Crew Wanted: Surfing Cruise - Sumatra, Banyak, Nias, Telos

[surfmachine]

Surfing crew to share expenses for up to 5 months sailing/surfing adventure aboard safe and beautiful 40' aluminium sloop, Surfmachine. Join 61 yo captain Keith on his third trip to Sumatra, depart Langkawi(Malaysia), June first, 2012 arrive in Sumatra 3 days later, then 4 days to the islands offshore the West coast of Sumatra. Return to Langkawi in October 2012. Time mostly spent at anchor in bays just surfing/fishing/diving/socialising, monthly sail to mainland Sumatra for visa and provisions.
surfmachine-surfmachine.blogspot.com.au/
photobucket.com/eloise_01

[Ricardo1709]

Hi Kieth,my name is Richard and I am really interested in joining you for a Sumatran surfari,Ive surfed the mentawais in 2006 staying at Macaronis resort and would love to get over there again,if you could give me details as to cost sharing and number on board etc that would be great,I love boats and would have no problem helping out with sailing, maintenance, cleaning,cooking etc,sounds awesome.Hope to hear from you soon.
Cheers,
Richard McClelland

[surfmachine]

Ahoy Richard.
Cost is $1000 aud , up front, by paypal, for the first month. After first month only 50 % of the expenditure on restocking food and fuel. First month is more because the yacht is completely stocked with food from Malaysia and full of fuel, gas and kero for the stove. Also, to keep the dreamers and free loaders away?
Works out really cheap over the 5 months.
Room for 4 more boards on the surf racks under the solar panels.
Please private message me and send me your email and I can send heaps more information if you are still interested?
All the best from Keith.

[Ricardo1709]

Hey Kieth,
couldnt pm you as they said new members cant send links till they are trusted members,not sure what thats all about,ill try again anyway.cheers

[surfmachine]

Estimate of costs ex Melbourne, Australia, includine air fares, travel insurance and visa/cruising permit/security clearances from federal Indonesian government.
Maybe $2500 to $2800 total from Melboune return?
Mate, it will cost u air fares to KL and onto Langkawi and return flights from Sibolga on Sumatra, fly to Medan, then KL then melbourne with air asia, with 2 boards, maybe $700 total? You need some travel insurance from worlds nomads, cheap for 2 or 3 months, maybe $200 aud?
Cost on the yacht is "free", only pay for food to keep you alive and half share of the diesel and bribes for indo's.

A little bit, about 180 usd for your security clearance from the federal indo government to be able to cruise in indo waters aboard the surfmachine and for your social visa and indo sponsor,

Up front cost for first month is $1000 aud, payable by paypal, for a single crew member, after that only 50 % of share of buying more food and diesel, cheaper than living at home in Melbourne? At least $300 aud per month after first month? I really only need a single crew, but we could work it out, you would need to share a double cabin in the forward berth, or there is another single cabin, for crew, amidships.

It is not all palm trees and right hand barrels, with topless girls aboard and cold beers, it's hard work sailing there, preparing the yacht.... which I do, often hot and sweaty, cook all your own food, do washing, clean up etc. Surfing up to 10 hrs a day in the tropical sun can be hard, normally 2 or 3 sessions a day, every day, never seen it flat up there in mid season! Then you have to prepare some meals, clean up, fix dings in the board, treat your coral cuts! Lotsa close out barrels over live coral, scary! Need good booties and full arm rashees, I wear a helmet.

It is a smoke and alcohol free yacht, strictly!!!!

If you can deal with all this, plus living in close proximity to a smelly captain, all day, every day, no people on the islands, 24 hours offshore from Sumatra, then it is a blissful existence, absolutely wonderful? Normally 2 charter boats in the vicinity and several private yachts, about 2 to 10 people in the line up.



Below is the standard reply to enquiries....


