DATES AND ITINERARY

Indonesia, Sail and surf Mentawai Islands, Sumatra. April - July 2010

We are heading to the best surf location on the globe and will be here for 8 - 12 weeks, getting to know all the breaks in the area. Starting from Bali and sailing north, Java, Panaitan, Mentawais, Nias, Aceh, stopping at all the best breaks Indonesia has to offer.

The offshore islands of west Sumatra are one of the last real surf exploration frontiers left on the planet. And probably feature the best and most consistent surf in the world. This makes for a surfing experience that doens't get any better. Here you'll find world class perfect waves breaking into clearwater bays, backed by white beaches and virgin rainforests.

The best thing about it is, that the islands are mostly unaccessible. This feature keeps the crowds away and has reserved this place over 20 years of surf exploring as a place for the few die hard surf explorers who will go to extensive lengths to get there. This makes it a perfect place to explore by yacht! It has taken me 20 years to finally realise a dream I had when I sat out on a local ferry to Nias in 1990. I wanted to check out all the other islands, and on my own boat.

At some of the better known spots, where the surf charter boats go on ten day trips, the surf can get crowded. So with a month minimal boat travel time, you have more time than the other boats to find uncrowded waves.

The idea is we sail from Bali in April, heading to Panaitan, after that up to the Mentawais, make our way up the chain and then onto Nias and Aceh. Slowly moving up north checking out potential amongst the many reefs, islands and bays along the way. We have many marks on our charts from other sailors who have pointed out breaks and anchorages, and the sails are relatively short between each area.

When we find some really good waves we would stay a bit longer than just one or two sessions to get to know the wave and start pushing our own limits. To me it's not so much about riding as many different waves up there as possible, but more about finding a few really good waves and getting familiar with them on different tides and where the sections are.

A typical day would start early with a morning surf, than return to the main boat for breakfast and a rest. Than an afternoon surf when everyone is ready again. We anchor the main boat at a safe spot and take the dinghy out to the surf. So we always have a crash boat near by adding to safety.

Imagine perfect barrels in crystal clear water, breaking over a virgin undamaged and unfished reef. With only you and 3 others from the same yacht in the water. Never any wind, because the Mentawai islands lay smack on the equator. The water warm and the sky clear and turtles swimming around you. The waves range from head high to a bit over head, (sometimes bigger), completely glassy, green walls, easy to surf because they are so perfect, always breaking in the same spot, totally predictable with long 16 second plus intervals between them as a rule.

Imagine all that! That's what kept me going in realising my dream of one day sailing my own yacht here.

If you are a serious surfer, with a couple of years of regular wave riding behind you, and you always wanted to ride the real empty indo perfection than you could be the sort of person we are looking for. Not a beginner, but if you can catch real waves, get up and ride, this should be a great opportunity to improve your surfing tremendously, cause if you have the paddle fitness and the basic ability these wave are generally very easy to surf.

We are looking for 3 maybe 4 dedicated surfers to join us for 4 - 8 weeks in the Mentawai/Sumatra area. Email us as soon as possible if you want to join!!! We plan to leave Bali for Java early April, and be in the Mentawais around early May 2010, spending the next 2 -3 months in this area.

CREW PROFILE

Firstly, you don't need to have any previous sailing experience to come on this trip. We will teach you everything you need to learn, and you can learn as little or as much as you like. To get the most out of the experience, we like to encourage people to take an active role in all aspects of the lifestyle - from sail handling, anchoring and navigating, to catching and preparing fish and baking bread in the morning.

The most important qualities that we are looking for in people are those who are adventurous, fun-loving, and above all, easy-going. When you step on the boat you are entering another reality; a completely different lifestyle full of challenges, possibilites and new experiences. You need to be able to adapt and have an open attitude towards new people and situations and to really enjoy life! And in return we can promise you the adventure of a lifetime!

LIFE ON BOARD

Lifting anchor, hoisting the sails, watching dolphins and turtles swim past, exploring deserted islands, caves and waterfalls, meeting with village chiefs, playing guitar with the locals, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, kitesurfing, hiking, parties and barbeques on the beach, line fishing, spearfishing, having the time to relax, to read, to let your imagination wander as the sun sets - this is all part of what daily life aboard 'Moet' consists of.

