⛵ Rancho Relaxo — 1985 Hunter 40 Sailing Yacht
Location: Langkawi, Malaysia
Price: USD 69,500
Flag: Australian Registered (#857678)
Builder: Hunter Marine (USA)
Designer: Cortland Steck
🌊 Overview
Rancho Relaxo is a 1985 Hunter 40 masthead sloop, well known for its blend of solid American construction, performance under sail, and generous interior volume. Built in GRP with a long-chord cast-iron fin keel and spade rudder, this model delivers both stability and agility, making it equally at home on ocean passages or relaxed coastal cruising.
Purchased in San Diego in 2004, Rancho Relaxo was sailed across the Pacific to Australia, where GST was paid in 2005. She has been owned and lived aboard by the same couple ever since, now berthed in Langkawi, Malaysia, and includes a freehold swing mooring in the entrance basin of Telaga Harbour Marina—a rare and valuable inclusion.
She is a quick, responsive and easily handled cruiser, with continual maintenance and recent upgrades including new standing rigging (July 2024).
⚙️ Specifications
Year Built 1985
Builder Hunter Marine (USA)
Designer Cortland Steck
Hull Type Fin keel (long chord cast iron) / spade rudder
Construction GRP fibreglass
Rig Type Masthead sloop
Length Overall (LOA) 12.06 m
Length Waterline (LWL) 9.91 m
Beam 4.09 m
Draft 1.98 m
Displacement 7,893 kg
Ballast 3,583 kg
Engine Yanmar 4JHE 44 hp diesel
Fuel Capacity ≈ 151 L
Water Capacity ≈ 700 L
🏠 Accommodation & Interior
Rancho Relaxo features the desirable two-cabin / two-head layout providing comfort and privacy for long-term cruising.
Forward cabin: V-berth with a compact en-suite head to starboard
Aft cabin: Queen-size island berth with innerspring mattress and a large head to port (accessible from both the aft cabin and salon for dual entry)
Salon: Spacious, airy main saloon with an L-shaped settee to starboard, straight settee/sea berth to port, and a large drop-leaf dining table on the compression post. Each settee adds another berth, bringing the total number of berths to 6
Chart table: Aft-facing navigation station to port with ample storage
Galley: L-shaped to starboard with:
Twin stainless-steel sinks and ample handholds
Princess 3-burner gas stove + oven
120 VAC microwave (inverter powered)
Large top-loading refrigerator (makes ice cubes)
Front-opening drinks fridge (disabled but intact)
Two BD-35 air-cooled compressors with digital controller
Additional AC/DC chest refrigerator / freezer in aft cabin
Thoughtfully designed handholds, fiddle rails, cupboards, and drawers throughout enhance practicality underway.
⚡ Electrical & Power Systems
DC System
2 × 370 W Canadian Solar panels (740 W total) with SRNE 40 A MPPT controller and external monitor
Air X 400 W wind generator (wiring and breaker in place)
2 × 200 Ah LiFePO₄ house batteries with T-class fuses
Sealed lead-acid engine start battery
Heart Interface monitor (volts, amps in/out, inverter status)
100 A Balmar alternator with Heart interface regulator and temp sensors
28 DC breakers and two 12 V outlets with dual USB charging ports
Full LED interior, navigation and masthead tri-colour lights
LG 22″ TV / DVD and CD stereo with 4 speakers
AC System
Original 120 VAC wiring (over-spec for 240 V use)
Pro Mariner 40 A multi-voltage charger (90–270 V input)
Heart Interface 2000 W inverter wired to ship’s AC outlets with breaker groups (Port, Starboard, Aft + hot water)
2000 W voltage transformer and additional 1000 W 240 V inverter
System designed for self-sufficient off-grid operation — no shore power or engine charging since 2019 upgrades
⚙️ Engine & Mechanical
Yanmar 4JHE 44 hp diesel, bronze shaft and 2-blade fixed bronze prop
Bronze P-strut and through-hulls for electrolysis protection
2,244 engine hours
Cutlass bearing replaced ≈ 30 hours ago
Regular oil changes every ~100 hours with service records since 2004
New alternator, starter motor, mixing elbow, fuel lift pump and exhaust hose
Perspex-covered Type B2 engine panel with tachometer and alarms
🧭 Electronics & Navigation
Em-trak AIS with dedicated antenna
Lowrance Hook 7 chart plotter and sonar
Raymarine pilot with new Octopus electric hydraulic linear drive (primary)
Raymarine ST4000 wheel pilot (backup)
Raymarine I60 Tridata instrument
Standard Horizon VHF and Uniden handheld VHF
EPIRB (onboard, battery expired)
Radar mount and cables installed for Simrad / B&G upgrade
⛵ Deck Gear & Canvas
Spinnaker pole with mast track and adjustable storage
Solid boom vang with cockpit adjustment
7 Maxwell self-tailing winches
Recessed genoa tracks and open aluminium toe rail with quick-draining design
Dodger and bimini in good condition
Bow and boom tents
🔧 Recent Maintenance Highlights
New standing rigging – July 2024
Cutlass bearing replacement (30 hours ago)
Engine and electrical system upgrades 2023–2024
Self-sufficient power system since 2019
Extensive ownership and maintenance records since 2004
🌴 Included with Sale
Freehold swing mooring at Telaga Harbour Marina
Comprehensive spare parts inventory (including original engine hoses and wind generator blades)
Manuals and service records
🌅 Summary
Rancho Relaxo is a well-equipped, proven Hunter 40 cruiser—meticulously maintained by long-term live-aboard owners. With her upgraded rigging, self-sustaining power systems, reliable Yanmar diesel, and comfortable layout, she is ready to cruise Southeast Asia or beyond.
Offered at USD 69,500, this is an exceptional opportunity to own a turn-key offshore-capable yacht with freehold mooring rights in one of the region’s best sailing locations.