Yes, I do want a crew member aboard Surfmachine, for about 5 months, for
the 2012 trip. I do not leave in 2012 until May, the yacht is now on the
hard stand in Langkawi. Mainly to help sail the yacht from Langkawi to the
Banyak Islands on the West coast of Sumatra. And then to get the yacht
back to Langkawi, a trip of about 7 to 10 days each way. A month minimum
would be good, the full trip even better, if we get on ok?
Once in the islands I anchor in a bay for 1 to 2 months at a time and surf
all day. I only make passages to move to another island or bay or go into
Sumatra to get a visa extension and re provision for food and fuel. About
2 months initially, then every month after that.
The trip is not free, as once we have got there all we do is surf all day
and sleep and eat. It is not a charter boat, but as I want, rather than need
a crew I am asking them to pay for their food and fuel. The first month I ask
for $1000 AUD and do not pretend that the costs for food an fuel for the first month will be $2000
total. It is like an entry money to the yacht and the use of all the systems aboard,
however, most of it will be spent, as it is a long way from Malaysia to the Banyaks!
I have decided that the cost is $1000 aussie dollars up front for the first
month, to keep the dreamers and free loaders away? I am not selling
you anything, just the opportunity to share in the voyage. After 1
month has gone, then 50% share of food and fuel and bribes after that first month,
maybe 300 to 500 dollars per month each, depnds how much we
move. The yacht is very safe and comfortable, great place to live if you
enjoy boating? The cost of $1000, up front, is refundable in the first week
if you dont like it, after that....... non refundable, payable by pay pal
on invoice. Monthly expenses after 1 month we each put $300 Aussie dollars in
local currency, rupiahs, into a jar and use that to buy food and fuel only.


I am responsible for all the boat maintenance and all associated costs.
You dont need any experience, I will teach you all the skills, you must have a
good sense of humour, be non judgemental, happy, friendly and ready to rough
it!
It is not a charter boat and you have to do everything for yourself, we
share the cooking on alternate days. You must enjoy sailing and being
cooped up in a hot, small boat for months on end, often raining and sweaty!!
Anyway, if you are keen, we need to talk some more? How tall are you and
how much do you weigh? Please send a photo.
Lots more info available. You get your own double cabin, with a door and
two led lights, fan, 12V outlet and cupboards! There is storage in overhead
racks for 4 more surf boards.
Food on the yacht is basic, or as good as you want to cook, banana porridge for
brekky, no lunch, just snacks as surfing, dinner is pasta or rice and stir fried veges in olive
oil, lots of fresh bread if someone can bake it and is not too tired from
surfing. Also home made ice cream, the boat is smoke and alcohol free.
Crew's responsibilities are to keep the dingy dry and full l of fuel, clean
the galley every day and keep the stove topped up with kero and take
watches as determined by the skipper when under way. To be friendly and cheerful
and not drop in on the skipper! It is hot and stuffy aboard and always rains
at night and sometimes dingy is half full of water, a smallish yacht, about
40', but has separate cabins with doors, lovely saloon and cockpit, really
well set up. One day a week is a make and mend day, when we work on the
yacht, clean the hull etc.
Costs. Well, what do you eat? If you live on rice and dive for fish, then
maybe $5 a week, Realistically, around 50 usd per week at anchor, minimum,
when we are moving we burn fuel, so about 250 usd per week per person, dont
need to run the motor at anchor as solar panels and wind genny pumps
in the amps, I also have a gen set, honda 1kilowatt.
Yacht will be fully stocked with fuel and food when I start, so
to come aboard would cost about $1000 usd, this will see you right for the first
month, includes entry money to the yacht until we need more, when we start
sharing the costs for food and fuel we purchase when the initial stock is reduced.
I return to sibolga, on the sumatran mainland, three times for re
provisioning and to renew my visa.
Oh, and there is a 18,000,000 rupiah , $180 usd, charge to get you a security
clearance from the federal indoneasian govt' on the boats cruising
permit and set up the sponsor for a 6 months social visa for indo..
You would also need to apply for a social visa at your indo
embassy/consulate in Australia to get a 60 day visa on arrival in
indo. I have a sponsored visa, which enables a 60 day on arrival and
4 X 30 day extensions, you could get one of these from my agent in Jakarta, along
with me, over the internet and visit penang to get the visa. We check out
of indonesia after 60 days, or longer, and take 6 weeks to get back to
Malaysia, but staying in indo offshore islands where there are no
officials.