Cruising life is a healthy, active and simple life. It can also be exhausting and frustrating at times - some days you'll find yourself battling fierce headwinds or violent squalls, and the weather won't always allow you to go where you want. This is all part of the challenge of sailing, and adds to the adventure.

Your morning bath is a refreshing dive straight from your bunk into the warm tropical waters, full of stunning marine life. The food you eat is fresh from the local gardens; pineapples, papayas, bananas, yams, sweet potatoes, coconuts; or your own catch of the day, supplemented from the ships stores, rice, pasta, etc. We make bread or cakes a couple of times a week, and there may be opportunities to sample the local food on shore and to have barbeques on the beach. With Dylan and a small baby on board, our days tend to start early, but there is often a chance for an afternoon seista!

Sailing days are every few days - we like to hang out in a place awhile before moving on. After breakfast you've pulled up the anchor, hoisted the sails and set the course, with the smell of coffee rising up the companionway. Once sailing, you relax into the groove of the sea; with a book on the forepeak, lounging in the sun playing guitar, or behind the wheel steering a course to the next island.

Arriving after an exhilerating passage to a quiet, tropical anchorage is one of the most satisfying things in the world. The boat stops moving, the sails come down, the anchor rattles to the ground. A new shore to epxlore awaits. Some go to shore, some go for a snorkel or a swim or to fish, others simply relax. After a good days sailing, watching the sun go down over a tranquil lagoon, it is time for dinner, good company and an enjoyable evening. You'll sleep soundly to awaken for another day in paradise.

THE BOAT

'Moet' is a New Zealand designed and built boat and is 39ft in length. She was built in 1976 and although she had a few owners before us we were the first people to take her offshore.

She has room to sleep 6 adults (the 2 boys sleep up front with us) - there are 4 single berths and 1 double. Therefore the maximum crew we can take is 4. 'Moet' is not a luxury yacht; there is no fridge or fresh water shower, but she is comfortable and homely. She has an open plan design; there are no doors or private cabins, so living space is very communal. There is a good sized galley (ships kitchen) with oven / grill / hobs, and a head (ships toilet). There are also 2 small sofas, and plenty of deckspace, which is where we spend much of our time.

COSTS

1600 GBP per person, per month, all inclusive, for Indonesia surf trip.

Costs are for: food and board (not alcohol), plus the boat and all that comes with it. This goes towards daily living costs, mooring fees, custom fees, boat fuel, running maintainence costs and equipment and preparations. You can use some of our equipment on board - speargun and fishing equipment, surfboard, skurfboard, bodyboard, windsurfer (it's not a beginners one though!), 2m training kite, kiteboard, guitars, harmonicas. Bring your own instruments too if you play, and bring surfboards, kite equipment, there's room for a lot of gear on deck! 'Moet' also has a good selection of books - sailing stories and theory, novels and non-fiction. Bring your i-Pods too, we have cables to connect to our stereo. And of course, the cost includes what is priceless, the experience of sailing around some of the world's most beautiful islands, only accessible by private yacht.

Not included -

- flight tickets
- transfer costs between airport and yacht
- any transport costs outside the yacht
- visas / entry permits
- alcohol
- restaurant / bar expenses
- activities outside the yacht (eg. diving, admission charges for events etc)

Boats and the cruising life are obviously very expensive. To get to do this takes many years of hard work labouring on the boat, plus all our time and money. We want to be able to share our lifestyle with other adventurous, like minded individuals, and we try to keep the costs to participate relatively low. In this way we hope to make it affordable for as many people as possible. It is a non-profit initiative, the costs are reflective of the high costs of maintaining a sailing yacht, and all the trip costs goes either into the trip itself or into the annual maintenance costs of the boat.

CONTACT

If you want to join us for either of these trips, email us: fransandsylvia@hotmail.com We have infrequent email access, but will reply as soon as we can.
Spaces are limited, so be quick!!