Budyadahri Boat - Boat Specs

The Budyadahri was built by local Indonesians in 2001 and designed specifically for surf travel by Westerners. Thus, the Budyadahri is significantly wider and "taller" than your typical Indonesian charter boat. You will never find yourself crouching or squeezing through areas. In 2005 Sumatran Surfariis took over the running of the BD and the first thing we did was replace the entire hull with Indonesian hardwood to keep it strong and safe.

The modifications have kept on coming since. The sleeping area has been opened up into 10 bunk beds with a private room option for any couples. The beds have brand new spring mattresses, sheets, and pillows, and will easily sleep a 6’6” giant. They are curtained, with your own light, fan, power and storage area. There are 3 air conditioners to keep it super dingin and portholes to open for fart free living. We have opted to have the TV/DVD in the dining room to let the weary rest in peace behind closed cool doors. It's also nicely soundproofed from the upstairs party gang, making a sly escape pre dawn surf kip even more profitable.

The indoor dining room is kitted out with a large coke style drink fridge, food and drink self service area, dining tables, lounges, TV/DVD and stereo. Most meals are eaten here whilst watching the latest captured surf footage or movie.

Our upstairs outdoor shaded top deck is gold and makes the BD one of the best boats out there. Trust us, when your on a boat for 2 weeks you need room and we have more kick back space up there than most boats combined. This is an ideal place to hang out, grab a cold Bintang from the fridge, catch the cool breeze and watch your buddies surf whilst listening to your favorite tunes on the new banging stereo. On calm nights we often eat dinner here before the usual nightly Bintang session. For 2007, we’ve added about 4 meters of space on the upstairs stern, which include more board storage racks, space for stretching, and a fishing area for your pleasure.

In the off season we removed the old front tarp and replaced it with a new stronger frame and solid decking. We also just gave the BD an extra 30 square feet of kickback space. The guests love it. It’s perfect for the arvo happy hour sunset session, running back flips, catching the full suns rays or casting a few poppers. And we have recently put an extra two new speakers facing out for your added listening pleasure. Directly under the solid deck out of the sun there is room for 30 boards fully loaded to be stored. It also becomes the coolest place on the boat to hang or hammock because it catches the entire breeze and provides solid shade shelter. We may be bias, but there is no one that matches us for kickback space.

Budyadahri also has two brand new tenders; an 85Hp center console that can fit 10 and a smaller runabout rubber duck. We can tell you from ten years experience that not many of the boats run two tenders, and even fewer have a glorious 85Hp speed machine!! It’s such an advantage; we can still do the normal running in and out from the surf as well as send a group out to another break or for a fish or even a scurf. A super bonus indeed.

Out the back, the stern has been made 2 meters longer. That has opened up the fishing and kickback area quite a bit. There are 6 rod holders and storage for quick grab hand lines when the squids arrive or maybe some garries for live baits. The boat has two good boat rods and we are more then happy to run the guests gear. Casting rods are great with poppers or boat rods with rapalas and skirts doing the best.

We have two bathrooms, with showers, which is a major plus with large groups. The sides of the boat allow room for two to walk on by. Additional amenities include a new generator, winch, hull covered with grip tape for extra safety, full re-fit inside, new couches and kickback area. Hen our main deck hand is super handy filming; just supply the camera. He will also give you a massage when you want. Bujang the mechanic will fix your dings like new. Eddie cooks up a treat and loves when we catch a fresh fish for sashimi or a BBQ. Zul smokes all day looking cool, driving the main tender. Up the front Captain Barron with many years experience keeps us all safe, which is great to know when everyone else is nuts or on their way.

It should be a great year in 2007 and we really hope you'll come join us on the Budyadahri. We have done our absolute best getting her ready, and we reckon it's one of if not the best set up charter boat in the Mentawais. Be sure and check the schedule for the latest availability. Thanks!!

BOAT SPECS

Length (base of hull): 24m (80ft)
Beam: 5.5 meters (18ft)
Draft: 1.5 meters (7ft.)
Speed: 8-10 knots
Minimum group: 7
Max group: 10
AC: 2 in the sleeping quarters and 1 in the private room.
Engine: Twin Mitsubishi 240HP
Generator: 2 * 220v
GPS and Depth Finder: Furuno
Radio: SSB * VHF, hand held VHF, Satellite phone
Toys: TV, DVD, VCR, CD player in dining room, stereo upstairs for iPods, 2 boat rods, hand lines, spear gun, masks, snorkels and fins.
Sleeping Quarters: 10 passengers, 5 large bunk beds, 1 double for a couple.
Crew: captain, mechanic, cook, 2 general crewmates, guide or guides.
Tender: Centre console, with 85hp outboard: additional 4 person rubber ducky with 18hp.
Features: 2 bathrooms and showers, 2 hammocks, Large roof deck with tarp cover, fridge, stereo w/4 speakers, table and chairs, walk on front top deck (suitable for lauching kites), 2 ladders to go upstairs.
Flag: Indonesia