As to the condition of the yacht and recent maintenance?
Well, it was on the hard stand for 2011, feb/march and major work was done.
new dripless shaft seal
new alternater, plus spare
new smart voltage regulator
new fresh water pump on motor
replaced new impeller in water pump">raw water pump
starter motor overhauled
fuel injectors serviced and calibrated
new diaphragm in fuel injector pump
oil and filter changed
new air filter houseing and element
new dripless seal on rudder shaft
all new zincs on hull/prop/rudder
hull sanded back and outifouled
some corrosion inside hull welded and cleaned
new stainless steel davits for dingy and surf board racks and safety rails
redid all the fresh water plumbing and installed manual sea water pump to
galley.
serviced kero stove and replaced 2 burners
replaced all nav lights with led's and all inetrior lights with led's
installed new raymarine st700 autopilot at helm and new 300 kilo push
linear drive directly to the rudder ahft with x10 course computer, and
new rudder bump stops all on massive stainless stell frame, under aft
bunk
Replaced all suspect through hull clamps and made sure all double clamped.
installed dvd music player and boom box speakers in saloon, linked via
bluetooth to phone and remote speakers.
installed new xantex linkpro battery monitor system
installed new a50 raymarine chart plotter in cockpi, linked to
autohelm, can control the helm from the chartplotter.
Installed new forward looking sonar, interphase in cockpit.
installed data repeater for all instruments in nav station
installed new chartplotter over aft bunk to monitor course/speed etc,
also as an anchor watch alarm for when sleeping at anchor
reconditioned loffrans anchor windlass, 1500 watt, with 90m of 10 mm
stainless steel chain and 30kilo buegel anchor, new s/steel hawse
pipe.
Had new radar 9 months ago, furuno.
Sails are all 1 year old.
Standing rigging is 4 years old, replaced in new zealand
Had mercedes diesel mechanic check over engine, gave compression test,
old, but running well, smokes a bit, uses oil. May fit new pistons and
liners before I leave in May? Otherwise good, new exhaust mixer elbow,
serviced flexible coupling to prop.
Removed prop shaft and welded minor pitting, polished, checked
alignment, new cutlass bearing and grub screws on proprellor.

Re-glued the dingy, an aluminium hulled NZ dingy with inflatable sides.
Serviced the 2hp and 8 hp motors and spare inflatable dingy.
Got 4 scuba tanks and 3 bcd's and 3 octopuses serviced and certified,
tested in Thailand.
In short, a lot of time and money and effort went into her, I bought
he off of a german couple who have sailed her here from Germany via
the pacific.
has a pur water maker, 240v air compressor hooked up to 20 metres
of hose and a dive regulator as well.
Has a spare rear anchor ready to go on the stern and a spare 25kg bruce
anchor.
Has a 4 man life raft, flares, harnesses, jack lines, personal epirb,
2 portable vhf's, HF radio, vhf with dsc, cebtre cockpit, all sail
handling at mast, except jib, cutter rigged with removable fore stay
and storm sails.
Does not leak, can sleep sound and dry with 6 fans. 3 sleeping cabins.
etc etc, a very well maintained and fitted out yachgt, was factory
built in Hamburg germany by a professional ship yard, in aluminium,
and was fitted out in holland by danish craftsman, a really superb
finish inside, luxurious!!!!
I am 61 yo, had my 60th here on nias last year,
married, with 2 duaghters. retired farmer and high school teacher.
short, 5'5", 63 kilos, strong surfer, likes the bigger waves, makes my
own surfboards.
Been sailing for 10 years now, mainly coastal stuff in australia, have
passed the coxswains exams in austrlia and have advanced safety at sea
and first aid certificates, all current and international radio
operators licence. Can navigate by charts, but use chart plotter and
previous tracks and radar in offshore passages. will not move yacht at
night or in low visibilty, always arrive early and anchor early.
Never had the anchor drag, seen plenty that have!!
check out my photoblog ..the link is
http://surfmachine-surfmachine.blogspot.com/
Pics of last 2 surftrips here....
http://photobucket.com/eloise_01
I am happy by myself , but would really like a hand to Sumatra and back to
Langkawi in Malaysis, so I am prepared to take on
a crew if they commit to the return passage. All the hard work has
been done now, for 6 months, time to enjoy and surf the amazing
uncrowded breaks around Sumatra.
*Surf Breaks*
The waves in the Banyaks are generally in the head-high to double-overhead
range. There are places that handle three-four times overhead conditions.
Generally, most people bring a standard shortboard and something with an
extra couple of inches, but it never hurts to be prepared for a bigger day,
especially in August, which is peak swell season.
*Treasure Island *- Known to be one of the best right-hand point breaks
in Indo, consistently offering up to four mesmerising barrels a wave with a
nice almond-shaped ripable face. This is one of the jewels in the crown of
sheer Indo perfection running a few hundred yards down a perfectly shaped
reef. Always a favourite amongst guests as it satisfies all abilities. A
taste of “Treasures” has you hooked for years to come.

