
⦁ (4) Trojan T105 6-volt house batteries for 450 amp hours at 12v – new in 2015
⦁ Maxx GR24 engine start battery
⦁ (3) 80-watt Shell solar panels mounted on arch
⦁ Morning Star ProStar30 solar controller
⦁ Mastervolt PowerVolt 40-amp battery charger
⦁ Xantrex 1500-watt inverter
⦁ Rule 2000gph electric bilge pump
⦁ (2) 50-foot shore power cables
⦁ LED bow, stern, and anchor lights
⦁ LED interior lighting
⦁ (3) fans – v-berth, aft-berth, salon

GALLEY & WATER
⦁ Force 10 propane stove – 3 burners and oven
⦁ Large top opening fridge with 12-volt EZ Kold refrigerator system with air/water cooling plate and DB50 compressor
⦁ Top opening ice/storage box
⦁ Double stainless steel sinks
⦁ Pressurized fresh water system
⦁ Water heater via motor and 12V DC
⦁ Sylvania microwave
⦁ Bronze seacocks at all thru-hulls

HEAD
⦁ Jabsco manual head
⦁ Pressure water
⦁ Retractable shower head
⦁ Electric bilge pump to drain sole of head

DECK & HULL
⦁ Anchorlift Dolphin 1500-watt windlass w/ remote
⦁ Mantus 45lb anchor (2015)
⦁ 200′ of 5/16″ galvanized chain (2015)
⦁ Danforth 25lb backup anchor on 200′ nylon rode
⦁ Dual bow-rollers
⦁ Large top-opening chain-locker at bow
⦁ Stainless stern arch for for dinghy davits, solar panels, and antennas
⦁ Sunbrella Dodger and Bimini on stainless frames. Center connector that zips in place for total cockpit coverage.
⦁ Cockpit cushions – Grey mesh surface with closed-cell foam
⦁ (2) Sport-a-Seat multi-position canvas seats
⦁ Sugarscoop swimstep with hot/cold shower and ladder
⦁ Stainless propane BBQ grill
⦁ (2) Propane lockers – vented, with 10lb tanks (stove, bbq)
⦁ Lewmar hatches and portlights
⦁ Bug screens for all hatches
⦁ Anderson manual bilge pump at helm
⦁ Whitlock manual steering system
⦁ Large stainless wheel with rawhide cover
⦁ Interlux Interprotect barrier coat (5 coats) and Micron 66 antifoul (3 coats) – (Summer 2013 – due for a fresh coat of antifoul)
⦁ Emergency tiller
⦁ All USCG safety gear (life jackets, fire extinguishers, flares, etc)

Sale Price - $36,000

Email is Will at mondaynever dot com
Phone is (415)316-9418

[mfotis]

PM sent

[sailguy98245]

Nice looking boat and excellent write-up. It may be in here somewhere and I missed it, but what's the draft?

[robert sailor]

The CS Yachts are very well built boats not to be compared to your typical high production current offerings. These boats sail very well and are safe ocean going sailboats. This one, if in good shape, seems like a great deal for a couple. Years ago we put thousands of offshore miles on a CST 36 down south and Hawaii back to the west coast, great boats. Good luck in your sale!

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by sailguy98245

Nice looking boat and excellent write-up. It may be in here somewhere and I missed it, but what's the draft?

He lists it as 5' 2"

[Cadence]

Great presentation and the use of the fisheye lens. You would have me hooked if health would allow it. Best of luck with a quick sale.

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

The CS Yachts are very well built boats not to be compared to your typical high production current offerings. These boats sail very well and are safe ocean going sailboats. This one, if in good shape, seems like a great deal for a couple. Years ago we put thousands of offshore miles on a CST 36 down south and Hawaii back to the west coast, great boats. Good luck in your sale!

I agree this is a great sought after boat. Very well built and fast. If in good shape the asking price is bargain.

[clearsurf2001]

Shown in first post of this thread ... Draft: 5.2′

[notiesbob]

Excellent write up and great photos, clearly well loved and maintained. Too bad more brokers don't take your approach on presentation to get their clients boats successfully sold. Nice that it's been repowered, but hours still getting up there. Quality boat for sure with a good following.

I brokered boats out of Lake Ontario, getting out in '94 after 22 years in the industry. Using 4-5 rolls of film (hey, it was the 90's) by courier to co-operating brokers on both coasts and US we managed to sell CS, C&C, Nonsuch & trawlers to buyers that didn't need to fly in to see what they were getting. Photos always showed the good, the bad and the ugly. I'd personnal pack the boat for shipping once on the truck and the broker on other end would receive boat days in advance of buyer's expected arrival, giving broker sufficient time to off load, detail and trouble shoot all systems before calling the buyer to say - "guess what, your boat has arrived". Buyer arrived expecting it to be on the truck, finding it launched and loaded instead.

Best of luck on the sale!

[CS Cruiser]

Great presentation of a great boat! Should have no trouble selling her at that price, all the best.

[Outlaw7]

My wife and I have enjoyed your videos and are sad to sewe them end. Good Luck on selling your boat. We live in Fort Pierce and if you need anything PM me and we will give you a hand.

Steve and Mary Brigham
S/V Once Again
S/V Bonaventure

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Great presentation and the use of the fisheye lens. You would have me hooked if health would allow it. Best of luck with a quick sale.

Just a PS. You should be or could teach a bunch of brokers how to present a boat.

[MondayNever]

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the kind comments.

The amount of seriously interested people that have contacted me in the 6 hours since I posted this is really blowing my mind.

And as for presentation, I give Pat from Bumfuzzle full credit for that. He's sold his boats and RVs ridiculously quickly and he attributes it to taking great photos and pricing them like he actually wanted to sell them. When I read that, I knew what needed to be done. Solid advice!