1988 CS 36 Merlin

Layout

Entering from the cockpit through the companionway, the vessel opens into a thoughtfully arranged main salon finished in attractive teak-faced cabinetry, bulkheads, and trim, complemented by teak-and-ash cabin sole flooring. The arrangement balances comfort and functionality while maintaining excellent access throughout the vessel.

Forward is a spacious V-berth stateroom with generous sleeping accommodations, overhead hatch ventilation, storage lockers, and easy access to the head compartment. A hanging locker is located aft of the berth to port.

The enclosed head is situated to starboard and features a marine toilet, sink, shower facilities, hot and cold pressure water, and privacy for owners and guests.

The main salon features:

• Port-side straight settee

• Starboard L-shaped convertible dinette/settee

• Teak-faced cabinetry and storage lockers

• Teak grab rails throughout

• Excellent natural lighting and ventilation

• Comfortable social space for entertaining or extended cruising

• Upholstery is in great condition

Sleeping arrangements

A dedicated navigation station is positioned aft within the salon, providing a central location for voyage planning, communications, and monitoring vessel systems

A private aft stateroom is located to starboard and provides a comfortable double berth, excellent privacy, and abundant storage for extended cruising.

Cockpit

The cockpit is spacious, secure, and designed for both sailing performance and cruising comfort. High molded coamings provide excellent support and protection while underway. Features include:

• Pedestal steering

• Wheel helm

• Engine controls mounted at helm

• Integrated seating around cockpit

• Canvas spray dodger (2018)

• Bimini top

• Cockpit-controlled windlass remote

• Powered primary winches

• Stern outboard hoist

• Walk-through stern access

The cockpit arrangement allows easy line handling while maintaining comfortable seating for crew and guests.

MINNEDOSA is equipped for comfortable cruising and liveaboard use with a complete galley, pressure water system, hot water, refrigeration, cabin heating, shower facilities, and LPG cooking systems.

Galley Equipment

Force 10 Three-Burner LPG Stove and Oven

The galley features a gimballed Force 10 three-burner propane stove with oven, allowing safe meal preparation whether underway or at anchor.

• Gimballed design for offshore cooking

• Large oven for baking

• Reliable LPG fuel system

• Proven marine-grade construction

Refrigeration and Freezer

A 12-volt compressor-driven refrigeration/freezer system provides efficient food storage for extended cruising.

• Low energy consumption

• Dedicated refrigeration and freezer capability

• Supports long-range cruising and anchoring

Microwave

• Household 120VAC microwave oven

Provides convenient food preparation while connected to shore power.

BBQ

• Rail-mounted LPG barbecue

Ideal for cockpit entertaining and anchorage cooking.

Water and Hot Water Systems

The vessel features:

• Pressure hot and cold water system

• Galley sink

• Head sink

• Integrated shower

• 120VAC water heater

• Engine heat-exchanger water-heating loop (“engine bus” system)

• Hydronic heater is plumbed into hot water system

Benefits include continuous hot water both at the dock and while motoring.

Heating System

A hydronic diesel furnace supplies heat through bus-style cabin heaters throughout the vessel. It is plumbed into the hot water system but not used. Newer furnace.

Benefits include:

• Dry, comfortable cabin heat

• Excellent cold-weather cruising capability

• Efficient diesel-fired operation

• Ideal for Pacific Northwest conditions

• Low electric draw

Head System

The enclosed marine head compartment includes:

• Manual marine toilet

• Sink with pressure hot and cold water

• Shower facility

• Approximate 25-gallon stainless holding tank

Designed to provide practical onboard comfort for crew and guests during extended cruising.

The electrical system has received meaningful upgrades and includes shore power, inverter capability, smart charging systems, solar charging, alternator charging, galvanic isolation, and multiple dedicated battery banks. This provides excellent offshore redundancy and anchoring independence.

Battery Banks

Battery configuration includes:

• House Bank: 2 × Group 27 12V battery

• Engine Start Battery: 1 × Group 27 12V battery

• Refrigeration/Winches/Furnace Bank: 2 × Group 27 12V batteries

• Windlass/Mascerator Battery: 1 × Group 27 12V battery

Total: 6 batteries.

Shore Power Charging

Victron Energy 3-Bank Charger

Features:

• 50-amp charging capacity

• Multi-bank battery management

• Automatic charging operation

• Fast battery recovery

• Proper battery maintenance

• Reliable dockside charging

Solar Charging

Victron Energy MPPT Solar Controller

Supporting:

• 100-watt solar panel

• Silent renewable charging

• Reduced engine runtime

• Extended anchoring capability

• High-efficiency MPPT technology

Engine Charging

Charging underway is provided through:

• 150-amp alternator

• Multi-step voltage regulator

This system helps maximize battery charging efficiency while under power.