*Indies 1 & 2 *- “Indies” get their names as being the outside breaks
and indicators for “Treasures”. These two waves are for the experienced
only and produce heart-pumping barrels over shallow reef. The bigger the
swell the better!

*Minis *- Located deep in the bay “Mini’s” is a playful right which
peaks up offering a short barrel and workable face which starts working on
larger swells as it picks up half the swell of Treasure Island.

*Gorillas* - An untamed right-hand beast that is rarely surfed and will
sort out anyone’s ego. If you are keen- make sure you pack your peanuts!

*Cobra* - A world-class left-hander which can produce an epic 8-10
second barrel or nice ripable face depending on swell direction. Cobra’s
clean blue lines peel down the reef into a channel, which can provide a
perfect photo opportunity.
*Warren's* - A fun right-hand peak opposite Cobra’s breaking over a
combination of reef and sand which can finish on the beautiful white sandy
beach.
*Turtle's *- A fun, playful left-hand peak which peels along finishing
on the beautiful white sandy beach. A great take-off and workable wall
which depending on swell direction can produce a nice barrel also -
*Clarets* - A beautiful long left-hand point which peels down the line
offering a perfect open workable face. You will be able to perfect your big
carving turns or hunt out the inside barrels.
*Joysticks* - A super fun right-hand peak which produces a perfect
barrel on the take-off going into a nice wall for some turns. If you have
enough speed you can link up into the inside bowl for a nice long ride.
*Toytown Lefts* - A perfectly shaped peeling left located deep in the
bay which starts to work on larger swells. You can cruise down the line or
hit the lip over and over again.
*The Pig* - A deep water right-hand break exposed to all possible swell.
Rarely below head-high and will give you some exhilarating drops and big
open faces.
*Migilas *- Located inside of “The Pig”, Migila’s is a right-hand peak
with a short perfect barrel on take-off and peels off slowly to the beach.
*Lizard's Nest* - Somewhat fickle but if the conditions come together
you will experience one of the best waves in Indo. Known to produce a magic
10-second barrel and any of those who have seen or surfed it are simply
awe-struck!
this is the inside right, can paddle to it from the yacht, or use the RIB
tender.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=M6O9-xwnEa8
Lagundri Bay, on the island of Nias, I anchored here for nearly 2 months in
2011, and had epic surf.

http://surfmachine-surfmachine.blogspot.com/
http://photobucket.com/eloise_01
Just booked my flights to Langkawi with airasia, was $204 aud from
perth to kl, and $35 uad from kl to langkawi, 30th april,2012.
All the best from Keith.
keithstirling at hotmail .... com

[surfmachine]

Any cruising surfers out there?