Southern Cross - Boat Specs

The addition of Southern Cross to our fleet back in 2002 was a bit unexpected and unplanned. Scuzz’s initial feeling at the time was that our two other vessels, Asia and Afrika, would be enough to meet consumer demand and allow for our ongoing exploration to the regions in Northern Sumatra. However, Om and his son Yandi, with the help of a few friends, had already begun construction on a new hull utilizing the knowledge they had gained from the previous boats and our many trips in the past. In addition, quite a few extra dollars had been put into this effort. After seeing the hull was already built and the family was putting all their effort into it, Scuzz was inspired and decided to join in. From the hull, the Southern Cross was built from the ground up with the specs and style we wanted for surf travel. This also freed up Asia entirely for Aki, who was already an expert guide in the Mentawais and quickly gaining expertise up North, and gave him the ability to travel far and wide and do more searching and pioneering on his own.

The Southern Cross is similar in layout and appearance to our other boats, but you really notice the extra breadth of the boat. It is noticeably wider and roomier than Asia and Afrika, which allows for lot of extra elbowroom when cruising about the decks, salon, sleeping quarters, and eating areas.

At the lowest level of the boat, you’ll find our spacious sleeping area that houses 8 comfortable bunks for our guests. There are large individual storage areas next to each bunk, which are great for storing clothes, books, camera equipment and some of your more delicate items. There’s also a nightlight for each bunk so you can keep reading even if everyone else is crashed out. In addition to the individual storage compartments, there are additional large storage units at both the front and rear of the sleeping quarters, which are good for storing larger and more durable items like your surf gear. The cabin also contains our TV, VCR, and DVD. It’s a great place to crank up the air conditioning after a long day of surfing and pop on a video, or hook the camcorder up to the TV and watch the day’s footage.

In addition to the 8 bunks downstairs, there are two individual private cabins upstairs. One of these cabins belongs to Scuzz, and last year he knocked down one of the walls to make his room a special “deluxe cabin”. Both rooms are great for a little extra privacy, and Scuzz has been known to offer up his larger cabin as a love nest for special couples wanting to stay together.

The Southern Cross boasts a huge shaded front deck which is a great place to relax and have a bite to eat, watch your friends surf, or pick up the video camera to capture some footage. Every day we bring out the big padded mats, so it’s also a great place to practice some stretching or take a nap. In addition to the downstairs shaded area, we have another large shaded area on the top level that doubles as one of our two main dining areas. We have a huge table with benches and chairs that seats up to 10 quite comfortably. There are two additional padded benches if you want to lie down or need some extra room expand after eating all the fresh fish you catch. This entire area is shaded, and it’s also a great place to eat at night when a cool breeze is blowing.

Our other dining area is in the main deck in the salon. Couches surround another large serving table, which is also the site where you hope you don’t roll ‘em off the table in the infamous Dice Game. Every morning, often before you awaken, the crew lays out several trays of fruits, eggs, breads, cereal, granola, milk, etc. – good energy producing food to give you fuel for your first surf. Eri your chef has his own self-contained galley, which enables him to weave his magic for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Southern Cross has picked up where Asia started, and truly become the pioneering boat for Northern Sumatra missions. Its 660 horsepower push the SC along at a good clip, enabling this boat to do more miles than any other boat in Northern Sumatra, easy. Southern Cross has discovered many waves and is well known by villages all over the island chain. With our ongoing relief effort, her name only strengthens. As a result, Southern Cross is often booked almost a year in advance (2006 was pretty much full by mid-2005). This shows the good name she has, so it’s recommended that you start planning a trip early if you wish to come aboard.

Southern Cross - Boat Specs

Length (base of hull): 23m
Beam: 5.2 meters
Draft: 1.9 meters
Speed: 9-12 knots
Minimum group: 6
Max group: 9
AC: 2 units national, 1.5pk cabin
Safety: life jackets, flares, epirb, sat phone, TIKI boat standing by, fire extinguisher, first aid kit
Engine: Twin Mitsubishi 6D22 330HP
Engine genset: 2 * ps 100hp, ts 20pk
Generator: 2 * 30 kva 230v – 240v 50 hz ac
GPS: Furuno
Radio: Icom 710 ssb
Fuel capacity: 10000 lt
Water capacity: 6000 lt
Sounder: dual frequency
Toys: TV, DVD, VCR, CD player, iBook, stereo, Bose speakers, iPod
Construction: local hardwood
Crew: captain, mechanic, cook, 2 general crew mates, guide
Tender: aluminum 4m – 2.5m Yamaha 25hp
Snorkeling gear: basic/limited
Fishing gear: 2 rod reels, handlines, gaff, belt
Features: 2 large shaded outdoor areas, 2 hammocks, indoor fresh water, shower and bathroom
Flag: Indonesian

Sumatransurfariis.blogspot.com

Welcome to http://sumatransurfariis.blogspot.com/, website to one of the longest running and most successful independent surf tour operators for the islands of Western and Northern Sumatra. For over nine years, we’ve continually brought surfers from around the world the adventures of their lives, and this has been done almost entirely without the use of outside booking agents. This allows us to have maximum control over the trips we deliver and the promises we make, as well as pass on savings normally spent on these agents to our guests. We are confident that pound-for-pound we deliver the best surf trips on the planet, and we hope you’ll come join us.