Inverter

Renogy 1000W Inverter

Provides:

• 120VAC power from onboard batteries

• Independent operation

Electrical Protection

Complete bonding system upgrade in 2026

• Breaker-protected AC circuits

• Breaker/fuse protected DC circuits

• Properly rated battery selector switches

• Ignition-protected equipment

• Galvanic isolator on shore power system

MINNEDOSA is equipped with a capable offshore and coastal navigation package featuring radar, autopilot, chartplotter, depth instruments, wind instruments, VHF communications, and integrated sailing instrumentation.

Compass

Galaxy 6-Inch Compass

• Pedestal-mounted magnetic compass

• Primary navigation reference

Chartplotter / GPS

Standard Horizon GPSMap Chartplotter

Provides:

• GPS positioning

• Electronic chart navigation

• Route planning capability

Autopilot

Simrad Autopilot

Features:

• Color display

• Automatic steering control

• Reduced helm fatigue on passages

Radar

Furuno Radar

Features:

• Radar transceiver

• CRT radar display

Provides safe navigation during reduced visibility and coastal cruising.

Depth and Speed Instruments

B&G Hydra 2000 System

Provides:

• Depth sounding

• Boatspeed

• Multifunction data display

Benefits include highly accurate sailing performance information.

Wind Instrumentation

B&G Hydra 2000

Brookes & Gatehouse Direction Display

Provides:

• Wind speed information

• Wind direction data

• Enhanced sail trim capability

Communications

Icom M502 Fixed-Mount VHF

Includes cockpit remote station.

The anchoring system is well suited to cruising with substantial chain rode, secondary nylon rode, powered windlass operation, and proven anchor selections for a variety of bottom conditions.

Windlass

Lofrans 12V Windlass

Features:

• Electric operation

• Cockpit remote control

Benefits:

• Safe anchor deployment and retrieval

• Reduced physical effort

• Convenient single-handed operation

Primary Ground Tackle

35 lb CQR Anchor

Supported by:

• 125 ft of 3/8-inch galvanized chain

• 200 ft of 3/4-inch three-strand nylon rode

This combination offers excellent holding versatility for Pacific Northwest cruising grounds.

Secondary Anchor

25 lb Danforth Anchor

Provides additional anchoring flexibility and emergency backup capability

MINNEDOSA is powered by the highly regarded Volvo Penta 2003T turbo-diesel, offering reliable performance, efficient fuel consumption, and excellent serviceability. Supporting systems include fresh-water cooling and upgraded charging capacity.

Engine

Volvo Penta 2003T Turbo Diesel

Specifications:

• Three-cylinder turbocharged diesel

• Approx. 43 HP

• Fresh-water cooled via heat exchanger

• Keyed-hour meter: 2,754 hours

• Volvo Penta reduction gear

• Gear ratio: 2.37:1

• Sea strainer equipped

• Fuel/water separator with sediment bowl

• Proven cruising reliability

• Excellent fuel economy

• Strong low-end torque

• Efficient auxiliary propulsion cruises at 2 litres per hour.

• Volvo-Penta MS2B Marine Gear

Propeller

• 18” x 15”

• Two-blade fixed bronze

• Left-hand rotation

• Spare propeller included

The rig is configured for efficient short-handed cruising and performance sailing, featuring rod standing rigging, roller furling, electric primary winches, quality Lewmar deck hardware, and relatively recent sail inventory updates. All lines, including the car adjuster, are run to the cockpit.

Sail Inventory

Mainsail

• Replaced in 2015

• Full battens

• Excellent condition

• Newer stack-pack sail handling system

Headsail

• Replaced in 2017

• Excellent condition

Cruising Chute

• Minimal use in excellent condition

• Has sock for easy deployment and dousing

Mast and Spars

• Keel-stepped aluminum mast

• Double spreaders

• Anodized aluminum construction

• Aluminum boom

• Secure gooseneck and vang fittings

Standing Rigging

• Stainless steel rod rigging

• Bronze turnbuckles

• Internal chainplates

• External backstay chainplate

Headsail Furler

• Roller furling system allows efficient sail reduction and easy deployment for short-handed crews.

Winches

Lewmar #46 Self-Tailing Primary Winches

• Electric 12V powered

• Port and starboard cockpit mounted

Lewmar #43 Self-Tailing Secondary Winches

• Mounted on cabin top

• Paired with rope clutches

These systems provide effortless sail handling and excellent control during performance sailing or cruising