[dirkdig]

Hi Keith,

It's Harvey here still working on getting over there in my boat.
Trying to get a water maker sorted out and then the international registration and all going well we will be on the way ex Darwin in a few months.
Been reading your offer and it's a awesome opportunity for someone, I thought you would be flooded with takers to go surfing up there.
Will be reading your updates again with great interest.
All the best for great waves and following winds

Regards Harvey

[surfmachine]

Ahoy Harvey, wonderful news!

Lots of rain up in the tropics, but a water maker is a good back up. I have never used mine at all, too much trouble!

If you have an address in the UK, go for the small ships register, only costs 25 pounds and you can do it online!

Lots of offers and fender kickers and dreamers, but early days yet. Maybe the crew get scared because I ask for the costs up front for the first month? It does save a lot of tears though!

All the best with your plans Harvey and I will get the blog going again!

Fair winds from Keith.

[surfmachine]

Ahoy mateys. Thanks for your interest, I now have a crew from Perth joining me for the whole 5 months.
He is a keen surfer and holds a master class 5.
Fair winds from Keith.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by surfmachine

Ahoy mateys. Thanks for your interest, I now have a crew from Perth joining me for the whole 5 months.
He is a keen surfer and holds a master class 5.
Fair winds from Keith.

Keith,

I just posted a thread in Navigation about passage from Langkawi to Perth. It would be awesome if you could weigh in with an opinion. I respect your experience on the west side of Indonesia.

Cheers!

[wayne kimber]

hi keith
have you got your crew sorted yet ?
regards wayne

[surfmachine]

Ahoy Wayne.

Yes, the crew spot is filled.

Sounds like you have some more interesting times ahead of you?

It is a lot of very hard work doing this sort of stuff! Firstly, saving the cash to buy a decent "exploration" yacht, go alloy or a good steely, no fibreglass!!!

Then preparing the yacht and making it into a little "spaceship", as you are completely on your own and must rely on what you can carry and have the stamina and knowledge to deal with many, many seemingly insurmountable and life threatening crisis..... but the they all blur into the mists of distant memories as you pull into another perfect right hand section with the wave that clean you can see your face reflected in it as it pitches overhead!!!

Then getting the damned thing to a nice bay with a right hander and two lefts, then getting it out of indo again, back to Malaysia. But..... it passes the time and beats watching the TV?

You are correct Wayne, it is a very steep learning curve, and some very hard lessons to learn, sometimes the hard way! The last 8 years of my life, sailing solo, have been the most memorable years of my life, I can close my eyes and remember most any day, and your life is made up of memories, as grow older?

Every year there are several horror stories of sailors coming unstuck up around western sumatra, it is a real true life extreme adventure!!! you would know all about dramas in the night at sea, with your boating experiences??

I will update the blog when I start the next mission, in 9 days time, fly to the yacht on 29th april, for a minor refit then off for 6 months. I will contact you when there is an opportunity aboard the old Surfmachine.
Good luck with your plans.
Fair winds from Keith.

[annasmithf]

I included in my site satellite map of Banyak Islands Satellite images of Banyak Islands Indonesia Asia isle with videos and photos

[surfmachine]

Update on Sumatran cruise.
Well, the new crew has bailed, as the motor rebuild was taking too long. He did put in a huge amount of work and was in excellent good humour.

So, it turns out I need a new crew for the trip in July, maybe departing mid to late July 2012. The motor will be rebuilt within 7 days and then fitted to the yacht and back in the water in 2 weeks, mid July??

So, any surfers or adventurers keen on a three month trip to Sumatra from Malaysia and back, please get in touch with me soonish!!

Cheers from Keith.

[Mac attack]

Hi Keith ,sounds like a Great adventure,and a Good capt,I would love to have surfed and joined U but just got back from there after 3 mths away,I'm same age and if U post again later 4 an adventure any where give me a bell..Take Care Maca