We are the sole operators of three charter boats: Southern Cross, Budyadahri, and Mikumba. All our boats are built in a traditional Indonesian style, which adds to the authenticity of your adventure. But they are also large and roomy, and equipped with all the modern amenities. In addition, we’ve partnered with Matt Cruden to provide trips on his boat, the Saranya. Along with Sumatran Surfariis and Martin Daly’s Indies fleet, Matt is one of the most experienced and highly regarded tour operators in these islands, and we are proud to be working with him.

Our boats travel to two main areas: the Mentawais and Northern Sumatra. Feel free to check out our Trips page to find out a little bit more about what separates these two very different yet equally amazing areas. The page also provides a good example of what a trip might look like from start to finish. We have also recently begun exploration to areas of Southern Sumatra as well, and though we don’t want to divulge and information at this time, suffice it to say there’s more out there. Many of our trips are booked over a year in advance, so be sure to check our latest dates and prices to make sure you get the perfect slot for your dream trip.

In April of 2006, we also opened our brand new surf and dive resort, the Aloita Resort and Spa. Situated on beautiful island just north of Tua Pajet, near Telescopes, Aloita is far more than your standard surf camp, and offers several options not available in any resort in Sumatra. The resort is ideally suited for couples, as each roomy air-conditioned bungalow provides your own private access to your own mile of private beach. Our Mondoblu Dive Center comes complete with a full range of well-maintained, top quality dive gear, and you actually have the opportunity to get certified if you stay long enough. Or, if relaxing is more your cup of tea, you can always take in our spa treatments or just relax with a cool drink at our waterside rotunda bar. But, if surfing is your main motivation, we are of course well equipped to accommodate you. In addition to the many waves in the immediate Telescopes area, guests have the option to chose our “Surfers Package”, which allows them to travel anywhere from the northernmost part of the Mentawais all the way down to Lance's (encompassing about 70% of the overall waves in these islands). Aloita stands out for the quality and variety of its amenities, but for the options offered and luxury delivered, it is by far the best value of any resort in the Mentawais.

We love what we do, and we love sharing our stories with fellow surfers around the world. Every month or so, Scuzz sends Slayer an update summarizing his latest trips and adventures throughout these islands. Formerly this served as our homepage, but now we’re devoting a special section to these updates called Skipper Stories. Recently, Shello, skipper for the Budyadahri, has been getting in on the act, so we’ll be adding his stories to this page as well. This is a great way for readers to keep on top of the latest conditions, to see how the season is progressing, and to view some of the latest photos of our guests in action. Also, be sure to check out our newly updated Photos page, which displays some of the best shots from the past couple years or so. More than just surf shots, we feel these photos show a good mix of what we’re all about and what it’s like to go on a trip with us.

We run our operations out of the beautiful Hotel Batang Arau, which sits right along the Muara river harbor, and right next to our own private dock. This lovely six-suite inn was a former Dutch spaarbank, and is now literally one of the nicest places to chill in Padang before or after a trip. It’s also a nice place to pick up an authentic Indonesian gift, such as a local woodcarving or piece of silver jewelry, which hotel President Christina Fowler hand picks and sources from local vendors. The hotel also possesses one of Padang's few Internet Cafes with high-speed access. After guests have had a chance to relax and grab a beer and bite to eat after their long plane ride, it’s literally about a one-minute walk from the hotel to your boat. You then will make the crossing overnight, and ideally awaken to perfect waves. :)

We are proud to say that we employ an entirely local Indonesian crew of 30+. Most of our staff lives in Padang year round, so we are here to oversee everything, to strengthen our business relationships, manage our contacts and inventory, and do everything necessary to constantly improve your surf trip. We are very proud of the unique mix of people that makes up the Sumatran Surfariis team. In addition to our local Indo crew, we like to think we’re the only company in this industry that was co-founded by a feral-in-hiding Aussie and a toothless master fisherman, with its own hotel and bar (and a pretty girl managing both), with two Japanese guides that double as sushi chefs, and with a heavy metal hell-gaffing Booking Manager/Web Geek managing the traffic. We are also the only company that has 2 Japanese (female) masseurs and fully accredited emergency room doctor that rotate amongst the boats in our crew. We think this unique mix just deepens the experience and helps to provide you with the adventure of a lifetime. We also care deeply about the local culture, and we are constantly looking for ways to give back to the community that has unselfishly given us so much. We were the first charter company to provide relief to the locals after the devastating quakes and tsunamis (you can read about all of our efforts starting here), and we have “adopted” the island of Bawa, where our new sustainable fruit and veggie garden is flourishing.

Sumatran Surfariis has lived and grown by word of mouth, and it’s only by delivering excellent trips that we will continue to succeed in the future. Please feel free to read what some of our past customers have said about us on our Testimonials page. We hope to share this wonderful experience with you. Please feel free to contact us for any information.

Seize the day - you won't regret it. Terima kasih!!